Cleaning Used Tank?

[peachlids]

i have a 75g, used tank i obtained from my bf when he bought a tank/stand set up for the stand for his 75g, the tank has white tuff crusted on the top, makes me mad to look at, and im constantly looking at it, what would be the best way to get it off, if possible, since it seems to not be loosening up and the algae eater can't remove it. :[

 

[Aquascaper]

Sounds like calcium deposits (unless it was a marine tank then it would be salts). Use vinegar to break it up and a sharp blade to remove.

 

[peachlids]

oh t he joys of vinegar, thanks!

 

[peachlids]

you can see the slight haze at the top, about a 2.5 inch water line it seems.

 

[Aquascaper]

If it stubborn try soaking paper towels in vinegar and leaving them on top of the marks overnight (will obviously need to drain the tank down bit first).

Was the waterline kept lower for a while?

 

[peachlids]

well im due for one more 15-20% water change so im guessing when i do that i can try and safely clean it while the water level is down, what are the risks of vinegar if it, lets say, drips into the water? i really dont want to have to remove the water or the fish, they have settled finally and now this line is the only thing i can focus on.

 

[creeker]

I would just use a single edged razor blade and scrape it off. I do the same for stubborn algae.

 

[peachlids]

If it stubborn try soaking paper towels in vinegar and leaving them on top of the marks overnight (will obviously need to drain the tank down bit first).

Was the waterline kept lower for a while?

im guessing it was by the previous owner, like i said we got the tank as a freebie with an $80 dollar stand for another 75g, didnt realize i would start to get into cichlids and seascaping more than my bf, and now he has the nice newer tank :[

well im due for one more 15-20% water change so im guessing when i do that i can try and safely clean it while the water level is down, what are the risks of vinegar if it, lets say, drips into the water? i really dont want to have to remove the water or the fish, they have settled finally and now this line is the only thing i can focus on.

we initially took a razor blade to the entire edge of the tank hoping the water would help the last bits, alas no success

 

[Aquascaper]

Razor blade alone won't touch it. If vinegar drips into the tank it's not a huge issue as long as is distilled white vinegar as that's the purest.

 

[peachlids]

Razor blade alone won't touch it. If vinegar drips into the tank it's not a huge issue as long as is distilled white vinegar as that's the purest.

awesome, thanks, i used white vinegar and water to clean the carpet, our tanks both reached extremely high ammonia levels after we realized the carpet had pet damage