Cleaning a tank

[merkywater]

If I am cleaning coralline algae off glass (starfire glass) and the tank is dry should I fill the tank up with water and let it sit like an hour or so? Kinda let it soak and loosen it up then scrape with a razor blade?

Any other suggestions?

Thanks
Nate

 

[sharkbait]

Do a vinegar bath...

 

[stacy22]

I would spray it with a vinegar/water solution and let that soak in. The acetic acid in the vinegar should loosen the calcium carbonate deposits of the coralline algae.

 

[stacy22]

ICEMAN beat me to it

 

[sharkbait]

stacy22;607628 wrote: ICEMAN beat me to it

Whatever you do though do not scrap the glass dry. Always have the glass wet before you scrap anything. Especially starfire glass...

 

[fish scales2]

Starfire glass is bit softer than normal annealed glass so be careful not to scratch. Vinegar is the best option as mentioned but make sure there are no sand granules present as well.

 

[misu]

vinegar and magic eraser

 

[sharkbait]

Although to be honest I would go ahead and set the tank up and run water through it. The coralline will just be transfered back to calcium and once your ready you can just scrap the coralline like you would normally anyways.

 

[merkywater]

So I do not have to fill the tank up with water just spray heavly with vinegar and water solution? Also we talking 50/50 solution?

Thanks for all the replys!

 

[misu]

both work, if you spray you can do straight vinegar, filling it with 50/50 may get expensive if it's a big one

 

[merkywater]

ICEMAN832;607640 wrote: Although to be honest I would go ahead and set the tank up and run water through it. The coralline will just be transfered back to calcium and once your ready you can just scrap the coralline like you would normally anyways.

Well I probably would do this but I think this person had Hair algae in tank at some point looks like there are some remnants still on the overflow cover so I would like to start with a clean tank.

 

[sharkbait]

merkywater;607642 wrote: So I do not have to fill the tank up with water just spray heavly with vinegar and water solution? Also we talking 50/50 solution?

Thanks for all the replys!

I have always gone with a 50/50 dilution. Just spray and let it sit for a couple minutes and then spray again, wait, then scrap away.

 

[merkywater]

thanks Bogdan

 

[merkywater]

Cool deal Iceman I will try a 50/50 spray first if it doesn't work straight vinegar.

 

[jcook54]

I tried this and didn't let it soak in long enough. I didn't scratch anything but it was difficult at the start and got easier as the solution started doing it's job.

 

[merkywater]

cool thanks! I think I will spray let it sit, spray again let it sit and spray one more time and sit for minute and scrape. I definitely want to be careful with the starfire glass.