30 gallon saltwater tank specs

[playa0069u]

Ok here we go guys, I am hella p*ssed. There was a 29 long at the thrift store for 15 bucks, I went to go get it the next day, gone, OF COURSE!!!. I REALLY REALLY want a long, because of the lighting issues. How bad would it be to do a standard 29 (tall) instead?

[harmanrk]

You ca get premaid fixtures for a 30 inch tank, or make you own so that should not be an issue. As for the thrift store tank, was it used? I dont think I would use a used take for a marine tank, unless someone could prove the history of what had been in it.

[RWalston]

If you have any doubt what was in the tank I would strongly recommend cleaning it first. By cleaning it I mean with acid. Nitric Acid works best but hard to get at a store so Hydrochloric will work just fine. Acids dissolve metals (copper). You need to add 6.3ml of acid to 900ml of water stirring as you ad the acid. Then dilute to 1000ml this will make up 0.1N HCl let the tank soak with the acid solution for about 2 hours then rinse well. After rinsing mix up some baking soda with water and let the tank soak for 2 hours then rinse well again. You will be fine.

[playa0069u]

thank you so much

[RWalston]

Just remember acid into water makes water. water into acid makes acid.

[playa0069u]

is that expensive to make? I mean is the nitric acid expensive?

[RWalston]

Muriatic Acid (pool acid) is HCl and is very inexpensive. You can buy it at a pool supply store or a grocery store.

[playa0069u]

Oh I thought I had to buy nitric acid? thanks for all your help so if I buy some HCI then what do I do with it. please be patient with me lol

[RWalston]

You want to dilute the acid to a 0.1N solution (point 1 normal solution). You need to add 6.3ml (milliliters) of acid to 900ml of water stirring as you add the acid. Once you have done that then dilute to 1000ml this will make up 0.1N HCl (this will make 1 ltr of 0.1N HCl. Let the tank soak with the acid solution for about 2 hours then rinse well. After rinsing mix up some baking soda with water and let the tank soak for 2 hours then rinse well again. This will neutralize the acid that may still be present in the tank. Just remember acid into water makes water. water into acid makes acid.

[playa0069u]

ok ill see what I can do thanks alot man.