Obstinate Hard Water Marks

[alexmuw]

Try CLR, if it works then great!

OR, get something more acidic. You can buy HCl (hydrochloric acid) at Lowes Homedepot by the name of muriatic acid. This should allow the calcium deposits to come off more easily.

BTW, does anyone know the molecular formula of the calcium deposits? I thought it would be Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3) Was just curious.

EDIT: Here's the MSDS for CLR: http://mfc.engr.arizona.edu/safety/MSDS FOLDER/CLR_Cleaner.pdf
It's basically just acid.

 

[rhodes_96]

OK . Don't use CLR. It's oxilic acid. This stuff will leach it's way into the water afterwoods no matter how good you clean the tank.
Now it's time to bring on the good stuff.
Mix 1 part hydrochloric acid to 10 parts water. Put it in a little sprayer and spray the effected area. (wear gloves if your not comfortable around acids, and don't breath in hcl fumes and don't get it in your eyes . Wait about thirty seconds, agitate with soft to medium nylon brush, and remove with wet cloth. Re apply again if neccessay, then just wash out tank as normal. No bad chemical residue to worry about. HCL mix won't harm glass or silicon or timber or paint. Don't get it on any metal.
If that doesn't work you can go up to 1:5 mix (you shouldn't have too).
If that doesn't work then get another tank (lol)

 

[David K. Bradley]

OK . Don't use CLR. It's oxilic acid. This stuff will leach it's way into the water afterwoods no matter how good you clean the tank.
Now it's time to bring on the good stuff.
Mix 1 part hydrochloric acid to 10 parts water. Put it in a little sprayer and spray the effected area. (wear gloves if your not comfortable around acids, and don't breath in hcl fumes and don't get it in your eyes . Wait about thirty seconds, agitate with soft to medium nylon brush, and remove with wet cloth. Re apply again if neccessay, then just wash out tank as normal. No bad chemical residue to worry about. HCL mix won't harm glass or silicon or timber or paint. Don't get it on any metal.
If that doesn't work you can go up to 1:5 mix (you shouldn't have too).
If that doesn't work then get another tank (lol)

Thanks rhodes_96. I'll try your suggestion about the HCL, give it a go, and see if this method will do the trick. I'll keep you posted on the results. Thanks again. Cheers!

 

[David K. Bradley]

Well it worked. Thanks rhodes_96. The 1:10 mix of the HCL worked great. I didn't have to use the 1:5 mix. Thank you for your helpful advise and g'day mate. I want to thank everyone for their input as well, too.

Another mystery of fishkeeping solved and as far as I can see, this thread is done and the MOD'S can close this thread. Thanks.