225 lee mar with dirty glass

[vmacisback]

I recently picked up a 225g that I prepping to move into the house. The prior owner had a rock wall on the back glass that was leaned up against plastic light deflector that we reefers usually use for frag racks. It did a pretty good job of putting white sploches on the glass that look like cal. Build up. I soaked the tank in a water and vinegar mix butmstill cant get it off. I then tried a small amount of acetone and that didn't work either.

Any ideas?

It does seem to be some type of build up from over time.

 

[zaheda]

I had a similar problem 10 years back with the tank glass looking like yours. I tried everything but nothing worked.

 

[Rploaded]

Try soaking a paper towel in straight vinegar, then just lay it on a section of glass. Press it down lightly and wait 30-40 minutes. Whatever is underneath should then wipe off. If not we can progress to something with a bit more kick.

 

[BonsaiNut]

Go to the hardware store and buy some CLR (calcium/lime/rust) remover. That is the brand name "CLR".

If that fails you can always try straight HCL (hydrochloric acid) that you should be able to buy from a pool supply store. A gallon should cost only a few bucks. Use only a drop or two at a time and see if it bubbles - it should react with and dissolve the deposits.

Needless to say, be REALLY careful with the acid. Use eye and hand protection. Do not let it get on exposed skin. Never dilute acid by adding water to the acid. ONLY dilute acid by adding the acid to water.

 

[DaveMorris]

I have never had a problem getting stuff like that off with a single sided razor blade. Thay work great on glass tanks.

 

[vmacisback]

Try soaking a paper towel in straight vinegar, then just lay it on a section of glass. Press it down lightly and wait 30-40 minutes. Whatever is underneath should then wipe off. If not we can progress to something with a bit more kick.

I tried this method, didnt work. Im thinking whatever is on the glass may be more than just Cal. build up.

 

[vmacisback]

Go to the hardware store and buy some CLR (calcium/lime/rust) remover. That is the brand name "CLR".

If that fails you can always try straight HCL (hydrochloric acid) that you should be able to buy from a pool supply store. A gallon should cost only a few bucks. Use only a drop or two at a time and see if it bubbles - it should react with and dissolve the deposits.

Needless to say, be REALLY careful with the acid. Use eye and hand protection. Do not let it get on exposed skin. Never dilute acid by adding water to the acid. ONLY dilute acid by adding the acid to water.

Trying the CLR today, I will let you know!

 

[fazio92]

I had this happen to a tank I bought and tried everything from vinegar, muriatic acid, cerium oxide polishing, etc.. and nothing worked. Come to find out the coraline actually etched the glass, even though it felt by touch that it was on the outside. I had a professional glass restoration guy come and work his magic. After several hours from working up from light, medium, heavy polishing compounds, he finally had to use an abrasive grinding pad to buff out the microns of glass to get the blotches out. I have 3/4" glass all around, so i wasn't worried about a few microns. After a few hours i had a brand new looking tank! If it wasn't for that glass guy, I would have had to shell out over 2K just to replace 2 of the starphire panes, not including reinstalling!! Saved me a ton on money and stress.

 

[vmacisback]

I had this happen to a tank I bought and tried everything from vinegar, muriatic acid, cerium oxide polishing, etc.. and nothing worked. Come to find out the coraline actually etched the glass, even though it felt by touch that it was on the outside. I had a professional glass restoration guy come and work his magic. After several hours from working up from light, medium, heavy polishing compounds, he finally had to use an abrasive grinding pad to buff out the microns of glass to get the blotches out. I have 3/4" glass all around, so i wasn't worried about a few microns. After a few hours i had a brand new looking tank! If it wasn't for that glass guy, I would have had to shell out over 2K just to replace 2 of the starphire panes, not including reinstalling!! Saved me a ton on money and stress.

Think it's time to call the glass guy, I tried everything today.