Hi, I was wondering if anyone might be able to help me with my problem. I recently was given a 55 gallon tank that had been sitting in a garage for some time. The tank has a white film on pretty much all sides of the tank and it is not coming off. Unfortunately, my roomate thought he was helping and sprayed it down with CLR solvent. So I guess my questions are: How should I get this film off of the glass? and How long should i soak the tank to rinse the solvent out? Thanks in advance.
Cleaning old tank
- Thread starter jonniebgoode
- Start date
The problem is that the CLR will have permeated the silicone seal and will likely leach out for a very long time. Hose it out really well until there's no more foam, bubbles, etc. and no more CLR smell. I'm not sure what will actually neutralize it.
To get the white film off the glass use distilled white vinegar and water. After you scrub it out, hose it out until you don't smell vinegar any longer.
You're roommate is a retard by the way.
To get the white film off the glass use distilled white vinegar and water. After you scrub it out, hose it out until you don't smell vinegar any longer.
You're roommate is a retard by the way.
Did it work at all?
Silicone won't get 'permeated', just clean it well (dish soap & rinse well like outside with a hose well)
Your roommate was on target if it was lime / hardwater stains. Vinegar should take it off but you may have to soak it for hours if it's heavy.
You said glass, so I am taking it that's what it is...Use a sinle edged razor blade (in a widget) to gently scrape the stuff off first, it'll break the hardened surface of the stuff and let the vinegar work better.
Dr Joe
.
Silicone won't get 'permeated', just clean it well (dish soap & rinse well like outside with a hose well)
Your roommate was on target if it was lime / hardwater stains. Vinegar should take it off but you may have to soak it for hours if it's heavy.
You said glass, so I am taking it that's what it is...Use a sinle edged razor blade (in a widget) to gently scrape the stuff off first, it'll break the hardened surface of the stuff and let the vinegar work better.
Dr Joe
.
You're kidding about the dish soap, right? That's the worst thing (other than the CLR), I can think of to clean out an aquarium!
After getting the stuff off with the vinegar (soak some paper towels in vinegar & lay across the stains for a few house to soak in & tnen scrape off). Then clean out the whole thing with OxyClean--rinses quite easily.
I'd start out your filtration with lots of fresh carbon to remove anything left from thre CLR.
After getting the stuff off with the vinegar (soak some paper towels in vinegar & lay across the stains for a few house to soak in & tnen scrape off). Then clean out the whole thing with OxyClean--rinses quite easily.
I'd start out your filtration with lots of fresh carbon to remove anything left from thre CLR.
My method: Toilet bowl cleaner! It will remove anything. I have used it many times. The key is to rinse VERY VERY WELL. Then fill the tank, put a filter with carbon on it, and add 4 times the normal amount of prime. Test your water for ammonia and pH. If everything checks out, you are good. Start your cycle.
Elbow grease worked for me. just don't press to hard on the glass or you may get through a pane. I've also seen on the forums to use lemon juice, but I suppose any weak acid could do it. (vinegar = acetic acid, lemon juice = ascorbic acid, plain seltzer= carbonic acid)
I have use clr before definitely cleaned the very soiled tank I had before with a little scrubbing, to remove it i really hose it hard and dried it for a time and hose it again did not expirience any problem I been using that tank for quite sometime now.