Old Tank CLeaning.... Pics Uploaded

[dhavalsp]

Hi,

So finally i got a new old tank ;-)....it 29 G....the problem is after cleaning it has left a milky layer on the glass surface which dissapears when i put some water on the surface.

Basically it will go away when i fill the tank but clarity will be affected.

Can anyone please tell me how can i get rid of this milky layer???

Thanks.

Dhaval

[supadave]

I've removed this in several ways . One way to remove this is to use a product called CLR . It works good but after you use it ...you will have to clean the tank really good . If you don't want to go the chemical route....you can always use a lemon . Split a lemon in half and rub it all over the area that you want to clean . Let it dry and redo with the lemon again and scrape area with a razor blade . Lastly , you can also use Vineagar and use it the same way as described for the lemon .

[nacra99]

+1 on all the above.
Any acid will work. The stronger the more effective in removing calcium buildup, but the harsher it will be on your skin.

[dhavalsp]

+1 on all the above.
Any acid will work. The stronger the more effective in removing calcium buildup, but the harsher it will be on your skin.

Hi,

Can I use Stronger Acetic acid or HCL or Sulphuric acid with appropriate dilution for this purpose...also Can you suggest the concentration, percentage of acetic acid...Vinegar has 4% acetic acid...

I think one of my friend can get me strong acids from his lab...

Thank you.

[nacra99]

Well... i hesitate to suggest a concentration because quite frankly i have never actually measured the H+ concentration of the stuff i use.
I have used seachem's "acid buffer" dissolved in distilled water and soaked it in a rag, then placed the wet rag over the calcium buildup and let it sit for about an hour or so. After an hour i removed it and took a toothbrush to it and all the bits of calcium just flaked off.
I know the concentration was probably more than 4% acetic acid because when it touched my skin, it made it all red and gave me a mild burn.
Use rubber gloves if you are going to use anything more than vinegar, then rinse everything well with tapwater to buffer away the acid.

But i had a major major calcium buildup problem, that it was forming huge crystals under the plastic rim of my tank. Your case doesn't seem like it is as bad.

Personally, i would try it with just plain old white vinegar first and see what happens. Soak a rag generously and let it sit on the calcium buildup for a bit. Sounds like your "milky layer" is quite thin and vinegar of pH 2-3 should do the trick.

[supadave]

Well... i hesitate to suggest a concentration because quite frankly i have never actually measured the H+ concentration of the stuff i use.
I have used seachem's "acid buffer" dissolved in distilled water and soaked it in a rag, then placed the wet rag over the calcium buildup and let it sit for about an hour or so. After an hour i removed it and took a toothbrush to it and all the bits of calcium just flaked off.
I know the concentration was probably more than 4% acetic acid because when it touched my skin, it made it all red and gave me a mild burn.
Use rubber gloves if you are going to use anything more than vinegar, then rinse everything well with tapwater to buffer away the acid.

But i had a major major calcium buildup problem, that it was forming huge crystals under the plastic rim of my tank. Your case doesn't seem like it is as bad.

Personally, i would try it with just plain old white vinegar first and see what happens. Soak a rag generously and let it sit on the calcium buildup for a bit. Sounds like your "milky layer" is quite thin and vinegar of pH 2-3 should do the trick.

+1

[Sea-agg09]

I've used vinegar to remove calcium on several tanks. It works quite well. Vinegar also washes out easily, though having a small amount in your tank isn't bad. I've used it to lower the pH on tanks that require low pH. Lemon juice would be my second choice.

[Dow]

Vinegar and one of those Magic sponges with the big muscley dude on the box? I forget what they're called. They don't damage the glass or anything and they work really well.

[dhavalsp]

I tried using 10% acetic acid...Dissolved Glacial acetic acid(100%) in water in 50ml:500ml ratio. It didnt work. I had kept the solution for 3 hours on one glass and 1 hour on other glass and tried scrapping with blade. but it was of no use.
Do you think Vinegar will make a difference???
I will give it a shot neways.

P.S. Please provide info regarding Magic Brush.

Thanks

[Dow]

Mr. Clean Magic eraser. =)

[dhavalsp]

Pics of the tank after using 10% acetic acid... :((

Next I am planning to try baking soda. If that does not help I will use magic eraser. But guys do you think these marks will go?
photo3.jpgphoto2.jpgphoto.jpgphoto0.jpgphoto1.jpg

[Dow]

0.0 wow. Id try vinegar bath with baking soda and magic eraser.

[JAYGEE]

Also a Razor Blade should scrape some of it off

[dhavalsp]

Off to walmart to get these things....thank yall....will let you know if i strike any luck or else u ll see a post "WTB 29 or 55G"...

[Fishobsessed]

I’ve always used apple cider vinegar for hard water stains.. Just make sure you rinse or clean the tank well!!!