What else can I use to scrape the calcium build up?

[jbjints]

Hello:

I haven't had a chance to set my tank up as of yet due to work, studying for nursing boards, family, etc. but I am still preparing. I tried the vinegar trick and I am just not able to get the calcium buildup scraped off. I am putting elbow grease into the cleanup but it is just not working because the calcium is caked on. Is there anything else out there that I can try?

Thanks,

Joe

 

[KathyC]

Vinegar is the very best thing - any chance you can turn the tank on it's side and let it soak in the vinegar before you wipe it off?

 

[jbjints]

Here is a link to the calcium buildup I am dealing with:

http://www.manhattanreefs.com/gallery/showimage.php?i=32362&catid=member&imageuser=238

 

[jrobbins]

I would just leave the stuff on the overflows. It will come off on its own once the tank is running. As for the glass, i find that a metrocard works pretty well.

 

[jbjints]

I have been too busy with work and family to finish the work required to set my tank up but I have a question regarding the buildup.......my wife told me that yesterday my mother in law tried cleaning the Coraline buildup off with CLR cleaner.......

Here is a link to the cleaner: http://vandelay.hubpages.com/hub/Dangers-of-CLR-Cleaner

Is this CLR stuff trouble?

Thanks,

Joe

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

I would not use this stuff in a fish tank. Make sure you thoroughly clean the tank now. It may cause you problems down the road.

White vinegar works great to clean off the coraline algae.

 

[Treef]

you can try dobie pads. I use them to scrape algae off the glass. just be careful not to get sand between the pad and glass, hasnt happened to me but I assume it would scratch your glass.

 

[jbjints]

I was planning on leaving the Coraline but now I am worried that the CLR my mother in law used without asking me first will cause me major problems down the road. If I was to wipe the tank down with white vinegar would that kill the CLR?

I will deal with the Coraline but I am more so worried about that CLR.

 

[skene]

fill the tank with water and drop in a jug of vinegar and put a pump in there for circulation... if anything... leave it for a few days... then just hope for the best.
otherwise... it may be safer (sound mind) purchasing a new tank.

 

[Frank@Wall]

I did the same thing that Skene has suggested. I filled the tank and dumpped 2 gallons of white vinegar in the tank with poerheads circulating for 3 days. It came right off.

 

[Mattl22]

Also glass scraper from home depot

 

[AsphaltPays]

Try a Mr Clean Magic Eraser original kind only

 

[Turbovr3six]

^^ what he said.

 

[ming]

fill the tank with water and drop in a jug of vinegar and put a pump in there for circulation... if anything... leave it for a few days... then just hope for the best.
otherwise... it may be safer (sound mind) purchasing a new tank.

Probably the best suggestion if you must get it off the overflow walls. The more vinegar you add, the quicker it'll loosen, but you may want to put saran wrap or something cause the vinegar smell will go all over. As long as you completely empty, then rinse out the tank after the vinegar is out, there shouldn't be any issues. Even is you miss a little unintentionally, worse case is a bacteria bloom and drop in pH which will normalize during cycling.