White substance around tank top

[juliethegr8t]

Well I've had this for awhile, but it keeps building up so I'm curious if I need to take action. Around the top of my tank (above water level) - mostly in the corners and edges where the filter and heater are - there is a sort of powdery, flakey white substance. It builds up, and is also on the bottom of my tank lid, especially obvious on the clear plastic area under my light. I'm assuming this is from something in my water, but I don't know what it is? Is this normal, and should I just clean it away and not worry about it? Or should I add something to my tank to prevent buildup like this? I don't seem to have either hard or soft water - according to the directions for my test kit I'm in a good range for tropical fish. Thanks for help

 

[val]

I had this sort of thing happen with my old tank. I still don't know what it was. What I do now, is I take my dish towels that I use for the tank and just make sure that no water collects above the water surface. Stop it before it comes. I would just clean it off and try to keep it away.

Valerie

 

[dolphin]

Hi juliethegr8t

Sound like a build up of minerals. These come from when your water evaporates.

 

[Calusa]

Calcium, or another mineral build up. My problem is/was Calcium. If it was going to be a while before I put fish back in a certain tank, I'd clean it off with CLR (Calcium, Lime, Rust remover).

Other than that, I'd suggest warm soapy water, followed by a good rinsing. I know everyone says *NO SOAP*, but I use soap all the time, whenever I'm scrubbing a tank down in order to prepare it for new inhabitants. As long as you run the water until there's no more suds, and make sure you hit every crack, I don't foresee a problem.

 

[Mogo]

Yep, it's just mineral deposits (most likely calcium). The simple way to remove it is with a razor blade.

 

[dolphin]

Hi

If you want to remove the deposits from any empty tank, use white vinagar.