Tips On How To Get Glass Clean

[ThePiggy]

Someone gave a 30 gallon glass tank to me and I have been working on getting it refurbished to look like new. The sealant was old and leaky, the glass was dingy and coated with something white that doesn't come off very easily.

I have washed out the entire thing with just water and a sponge to get as much of the white stuff off as I could like that, but there are still lines where it looked like the water sat and evaporated away for a long time.

Does anyone have any tips or tricks on how to get it out? Also, what chemicals are safe to use on the glass?
Thanks for any help anyone can provide!

 

[ThePiggy]

Can anyone give me some advice?

 

[matchstickman47]

yeh ... a scourer or the harder side of a kitchen sponge will get that stuff off in a jiffy

 

[ThePiggy]

That is what I was using, and it didn't get it all off. It removed most of the thick parts, but there are still white lines on the glass. The sponge I used had a plastic mesh around it for getting at stubborn spots.

 

[matchstickman47]

if your talking about water marks ... use a dry sponge ,,, it will work ... scrub harder

 

[ThePiggy]

I'll try the dry sponge, thanks.

 

[matchstickman47]

a wet one just makes more water

 

[ThePiggy]

I just tried scrubbing hard with a dry sponge for 10 minutes and there is no change in the marks. I tried with a more abrasive sponge and that didn't work either. I'm afraid to try something even more abrasive because I don't want to etch the glass.

Isn't there a chemical or something that is safe to use if I rinse the tank well before using it? I've heard of using vinegar, is that safe to use on the inside of a tank that I will be using to keep fish in?

 

[Sean W.]

elbow grease and a razor

 

[ThePiggy]

hmmm, shave my tank, interesting idea.

 

[Mr Bliss]

Vinegar is safe to use, but I've always had problems getting rid of calcium/magnesium deposits with vinegar. This works better: Buy a lemon, cut it in half, rub the stains with lemon. Apparently the chelators in a fresh lemon help dissolve the stains (better than simply using acid, e.g. vinegar).

 

[ThePiggy]

I <3 science!
Thanks, Mr Bliss

 

[timbruun]

Best way i found is to use a razor. just make sure you use it flat and at an angle. I had my 90 gallon clean in 15 mins doing it that way. And the buildup was everywhere.

 

[Tory]

Vinegar is safe to use, but I've always had problems getting rid of calcium/magnesium deposits with vinegar. This works better: Buy a lemon, cut it in half, rub the stains with lemon. Apparently the chelators in a fresh lemon help dissolve the stains (better than simply using acid, e.g. vinegar).

I second thay, Ive just used vinegar to clean a tank that had all sorts stuck to the sides - even the white stuff that looks like scratches - the lemon idea is also good

 

[squdge]

I've recently had the same problem, used a scourer, dipped in white vinegar, then dipped in bicarbinate of soda, and some elbow grease!!! rinse well afterwards but the deposits came off really well and it's fish-safe.