White stuff on glass

[nzafi]

Had this white stuff start showing up on my glass. Thought it was algae but it's white. Cleaned it odd a couple weeks ago and it's come back. Any suggestions on what it could be?

 

[DerpyCichlid]

It looks like a buildup of minerals in the tank that is left behind when water evaporates. If so just use vinegar to clean it off.

 

[nzafi]

My issue is that the tank is fully running and has been for a year now. Not sure how this is happening in the last couple weeks. Also I'm used to seeing mineral build up when it an area outside of the water like filters and glass tops. This is in the tank fully submerged.

 

[DerpyCichlid]

Then I have no idea. I would still recommend you using vinegar to wipe it off tho.

 

[CarpCharacin]

The white stuff is mineral deposits from hard water. It is not toxic and it will not kill your fish and you can use vinegar to wipe it off. Your water company might have replaced a section of pipe or flushed out a section of pipe and that could be what is causing the mineral deposits.

 

[markstrimaran]

Is it a second hand tank? I have a used salt water tank, it has a similar white pattern. On the back where it never got cleaned.
I could not remove the marks with vinegar. I did not try any stronger acids. Mine is only on the back.

 

[nzafi]

Bought the tank new about a year ago. The stuff coming off if I scrub it with a normal algae brush. Probably easier to remove seeing it's in the water versus exposed to air.

 

[CarpCharacin]

Bought the tank new about a year ago. The stuff coming off if I scrub it with a normal algae brush. Probably easier to remove seeing it's in the water versus exposed to air.

I have used a magnetic algae cleaner to remove the mineral deposits. That will work only if it is submerged. If the tank is dry, wiping it with vinegar is the easiest way to remove the mineral deposits.