How to safely clean a used empty tank?

[IAMONE]

Hi everyone, I recently purchased a used 44gal pentagon shaped glass tank. It has what look like hard water stains in it, probably mineral deposits or similar. Not too bad but just looks like it needs a thorough cleaning before I set it up. What products are safe to use to get the glass to look its best? As well, the silicone seals are a bit discolored. Once again, not too badly but besides razoring them out and resealing is there a way to clean them? I'm not totally against re-doing the seals but have never done it before so I don't really know if it entails anything more than what caulking tiles in a bathroom is like. Suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks!
Matthew

 

[benzjamin13]

Vinegar is probably the safest cleaning solution for a fish tank. As for the silicone...is it that bad? I would just leave it.

 

[IAMONE]

Off to the store I go to purchase some vinegar. Yeah, the seals aren't that bad. I will leave them be and spend the extra effort fabricating a custom canopy for it instead. The hood that came with it is horrid. Thanks for the advice!

Matthew

 

[snaggle]

I have used vinegar and a pot scrubber to remove hard water stains. It was faster then the first 3 tanks that I did with a razor blade and elbow grease.

 

[haynchinook334]

1000 grit sand paper and water.

 

[Camphilophus]

razor blade and water. Vinegar or lemon juice if you need the extra help.

 

[ronin_man]

I have used vinegar and a pot scrubber to remove hard water stains. It was faster then the first 3 tanks that I did with a razor blade and elbow grease.

 

[koop171]

I cleaned salt deposits off my big tank with CLR that works great then just go back over it with vinager and water and it's really really clean

 

[ronin_man]

I cleaned salt deposits off my big tank with CLR that works great then just go back over it with vinager and water and it's really really clean

if your going to go this route, rinse rinse rinse and when you've done that rinse again. i was thinking of doing this one time but i was to afraid that i would miss some and have my fish take the toll.

 

[IAMONE]

Thanks everyone. I used a 'never been touched by soap' kitchen scrubber, some white vinegar and elbow grease. It worked well and the tank, now full of water looks good and is getting ready for its new tenants. I left the seals alone and they look fine, too.

Thanks,
Matthew