Second hand tank : Question about soap.

[Cinderwolf]

Okay so here is the story. i got a 5 gallon tank from my friend. She used to keep a terrarium for snails in it. So when she gave it to me she said she washed it... I grimaced and asked if she use soap to which she replied " Yeah but only a tiny bit of dawn and I rinsed it really well. It should be fine "

So I did some Google searching about getting all the soap out of tanks and I couldn't find a conclusive sure fire way.. Now, before you just tell me to go out and buy a new one.. i am tight on budget and would really love to be able to use this one..

So I heard that a vinegar bath then rinsing it beyond belief would do the trick. But I don't want to chance it.

has anyone dealt with this before? Do you know of ways to get all the soap out of the tank? .. If cant be a be all end all.. I mean lots of people have probably made the mistake and I don't think they would throw away a good tank ..

Is there a good way to test if the tank is safe after all this rinsing.. I dont want to chance putting my fish in there if I am not 100% sure..

[Cinderwolf]

any one? I am new at this fish stuff.. I dont want to make a mistake...

[wolfiegreen]

Not exactly sure what to do if soap is used. What i'd say try is sit it in the tun fill it up with hot water and a bit of bleach let it sit over night and pour it out in the morning rinse until you don't smell the bleach smell. Set it up use a bit more water conditioner then told to and let it run for about a week or more. Or just rinse it with hot water a few times make sure you do NOT see any suds and then set up. Thats about all i can tell you :/

[Cinderwolf]

I am not filtering it... just gonna be doing 100% changes weekly. was thinking of boiling water to rinse it with and then just letting the shower run for like an hour filling it up and letting it over flow. I can do bleach in the boiling water part ... Maybe I should ask her if she has one without soap : P

[thekoimaiden]

Vinegar will help cut any remaining soap. But I think your best bet is just to rinse and rinse and rinse and rinse. And if you still have any doubts do a little vinegar rinse.

[Cinderwolf]

Originally Posted by thekoimaiden

Vinegar will help cut any remaining soap. But I think your best bet is just to rinse and rinse and rinse and rinse. And if you still have any doubts do a little vinegar rinse.

Okay, thats what I was thinking. Rinse for a logn time, and a vinegar rinse then rinse for more time ( just gonan prop it up and spray the shower head in it lettign the water run out.. for a long time : P

Any ideas for figuring out if it is safe?

[Oldfishlady]

The vinegar will cut any soap residue and then a good tepid water rinse for the vinegar.....

Look forward to pics once you get it setup....

[Cinderwolf]

Originally Posted by Oldfishlady

The vinegar will cut any soap residue and then a good tepid water rinse for the vinegar.....

Look forward to pics once you get it setup....

Awesome okay. Vinegar and water it is.

I am actually thinking about getting a sponge filter and cycling it. Gonna try to get it started tomorrow.