We have acquired a used tank from some family members, and I am unsure of how to clean it properly. As far as I know, it used to house some freshwater fish.
We are going to use it for our semi-aquatic turtles. What is the best way to clean it and to kill any icky things that still may be there?
Should I go and buy something at the pet store to do it, or are there any good household tips?
Thanks!

__________________
<3 Tessa

0.0.2 painted turtles (Mo and Squirt)
1.0.0 yellow bellied slider (Jebidiah)
0.1.0 Amelanistic corn snake (Rose)
1.0.0 Hog Island/Colombian Boa (Kah)
0.2.0 Colombian Boa (Jasmine) and her baby(no name yet)
1.0.0 Suriname Boa (Kayne)
0.2.0 Cats (Lilly and Reese)

I usually use a little bleach diluted in water.
Make sure to give it a good rinse out afterwards.

I'm not sure if that is safe for turtles though. Since there will be water reintroduced.

__________________
Mike
"Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time, and always start with the person nearest you." - Mother Teresa

Yeah that's what I was thinking. I know that I can't just rinse it out, it has to be CLEANED.
I just found this:
How To Clean an Aquatic Turtle Tank | eHow.com

Does anyone know if white vinegar and baking soda are really okay to use?

__________________
<3 Tessa

0.0.2 painted turtles (Mo and Squirt)
1.0.0 yellow bellied slider (Jebidiah)
0.1.0 Amelanistic corn snake (Rose)
1.0.0 Hog Island/Colombian Boa (Kah)
0.2.0 Colombian Boa (Jasmine) and her baby(no name yet)
1.0.0 Suriname Boa (Kayne)
0.2.0 Cats (Lilly and Reese)

Never heard of using those, but I know a ratio 1 part bleach to 10 parts water will do the job. Just wash it out thoroughly and you are good to go

__________________
Critters Owned

2 Bearded Dragons (1 Male/1 Female) (Il Duce & Guenevere)
6 Fire Belly Toads
Several Tropical Fish
3 Cats (2 males/1 Female) (Garfield, Tiger, & Avalon)
1 Cockatiel (Female ) (Hinky)

Critters Wanted

2 Horned Lizards (Horny Toads) (1 Male/1 Female)

I'd go with the 1/10 bleach solution. And rinse thoroughly.
If you still smell bleach rinse again.
Turtles, though aquatic, still have tough hides. They aren't like frogs or fish.

__________________
Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

The 1-10 bleach solution is your best bet. Just rinse really well and let it sit for a day to dry and evaporate. If 1-10 is OK for frogs, its OK for turtles.

__________________
My name is Liz
Do what's best for the animal, not what's best for you.

yea, 10% bleach solution, and a razorblade.

You don't need to use bleach!!!!!!!!!!!!!! White vinegar will do whatever you need. Use a razor blade to scrape off any algae or hard water stains, then rinse with a vinegar solution. Don't put baking soda in it as that will just neutralize the vinegar. Vinegar is an acid and baking soda is a base, combining them neutralizes them. You don't want to use bleach because you don't have to, it can be harmful if you don't rinse it out properly and that can be hard. I say go with vinegar.

I use bleach then let it in the sun since bleach is clorine, it gets cleaned and then the bleach goes away. I still rinse but there is no need. I use it in all my fish tanks even when I first buy them.

Yup, all you need to do is let it sit a day or two, and all the harmful chlorine evaporates. Not saying that vinegar doesn't work, its just an alternative.

__________________
My name is Liz
Do what's best for the animal, not what's best for you.