Dark_Rider2k3

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!!

kra-z-fishmumm

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

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

COBettaCouple

API makes some cleaning stuff that's safe for an aquarium cleaning like that.

peacemaker92

Can you get some pictures of it? Then we can see the condition and how dirty it looks... Then maybe we can help?

Dark_Rider2k3

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

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kra-z-fishmumm

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.

Dark_Rider2k3

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

Lucy

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?

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...

kra-z-fishmumm

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?

Dark_Rider2k3

How much vinegar should I add?

I posted the worklog in the freshwater fish photos section since there are going to be a lot of pictures

here is the link:
http://www.fishlore.com/fishforum/fr...g-cleaned.html

kra-z-fishmumm

I use 1/4 cup of vinegar in a sink full of water,,,not sure how you would convert that for the tank lol

Dark_Rider2k3

hmmm haha idk.. i may just wing it tomorrow... i'll just wash the tank it thoroughly when I'm done

peacemaker92

Cool! The tank looks nice! Good luck!

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?

kra-z-fishmumm

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.

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...