i traded a bunch of saltwater stuff i wasn't using for a 125g used tank. it was used as a sump. i can still see where the baffle was siliconed in on the front of the tank and there are a few more "stains" on the front and back. i really don't care about the back, but the front is gonna be a problem. i tried scraping it off with a razor blade, but it didn't help. one friend of mine suggested i use some muriatic acid, but son't let it get near the seals. another friend of mine suggested using a fine steel wool with water. would either of these work? any other proven suggestions?
cleaning out a used tank, need advice
- Thread starter cyclops23
- Start date
Did you use the vinegar and if you did how did it turn out? I have the same promblem with what looks like hard water stains. 
used the razor blade on the entire tank but alas even with water they stains won't come out.
used the razor blade on the entire tank but alas even with water they stains won't come out.I've not done it my self but heard you can use rubbing alcohol as well, just make sure you rinse the tank really good before setting it up.
cyclops23;1237434; said:
Are we talking about the water stains or the silicone residue?
For water stains start with vinegar,and progress to CLR and then to muratic acid as a last result. Do all this outside as the fumes are horrendous. And use caution and rubber gloves / eye protection.
Silicone residue can be removed with acetone (again outside).
Don't use anything that could scatch the glass for scrubbing (Teflon safe scrub pads for vinegar and clr are ok, acetone may dissolve them tho.)
Dr Joe
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I have gotten out hard water stains with lemon juice. You have to leave it on for a little while - half hour or so, and then use a cleaning brush (special for the tank; no soap should ever have been used with it).
I've had good luck making a paste from hydrogen peroxide (gotta love the dollar stores...) and baking soda. that removes most everything after a good razor blade scraping of the heavy deposits. I'm not a huge fan of nasty chemicals in my tanks even though I KNOW rationally that it can all be cleaned out.....LOL