Cleaning Tank

kayakATL;434696 wrote: Yall better take pix. Ansley, get that camera out between vinegar soaking. Anyone have luck with magic erasers and calcium deposits? I would really really like to have totally clear unfrosted glass. I let it soak in vinegar for over 12 hrs and NOTHING.

Sometimes what you think is a calcium deposit is actually etched glass. If you can't get it off with a safety razor, then it is probably etched glass.

I've had the same thing happen to me with glass tops on a FW tank. I thought it was mineral buildup, but the tops were etched.
 
Acroholic;434702 wrote: Sometimes what you think is a calcium deposit is actually etched glass. If you can't get it off with a safety razor, then it is probably etched glass.

I've had the same thing happen to me with glass tops on a FW tank. I thought it was mineral buildup, but the tops were etched.

Yeah, im sure thats the case, I just don't want to admit that. I have been in denial about it since the tank went up and the razor did nothing. I keep finding more excuses to go bigger...
 
Acroholic;434688 wrote: Ansley,
I would save youself al lot of unnecessary elbow grease and do it this way: get a spray bottle and fill it with straight vinegar. Spray down the inside of the tank, glass and overflows. Let it sit 10-15 minutes, spray again, wait 10-15 minutes. Repeat several times. Then go in with a plastic scraper. 99% of the algae will be so loose it will come off easily. Rinse the tank out with cold water, then check for any remaining coraline. Hit those spots with straight vinegar again like above, then rinse again.

Let the acidity of the vinear do the work for you.

You can clean the tank on the stand if you have a siphon hose to get the excess water/vinegar/coralline dust out of the tank. I'd use a Python.

Use an acrylic safe scrubber for the plastic overflows. Mr Clean Original spot erasers are totally reef sale. No chemicals. It is a foamed plastic micro abrasive pad. No added chemicals. Just make sure you get Original, as they have a couple variations with added chemicals.

I've cleaned many tanks on the stands this way.
Dave
Thanks!
The main issue with the tank being on the stand is that the altogether height is about 6'3" to the top of the tank and trying to reach the bottom of it even on a ladder would be a super PITA..
I got 2 gallons of vinegar so I should have enough to get it going..
 
DrNecropolis;434704 wrote: Thanks!
The main issue with the tank being on the stand is that the altogether height is about 6'3" to the top of the tank and trying to reach the bottom of it even on a ladder would be a super PITA..
I got 2 gallons of vinegar so I should have enough to get it going..

Whatever works for you. After all the vinegar and scraping, you usually have a ton of junk on the bottom of the tank. I just fill the tank with tap water to several inches deep, then use a hose to siphon the solids out to the garden or drive or wherever. Just don't use the hose attachment on the python (if you use one), as it gets clogged. Just a straight shot hose siphon. That will let the larger partiles siphon out without the hose getting clogged.
 
I think I am going to be working late tonight... I really don't want to help clean this thing out... LOL. No, Just kidding. I will probably be doing all of the work!
 
MrsNecropolis;434734 wrote: I think I am going to be working late tonight... I really don't want to help clean this thing out... LOL. No, Just kidding. I will probably be doing all of the work!
Doing all the work?
:lol2::lol2::lol2:
 
Well I got a good bit done today... Still got a decent amount left to do.. Going to grab some magic erasers in a few minutes..
Thanks to Cliff for bringing me the shop vac!
And John for helping me get it off the stand..


Btw, Jamie still hasn't posted a build thread.. blow up that pm box people!!!
(MrsNecropolis)
 
ok everybody, at exactly 9:30 tonight blow up that PM box of hers.
heck doc just give out her cell number we all can just start calling it
every 30 seconds until she gets er done.
 
haha!!! She is typing it up right now. Well.... reading it to me before hitting submit... Im on my ps3.. come on up Barry.. I have an extra Magic Eraser....
 
I got about 90% done..... killed a magic eraser already.. Still got 1 more.. That should be enough to finish it up though.... Jamie took some pics so I will get them posted in a few minutes... The sump could benefit from some eraser attention though...
 
i now what you mean about the tank to high . mines so tall i clime my step ladder then clime on the bar top to reach in to mess with stuff i always bang my head lol.
 
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