Used Biocube... Help cleaning Class

[reefarchitect54]

Sorry Glass...

Guy gave me a 14g BioCube that he let sit with water in a 1/3rd of the way up for like 6 months... Tried scrubbing with a glass safe sponge.. Still a faint line where water was in some spots... Any Ideas????

Thanks

 

[IndexKey]

+1 on the water vinegar mix, should dissolve those hard water spots away in a jiff.

John

 

[reefarchitect54]

Any idea on the ratio???

Thanks

 

[reefarchitect54]

Any idea on the ratio???

Thanks

 

[reefarchitect54]

Any idea on the ratio???

Thanks

 

[Arizonah13]

50/50? The vinegar won't hurt the tank. Just rinse it out well when you're done.

 

[IndexKey]

You could even do pure vinegar if you wanted. That'd just be really expensive. Just make sure it's white vinegar and you're good to go, and be sure to rinse to the point that you can't smell it anymore, then let it dry. You'll be golden.

John

 

[reefarchitect54]

Sorry for the multi-post

 

[Agu]

Lay the tank down and prop up the open end ever so slightly, put a paper towel over the offending area, and dribble enough undiluted vinegar into the tank to soak the paper towel. Rotate the tank and repeat as necessary. If you're careful it'll take one paper towel and a half cup of vinegar .

 

[firebirdude]

Vinegar is cheap. Use it undiluted. It won't hurt the tank nor inhabitants in the future. Also keep in mind that some things may not be visible once water is in the tank. So don't stew if you can't get every last mark off.

 

[reefarchitect54]

Thanks to everyone who posted there comments and directions for the vinegar method. I will be doing this soon and will post my results... Cant wait to get this cleaned up. I had just gotten a 14g myself and then this one fell in my lap. I'm thinking I will set it up in another area of the house or even my office. I just started a thread (Big A's 14g BioCube) on my other 14g that I will be filling with saltwater, sand, and rock here very soon..

Thanks Again!

 

[StevenSinger]

Any Updates?

 

[reefarchitect54]

OK so I tried to clean the glass and was somewhat successful. I was not able to clean it completely but today when I filled up with water to rinse and check for leaks I did not notice the water marks that are faint but still there.

However, now I have a new issue. I have a small leak in the back 3rd chamber of the biocube. I'm looking into how to fix this. I drained and dried the inside of the tank and am thinking I will grab a tube of all glass silicone tonight and just run it over all the seals to that rear chamber. The leak was very slight. I mean its a few drops a min or so. It's not bad but I'm thinking over time it will get worst if I don't at least reseal all the seams. Is it OK to just reseal over the top of the existing seal just to strengthen the seam? I know its not the recommended process but I do not want to completely remove the old seal as it is not that bad. Is it OK to do this?

 

[firebirdude]

We're ARE talking about leaking to the outside of the tank correct? Not just from chamber 2 to 3 or the display?

 

[reefarchitect54]

Were talking about water leaking from the main display back into the 3rd chamber area.

 

[reefarchitect54]

It is minimal but it seems like I should do something now and hold off on adding water for 24-48 hours to let it set up... Unless its not a big deal???

 

[firebirdude]

pshhh I wouldn't even sweat it. If you want to run some silicone over the area, go for it. But it's really no big deal.

Also note the min and max water level lines are meaningless. Most everyone runs the water level much higher. Maybe your leak will be underwater anyway.

 

[reefarchitect54]

I think the leak its about midway up the tank. I'm just worried that this might develop into a bigger issue. Like the whole seal giving way which would negate the water flow threw the filter chambers. Water is supposed to come in chamber 1 got into chamber 2 and then into chamber 3 to be returned to the display. If people think this is no big deal I will just set my rock and add sand and water tonight However I have it empty right now so figured it was prob. worth the 2-3 days it will take to let the silicone dry...

What do we think?

 

[firebirdude]

I understand how the Biocube works. I've owned one for 3 years.

Silicone it up. It's easy and if it gives you peace of mind, then so be it.

But like I said, you'll probably have water more than half way up the 3rd chamber. Pressure will be about equal and very little, if any, water will slip through the leak. And though you're afraid of the leak getting bigger...I doubt it's just going to let loose one day. I really wouldn't sweat it.

 

[reefarchitect54]

I understand how the Biocube works. I've owned one for 3 years.

Silicone it up. It's easy and if it gives you peace of mind, then so be it.

But like I said, you'll probably have water more than half way up the 3rd chamber. Pressure will be about equal and very little, if any, water will slip through the leak. And though you're afraid of the leak getting bigger...I doubt it's just going to let loose one day. I really wouldn't sweat it.

Did not mean to go into an in depth description of how the BioCube works but just wanted to be clear. Thanks so much for your thoughts. I really want to skip it and fill it up tonight but I just feel it might be time well spent. I don't know... Well see if I can get a few more people to weight in and then I'll decide...

Thanks