5gal tank

[blackace22]

i was given a 5 gal tank today and it has been sitting up for a while and was wondering what is the best method of cleaning a tank 

[Beannie]

The best way of cleaning it is to first put your fish(s) in cups, with the old water. Then rinse the aquarium in hot water, with a cloth that hasn't had anything on it like soap. Then rinse the gravel, decor, plants, filter, heater, etc. in hot water also. And for the gravel use a little bit of salt. Then put the gravel, decor, and plants back into the aquarium. Fill the tank with water, and put the water treatment in. Then put your thermometer in and make sure it is the same temp as before. Then put your heater, and filter in and get those running. Lasty put your fish(s) in. Hope this helped!

[Yipee]

I think the tank is empty. Take a cloth to wipe off any dust first, then fill it up to check for leaks before starting to scrub using a sponge. Any detergent is deadly to fishes so you shouldn't use them.





Edit: If you do really have a leak(common in old tanks), use an aquarium-safe silicon sealant to seal it up and let it cure before filling it up with water again. Just follow the instructions on the package for the silicon sealant.