|  | 
June 20th, 2008
|
| | Fish Keeper
| How to clean an old tank (55gal)
I just got a very awesome 55 gal aquarium with a stand for 50 bucks on Craig's list!! I still am needing to get the hood/lights, but she has them for me for an additional 40 bucks, so i'm all set (the lights are practically brand new too!!)
My question is this:
Currently, I am removing the seals on the tank to put a new coat of aquarium sealant on it (it was leaking in a lot of spots so i decided to do the whole bottom of the tank ya know?). Afterward, the tank needs a good cleaning. It has all this... gunk on it.. almost like it's been used for a SW tank (which I don't doubt it has.. the glass looks cloudy and almost like algae, but it's not.. don't know how to explain it.. the bottom of the tank is also like this..)
so, what can I use to clean the tank? I know soap is poisonous to fish, so any tips/suggestions?
I keep moving up in size LOL.. but this tank is very nice, and the stand is nice as well (though not as good as ones you can get in stores.. but hey! I don't mind at all..)
thanks everyone!! | 
| | |
June 21st, 2008
|
| | Fish Keeper
| HI!
Have you scraped at it, scrubbed a little, etc... to see if it is hard to remove? lol You might just have to use the combo of a glass scaper and pad to get it off, plus a little good ole' fashion elbow grease. Good Luck  | |
| | |
June 21st, 2008
|
| | Fish Keeper
| no I didn't, as I was afraid of scratching the glass and making it more ugly lol..
i'll try it tomorrow  | |
| | |
June 21st, 2008
|
| | Master Of Fish Poo!
| API makes some cleaning stuff that's safe for an aquarium cleaning like that. | |
| | |
June 21st, 2008
|
| | Fish Mentor
| Can you get some pictures of it? Then we can see the condition and how dirty it looks... Then maybe we can help? | |
| | |
June 21st, 2008
|
| | Fish Keeper
| yup here they are!
I have the top off as well.. it was very loose so i took it off to re-seal it on | |
| | |
June 21st, 2008
|
| | Fish Keeper
| Quote:
Originally Posted by Dark_Rider2k3  no I didn't, as I was afraid of scratching the glass and making it more ugly lol..
i'll try it tomorrow | I meant the scraper you get at the fish store. It does a nice job getting hard water residue off the top inside of my tank and I haven't noticed any scratches. I saw that API cleaner at my LFS,,, if you try it let us know how it worked! It doesn't look that bad!  Maybe they left it outside at some point. I agree it looks like salt, or it could be from hard water.
Last edited by kra-z-fishmumm; June 21st, 2008 at 02:46 PM.
| |
| | |
June 22nd, 2008
|
| | Fish Keeper
| hey!
The tank/stand was not left outside, so I'm guessing it is hard water... I wanted to say salt, but i really doubt it..
I'll be getting the API stuff tomorrow (hopefully). The sealant says it takes 48 hours before I can add water (gah!) so tomorrow I will be doing another water test of it and if all goes well, then I'll start cleaning it.
I know what you mean now (about the scrapers). I tried one that I had, but it won't easily come off....
I am posting up a work log of the tank in a sec too... I have the top on and it looks even better | |
| | |
June 22nd, 2008
|
| | Moderator
| I know vinegar takes hard water stains off. I've never used it on an aquarium before so I don't know if it would be harmful to the future occupants.
Any thoughts on this, anyone? | |
| | |
June 22nd, 2008
|
| | Fish Keeper
| I just looked that up online, and someone asked that on yahoo answers. 3 different people answered that they use it in their tanks to clean them out (obviously when there is no fish present).
I would assume if you do that, you have to apply the vinegar to a scrubby pad (or the glass) and scrub at it, then rinse it thoroughly... | |
| | |
June 22nd, 2008
|
| | Fish Keeper
| Quote:
Originally Posted by Dark_Rider2k3 I just looked that up online, and someone asked that on yahoo answers. 3 different people answered that they use it in their tanks to clean them out (obviously when there is no fish present).
I would assume if you do that, you have to apply the vinegar to a scrubby pad (or the glass) and scrub at it, then rinse it thoroughly... | Well, if the seal holds, the easiest way would be to fill it and then add the vinegar to the tank,,, let it sit for awhile and then wipe the sides. I clean my clear glasses and bowls this way (in a sink full of vinegar water). Rinsing it shouldn't be a problem, drain the vinegar, then fill about a third of the tank, sloshing etc... do this a couple of times.
Where did you post the work log? | |
| | |
June 22nd, 2008
|
| | Fish Keeper
| Quote:
Originally Posted by Dark_Rider2k3 | I use 1/4 cup of vinegar in a sink full of water,,,not sure how you would convert that for the tank lol   | |
| | |
June 23rd, 2008
|
| | Fish Keeper
| hmmm haha idk.. i may just wing it tomorrow... i'll just wash the tank it thoroughly when I'm done | |
| | |
June 23rd, 2008
|
| | Fish Mentor
| Cool! The tank looks nice! Good luck! | |
| | |
June 23rd, 2008
|
| | Fish Keeper
| Thanks a lot!
Today I finished painting the stand, and water tested the aquarium. The tank has a VERY small leak spot that is an easy fix, though it's not really losing any water.
I also am trying to remove the hard water residue, though this is not so easy. I tried the white vinegar... no luck.. I tried scraping it.. no luck...
any ideas? | |
| | |
June 23rd, 2008
|
| | Fish Keeper
| Quote:
Originally Posted by Dark_Rider2k3 Thanks a lot!
Today I finished painting the stand, and water tested the aquarium. The tank has a VERY small leak spot that is an easy fix, though it's not really losing any water.
I also am trying to remove the hard water residue, though this is not so easy. I tried the white vinegar... no luck.. I tried scraping it.. no luck...
any ideas? | Did you let the vinegar water sit for a while? It needs/ takes time for it to work. If it didn't, use more vinegar, but be sure to let it sit for a few hours. | |
| | |
June 23rd, 2008
|
| | Fish Keeper
| Okay i'll try more vinegar haha... I only let it sit for like.. an hour.. so maybe that's why...
oh, and does anyone know about that CLR stuff? calicum lime remover? Is that harmful to the tank? I know that gets rid of stuff like this with ease... but i don't need to poison my fish LOL
edit:
Well it was about to rain, so I went to check to see if the vinegar was working, but it wasn't... when I wiped down the sides nothing happened.....
I had to drain it and get it inside... it's about to thunder/lightning...
Last edited by Dark_Rider2k3; June 23rd, 2008 at 03:57 PM.
| |
| | |
June 23rd, 2008
|
| | Fish Keeper
| Quote:
Originally Posted by Dark_Rider2k3 Okay i'll try more vinegar haha... I only let it sit for like.. an hour.. so maybe that's why...
oh, and does anyone know about that CLR stuff? calicum lime remover? Is that harmful to the tank? I know that gets rid of stuff like this with ease... but i don't need to poison my fish LOL
edit:
Well it was about to rain, so I went to check to see if the vinegar was working, but it wasn't... when I wiped down the sides nothing happened.....
I had to drain it and get it inside... it's about to thunder/lightning... | Hmm, I would be nervous trying the CLR, it is hard to rinse off (imo), but hopefully someone else has a idea! | |
| | |
June 24th, 2008
|
| | Fish Helper
| Hey buddy did you try vinegar and NEWSPAPER that might do the trick newspaper is really good stuff to clean tanks with we use vinegar and newspaper to clean all glass things down at the pet store i work at. give it a try and tell me how it went. | |
| | |
June 24th, 2008
|
| | Fish Keeper
| wait newspaper?
Explain please LOL | |
| | |
June 24th, 2008
|
| | Fish Mentor
| Ok, weird...  How can the vinegar not work? Do you know where the tank has been before you bought it?  | |
| | |
June 24th, 2008
|
| | Fish Keeper
| I don't know but I feel like i may be doing it wrong or something (though it's just my guess that i am...)
Here is what I did (with the vinegar):
1. Filled tank up completely with water
2. Added in vinegar
3. Waited like.. 2 hours..
4. Got a scrubby pad and scrubbed at the walls
Maybe i'm not using enough vinegar.. I might just dump in like.. a lot of the vinegar I have... I have about 1/4 of it left... so let me know if that's too much...
The tank has been in a closet they said. They were going to use it but never did.. and now they are moving and had to sell it.
edit:
The water I am using is also pretty cold.. it's not hot water.. is that another reason why it's not working? | |
| | |
June 24th, 2008
|
| | Fish Addict
| Hi Dark_Rider2k3,
Its probably not water marks as a mixture of vinegar and 2 drops of detergent will remove them (mix together in a spray bottle; spray at water marks; leave it for a while; then scrub). We have used it successfully.
It could be scratches. See below. http://www.ehow.com/how_2053620_remo...rom-glass.html
Good Luck.
Last edited by zeebo; June 24th, 2008 at 10:02 PM.
| |
| | |
June 24th, 2008
|
| | Fish Helper
| maybe take a look at this?
I dunno man, hope you get it figured out. That could be a real nice tank. | |
| | |
June 24th, 2008
|
| | Fish Keeper
| Hey Zeebo!
Thanks for that idea. I am going to try the spray bottle method now.
I can guarantee that it is not scratches. If you look @ the pictures, it definitely isn't scratch marks...
edit:
I didn't notice your post TZ (sorry). Thanks for the link to the lime-off. If none of this work I'll get that stuff..
I just sprayed off the inside and am going to leave it... gotta run to the store so it should be ready when i return...
edit2:
spraying vinegar with the drops of detergent directly on the glass, and then scrubbing did not work 
Last edited by Dark_Rider2k3; June 24th, 2008 at 01:56 PM.
| |
| | |
June 24th, 2008
|
| | Fish Bum
| clr will get it off but i'm almost positive it will harm your future fishes unless you are abosolutely sure every bit is removed.. i personally don't think it's worth the risk.... i'm not sure if leaves a residue behind or not. | |
| | |
June 24th, 2008
|
| | Fish Helper
| Newspaper is the best stuff for glass it shines and doesnt leave a mess. the vinegar should be at room temp. when you use it. | |
| | |
June 24th, 2008
|
| | Fish Addict
|
Last edited by zeebo; June 24th, 2008 at 10:42 PM.
| |
| | |
June 25th, 2008
|
| | Fish Keeper
| Thanks, i'll try them as well..
This is getting really frustrating lol... I tried scraping it some more with my dad and we both came to the conclusion that it's not coming off with any of the scrapers or razors that we have...
i'll try the other things, next, and then if that fails i'm going out to get the stuff made by Jungle...
this is crazy LOL.. it's the only thing stopping me from setting the tank up | |
| | |
Similar Aquarium Fish Forum Threads 
