Calcium deposits on tank

I have never tested the hardness of my aquarium water; however, I am having issues with calcium deposits around the top rim where the water line is. How do I remove this with the fish in the tank? Normally with other household items I would use vinegar. Is this safe for fish? The fish I keep prefer hard water so im not worried about them so much as the appearance. Is there a way to slightly reduce the calcium in my tank so this stops occurring?

 

I have never tested the hardness of my aquarium water; however, I am having issues with calcium deposits around the top rim where the water line is. How do I remove this with the fish in the tank? Normally with other household items I would use vinegar. Is this safe for fish? The fish I keep prefer hard water so im not worried about them so much as the appearance. Is there a way to slightly reduce the calcium in my tank so this stops occurring?

No not really if you want the hardness to stay the same. I have hard water too that gets on my lids that I have to clean for the light once in awhile. The only thing I would say is keep the water level up to the rim unless its rimless then good luck. It a tough thing to remove and I wouldn't get vinegar in the water.

 

If it's a glass tank, a razor scraper might do it but it'll still look a touch hazy. You can get the haze out with a wet green pad after you scrape it. Be careful scrubbing so you don't tidal wave your tank. I have soft water so I haven't had to do this with fish in but have a couple used salt water tanks that I handled that way. Make sure you keep your green pad clean, a grain of sand and it's a scratchy event.

 

I guess being OCD about the water level has saved me some ugly water lines over the years. I only get it on the lids.

 

I guess being OCD about the water level has saved me some ugly water lines over the years. I only get it on the lids.

This is one of advantages to a sump, nano sump, or other top draw filter systems. You decide where the water line is when you build it, then, you're stuck with it.

 

Ugh I was hoping there was an easier way ive been using a scrubby pad but even that doesnt get it all. I did some research and found API makes a "pillow" to remove calcium. Ordered from amazon. Hoping it works. Anyone have any experience with this? I also ordered the GH KH test kit since I dont know exactly how hard my water is..

 

Well I received my GH KH test kit and followed the directions for GH. I got up to 19 drops in the test tube and it still didnt turn green, I gave up... Safe to say my water is liquid rock.. I added the API pillow to the filter and will check it again in the morning. Hoping it comes down some.

 

Kh number though? It's the one that starts orange, turn green, then orange.
* Wrong thread, there's another one out there waiting on a gh/kh kit for a different reason lol. Still curious though if you'll test it(for curious sake).

The pillow thing is a neat product, let us know if it seems to help. You could put it in a run a drop check once a day and let us know how it does .

 

KH took 15 drops so that measures between 200 and 400ppm