Neglected 'office' Tank

[NonstickRon]

One of the execs here inherited an office with a nice 10 gallon (I think) tank/hood/biowheel setup with no fish in it. Its halfway full of water, the rest evaporated and overfull of tank deco. The hood/filter/back of the tank are thickly crusted over with a yellowish white crud. Like wicked nasty crusty. What is that? I'm trying to talk him into letting me have it for my office, so wondering if this is something easy to clean up or if it's more serious.

 

[Sunny_Bee]

I have the 'wicked nasty crud' accumulate on my tanks after salting, that may be what it is, or it could be from hard water. If it's the same kind I'm thinking of, it comes off pretty easily

 

[tangokitty]

Vinegar should tank off the crud.

 

[NonstickRon]

Pretty sure it was a fresh water set up when it was being used. Could possibly be calcium but its much to crusty/gunky for that I think. Looks a bit like baked on cheese.

 

[Sunny_Bee]

My tanks with the gunk were freshwater as well, I think it may be calcium. Either way, go for it, set the tank up

 

[NonstickRon]

My tanks with the gunk were freshwater as well, I think it may be calcium. Either way, go for it, set the tank up

I've asked the guy three times about it so far. He keeps telling me he doesn't care but has to ask the guy who used to have the office before him. I really doubt that guy gives a damn about it or it wouldn't look the way it does, besides he was our company lawyer but started a branch business and works from home now. I just need to keep buggin the new guy I think. hehe

 

[NonstickRon]

Bugged that guy to bug the other guy again today. Told him if he asked him tonight and he said yes I could come in over the weekend and clean it all out.

 

[NonstickRon]

SCORE!!!

I now have one very very filthy complete setup sitting on my office carpet. I'll probably only have to buy new substrate and a new filter wheel/media.

Turns out its more like a 5 gallon, with a curved front, but its perfect for my desk. fine.

Going to take this one slower and try to do it fishless.

EDIT: I'm going to have to find new homes for some of these tank decorations. They take up about half of the space i nthe tank, its small enough to begin with. hehe

 

[NonstickRon]

Good golly that was a lot of work. I got most of the gunk off. Was lime build up after all. Man, our water here is scary. lol

The filter was totally caked with the stuff, the entire interior surface...the intake tube is lined with it still. I'm not sure whether to even bother trying to use it...not when a new biowheel filter would only be about $20 in the size I need. Even the filter and biowheel that was on the filter has lime build up.

 

[dthoffsett]

I've found a paste of baking soda and a little water with lots of elbow grease will get the mineral deposits off. After I'm done scrubbing I pour some vingear over it to get rid of all the baking soda.

Besides, who doesn't like watching it foam up.