Sterilizing a tank

[Mcor]

Hi all, a little advice please!

I have a little 5 gallon tank which has been sitting empty for a while. I'm thinking of getting it up and running to have a betta in it. Any good tips for cleaning/thoroughly sterilising it as there was a little bit of water left in it after it was emptied and I'm sure there's been some bacterial growth in it. Do I attempt to sterilise the gravel or chuck it? Also I'll need to get a heater for it so any suggestions as to what wattage etc ill need for a small tank of that size?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Obsessedfishlover]

Hi all, a little advice please!

I have a little 5 gallon tank which has been sitting empty for a while. I'm thinking of getting it up and running to have a betta in it. Any good tips for cleaning/thoroughly sterilising it as there was a little bit of water left in it after it was emptied and I'm sure there's been some bacterial growth in it. Do I attempt to sterilise the gravel or chuck it? Also I'll need to get a heater for it so any suggestions as to what wattage etc ill need for a small tank of that size?

Thanks in advance!

Well one thing is if you sterilize DONT USE SOAP!!!!! I would get rid of the used gravel because it may have some kind of bacteria that's not a good way to start off your tank.another thing is if you are afraid of that bacteria there is stabilizing liquid that helps to get the right bacteria in the tank and the wrong bacteria out. It Truly helped me for which I never lost a fish the first month of my set up. Also usually the heaters say on the box what tank size it's meant for. If you could post a pic of that empty tank it would be great so I can see how it looks. One more thing if you are using that stabilizing liquid you only have to add some for a week then you are ready!!

 

[Mcor]

Here's a photo for you. (It's my sons tank before you have a right giggle at me). Thanks for the help!

 

[Ian086]

Here's a photo for you. (It's my sons tank before you have a right giggle at me). Thanks for the help!

You could fill it up with a water/bleach solution and leave it for a day or two. A 10(w)/3(b) ratio would do the job, then a good scrub with a sponge and rinse really well, with warm(not hot) water. I use my shower. The gravel, as was said already, i would chuck that and use sand. Finally, paint the back with black or dark blue acrylic paint. It'll look really cool.....

 

[Mcor]

Excellent, thank you!