overflow turnning white

[bowhunterj]

Anyone ever have trouble with overflow turning white ? I've tried to clean it but it wont come off. seems like salt build up , but its a new build of only 2 months. the rest of the tank is good , cycled already just got over a diatom bloom, didn't last very long 2 weeks maybe .But that white on the overflow drives me crazy. when I cleaned it some came off so now it looks worse. Hopefully coralline grows over it. any help would be app.

 

[kfisc]

Maybe it's calcium deposit on the acrylic, which gathers in warmer places, such as near a hot light source. Harmless unless it's blocking the flow.

 

[CStrickland]

Can you take a pic?
Could be salt creep but that should easily wipe off with a damp rag.

 

[Tanthaitrung]

You can soak in vinegar in few hours

Hope this helps
Khanh

 

[bowhunterj]

thanks, but can't soak the whole thing in the tank? maybe just the center part that comes off to clean?

 

[Tanthaitrung]

If you have a container that is a little bigger than your overflow, just soak a half, after an hour or two then up side down. Or just soak the part, that you want to be clean. I guess, after an hour your overflow will be clean

Khanh

 

[Egg]

Check this out.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-07/rhf/index.php

 

[bowhunterj]

I don't understand what you mean? it's the whole corner inside the tank, the overflow.

 

[bowhunterj]

overflow turning white

overflow turning white

ok, here is what i'm dealing with ,as you can see I cleaned the center piece somewhat. Not sure what else I can do. it won't scrub off . hopefully it will cover with coralline.

 

[djbon]

As long as it doesn't leak, crack or breaking into half, there is nothing to worry about. It will be covered with coralline algae or other stuff anyway.

 

[CStrickland]

Hmm. It's not salt creep if it's under the water. I doubt it's precipitation because that will generally focus on warmer parts like pump motors and thermometers, or the spot where you're dosing into the tank. I'm kinda leaning toward it being something growing. It looks like that area gets decent light so it could be baby coraline, or some other thing.

I'd just try not to look at it for a while and see what it turns into if you leave it alone for a week. If you do remove it, make sure you are using a product for acrylic. Old credit cards are good scrapers if you don't want to buy a fancy one, a cheap toothbrush works, and some people swear by the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser (make sure you get the plain one, no added scents or chemicals).

 

[A sea K]

Hmm. It's not salt creep if it's under the water. I doubt it's precipitation because that will generally focus on warmer parts like pump motors and thermometers, or the spot where you're dosing into the tank.

Not a practice I would endorse but some people will put heaters in the overflow which would contribute to the precipitation in that area.

 

[Tanthaitrung]

I don't understand what you mean? it's the whole corner inside the tank, the overflow.

Sorry, I misunderstand it's overflow box. If your overflow has space for scraper, it will help.

http://m.marinedepot.com/products/4f54601/flipper-aquarium-algae-magnet-cleaners

I think a heater can't help. Your tank looks young, it takes months for growing coraline. You can glue some mushrooms, zoanthids to cover it.

Hope these help
Khanh

 

[xanthurum]

Toothbrush, no idea what the issue is but I bet the answer is toothbrush.

 

[Entacmaea]

LOL Xanthurum. Love it.