hard water/ dried algea

[snowrat2004]

i just got a 15 gallon tank from a neighbor, but it is in desperate need of a cleaning. i was wondering if there was any easy way to get the hard water stains off (im guessing that is what it is). the white lines go all the way down the tank ( i think all the water evaperated in the tank), and there is dried algea all over the glass too. i havent tried to do anything yet, i was thinking of steel wool, but i think that might scratch the glass. anyway i thought id come see if there was an easy way, that is safe for fish.

 

[Hazmat]

This is how I clean my coral in my tank. I have a 5 gallon bucket fill it with water put in the coral and add a half a gallon of Clorox bleach. let it soak for 20 to 30 min. Then empty the bucket fill with water again and add a half a bottle of Dechlor and let it sit for about 45 min. Then I rinse of with water hose. They come out bright white when done. I'm sure you can do the same thing with your tank. Just remember you MUST use the Dechlor It kills all the bleach off. I get the Dechlor from my local fish store. You also might want to do a little scrubbing.

Good Luck
Hazmat

 

[Inchworm]

Hi Snowrat2004

It sounds like you have a real big mess on your hands. But, it's not going to be as hard to clean as it seems.

Get some white vinegar and one of those plastic or nylon scrubber pads. Don't use steel wool or anything metal. Put the tank in the sink, or on some newspapers and pour the vinegar on it. The vinegar will dissolve the dried up hard water marks and the algae should come off with it. After a little while, rub the area with the scrubber to loosen and remove it. If you do it a little at a time it will be easier to manage.

When it is finished, be sure to rinse the tank very well under running water.

Please let me know how it turns out.

 

[snowrat2004]

hey thanks, i used vinergare and with a little scrubbing it look like a brand new tank. now all i have to do is figure out what to put in it.

 

[Inchworm]

Hi snowrat2004

I'm glad the vinegar worked for you.

Now, here's a trick to use if you buy any used equipment at yard sales, etc. If you find one that looks nasty from hard water stains, you can usually get them to come down on price by complaining about how hard it will be to clean up! Of course, you know it won't be!

It works for me.......

 

[snowrat2004]

they acually gave it to me for free they were moving and asked if we wanted anything in their shed. and i grabbed the tank. it has a leek in it, along one of the corners so i have to go buy some of that stuff (cant remember the name) to seal it up.