Cleaning question

[snulma1]

Hey guys, trying to find info for this and I am stuck.
Got a second hand water box aquarium and have been cleaning it.
Noticed on one panel there is a white film that I can't get off.
I tried water, vinegar, citric acid, Magic eraser, 0000 steel wool, and nothing seems to work.

It's only on one panel, which is weird. Everything else came clean with vinegar.

I am stuck, does anyone have any other suggestions?

 

[Scrubber_steve]

Try tooth paste with a cloth.

Or car paint cutting compound.

 

[Michael Hoaster]

If you aren't able to get it cleaned, could you designate that panel as the back panel?

 

[snulma1]

Try tooth paste with a cloth.

Or car paint cutting compound.

I could try toothpaste.
Not sure I want cutting compound in the tank.

 

[snulma1]

If you aren't able to get it cleaned, could you designate that panel as the back panel?

Unfortunately it’s a frag tank and the designated space for it puts that panel as soon as you walk in the room.
Maybe it’ll clear with water in the tank?:strange:

 

[Scrubber_steve]

I could try toothpaste.
Not sure I want cutting compound in the tank.

The tanks dry isn't it?

 

[snulma1]

Yes it is

The tanks dry isn't it?

 

[snulma1]

Toothpaste didn't work either.

 

[five.five-six]

Barkeepers friend. You’re welcome.


If that doesn’t work, it’s 2000 grit wet dry sand paper and a lot of elbow grease.

 

[snulma1]

Is that safe and not going to scratch the glass?

Barkeepers friend. You're welcome.


If that doesn't work, it's 2000 grit wet dry sand paper and a lot of elbow grease.

 

[five.five-six]

Is that safe and not going to scratch the glass?

Yes, BKF is safe but it leaves a lot of chalky residue. You did say glass right?

Apply some BFK paste and work it a bit, if after you clean it off it has helped, soak the whole tank in it for a week. If not, you probably have etching and it's 2000 grit which works great even on an up and running tank with hard water deposits. I spend an hour or 2 on my eurobrases with 2000 very few months.

 

[snulma1]

I tried the BKF without improvement.
Wouldn't it be weird to only have etching on 1 pane of the tank?
I guess I'll try the 2000 wet sanding.
Do you use your hand for that or powered?

Yes, BKF is safe but it leaves a lot of chalky residue. You did say glass right?

Apply some BFK paste and work it a bit, if after you clean it off it has helped, soak the whole tank in it for a week. If not, you probably have etching and it's 2000 grit which works great even on an up and running tank with hard water deposits. I spend an hour or 2 on my eurobrases with 2000 very few months.

 

[five.five-six]

I tried the BKF without improvement.
Wouldn't it be weird to only have etching on 1 pane of the tank?
I guess I'll try the 2000 wet sanding.
Do you use your hand for that or powered?

I'd use a sanding block for a big area by hand. I wouldn't power it.


Perhaps that pane isn't low E or something or not tempered. I'm not a glass expert.

 

[Vinny Kreyling]

I've seen that before on starfire glass. Etched by electrolysis & beyond repair save replacement. Even hydrochloric acid had no effect.

 

[snulma1]

It's weird because when it's wet the haziness goes away.

I've seen that before on starfire glass. Etched by electrolysis & beyond repair save replacement. Even hydrochloric acid had no effect.

 

[billdogg]

I was going to suggest straight muriatic acid (outside, with gloves, eye protection, and clothes you don't like anymore) Turn the tank so that side is down and pour a small amount on the glass. Leave it set for about 5 minutes and rinse well. It should be bubbling away while you wait. If it's some sort of a deposit on the glass that should take care of it. If the glass is truly etched, you'll either have to learn to live with it (easiest), sand it down (difficult) or disassemble the tank and replace the panel (probably not worth the effort IMO)

That the haze goes away with water leads me to think that it is etched rather than encrusted. I'd learn to live with it or find another tank if it were me.

 

[snulma1]

while its irritating I'm sure that I can live with it.
Thanks everyone for the help and ideas!

I was going to suggest straight muriatic acid (outside, with gloves, eye protection, and clothes you don't like anymore) Turn the tank so that side is down and pour a small amount on the glass. Leave it set for about 5 minutes and rinse well. It should be bubbling away while you wait. If it's some sort of a deposit on the glass that should take care of it. If the glass is truly etched, you'll either have to learn to live with it (easiest), sand it down (difficult) or disassemble the tank and replace the panel (probably not worth the effort IMO)

That the haze goes away with water leads me to think that it is etched rather than encrusted. I'd learn to live with it or find another tank if it were me.

 

[Michael Hoaster]

If the haze goes away with water aren't you good?

 

[snulma1]

Maybe, but what if it gets worse?

If the haze goes away with water aren't you good?

 

[five.five-six]

Maybe, but what if it gets worse?

we'll all be dead from coronavirus by then.