How to clean calcium/ mineral deposits on tank?

[norcal99]

I just recently picked up a used 25 gallon glass tank that was completely caked with who knows what... i'm guessing calcium buildup, mineral deposits, etc. Basically there's white gunk on the outside of the tank that's caked on the surface in some areas that I've been trying to clean off with very limited success. I've tried just a good scrub pad, scrub pad with windex, and just tried CLR but nothing seems to be working. Anyone have any suggestions to clean this white crud off??

 

[yoshiod9]

razor blade? that's what i use to clean any out-of-the-water glass tanks.

 

[Sk8r]

White vinegar. Fill the tank with water, and run a pump with the vinegar in there. Or do it in a rubbermaid tub if you can submerge the whole tank. Maybe dump a whole gallon into a bathtub with the tank.

CLR scares me. I hope you can get all of that stuff washed out.

 

[Reefugee]

Are you sure it's calcium deposit? If it is, I am surprise that CLR didn't remove it.

I like Sk8r's idea of soaking the tank in an acid solution. However, don't use white vinegar. By that time you dilute it, the concentration will be so low that it will take a long time. Go to Home Depot and purchase Muriatic Acid in the pool section. The muriatic acid is VERY concentrated, so when you dilute it in water, it's still has a low pH. Use caution when handling muriatic acid - such as don't inhale the fume, and add the acid slow to water to avoid splashing. BTW - Muriatic acid is HCl, so it's safe for your tank. Remember, water is 50%H and salt is 50% Cl (by ions). So those ions won't hurt you tank if there is any residue left over.

Minh

 

[norcal99]

Well I think I'll give white vinegar and lemon a shot before trying muriatic acid. Problem is that the crud is on the outside of the tank, so I need fo find a tub large enough to "dip" the tank in. Thanks for the advice, I'm getting antsy and want to transfer the contents of my 10 into the 25!

 

[maynor]

Hello Mihn, is nice to see you around here sir.
A birdie told me that you tied the not. CONGRATULATIONS and ALL THE HAPPINESS FOR THE THREE OF YOU and ANY ADDITIONS THAT MAY COME!

Norcal99,
I have had excellent results dealing with white vinegar. What I do is soak old towels/rags in the vinegar and then place them on top of the areas where I want to desolve the mineral deposits, I let them sit there for a few hours and then I come back and just wipe out the stuff. I don't even need to scrape.
When I didn't know about the vinegar trick, I would scrape the tanks and at the end, I would find my little projects distroyed. Now days all I do is soak in vinegar and I am done.

This has just been my experience and I hope it helps a little.

My best regards to every one!

 

[Reefugee]

Thank Maynor. BTW - great idea with soaking old towels with vinegar.

 

[maynor]

It has worked well for me in the past, so I hope it helps.

Slow down with those fingers Maynor and make sure you read what you wrote before hitting the "Submit Reply" box!
Sorry for the Mihn instead of Minh, Minh! I already told Maynor to slow down and check what he writes. LOL

You are a good guy Minh and I wish you happyness!