Hard Water Stains

[Scott&Nikki]

I finally found a 20L from someone that lives near me. I just cleaned it VERY well with vinegar and then soap and water. I cannot get these hard water stains out though. Does anyone have any hints for me?

 

[Sunrise Reptile]

I've never had this problem, but maybe something like CLR. It sure does work on other calcium and lime deposits. Check the label before you buy it, but it should do the trick.

 

[brandy101010]

Scratchless commet will remove almost any stains!

 

[Scott&Nikki]

Scratchless commet will remove almost any stains!

What is that?

 

[brandy101010]

It comes in a green can. You should be able to find it in the cleaning suplies section of wall mart, k mart, or any store really that sells cleaning suplies. Make sure you get the scratchles kind or it might scratch up your tank.

 

[Scott&Nikki]

OK thanks... any household methods? I'm hoping to get this all set up tonight.

 

[acpart]

a razor blade scraper might work too.

Aliza

 

[brandy101010]

Gotta brillow pad?

 

[brandy101010]

Oh wait don't do that it will scratch the tank! I need to think before I type. lol
I also would not recomend the razor blade. that will really scratch it lol

 

[Scott&Nikki]

Gotta brillow pad?

Nope. I just looked online for some things and saw to use salt and hot water to make a paste and scrub with that. That didn't do a thing either.

 

[brandy101010]

go through your cleaning suplies and try everything lol

 

[BalloonzForU]

yeah then rinse, rinse, rinse, then after that rinse again

 

[Scott&Nikki]

Nothing seems to be working. I really don't have many cleaning supplies. Just a college apartment. Only glass cleaner, furniture polish, drain-o, and some other useless stuff...

 

[justin-branam]

if you are very careful (i cannot stress that enough), you can go to the hardware store, and buy some heavy duty rubber gloves, and get some muriatic acid. it is located in the pool section (or if you have a pool supply place near, or know someone with a pool). i would first try a 1 to 10 (acid to water) solution. if that does not work, try a 1 to 5 solution. do this outside, and near a water hose in case you need to rinse any off of youself (better be safe than sorry). that is what we use to clean stubborn calcium deposits off of pumps and things in the aquarium business. it literally melts the calcium buildup away. again though, if you spill this stuff on your skin, it can cause a pretty bad burn, so be very careful. i would only use it as a last resort type thing, but i can give you a 99.9% guarantee it will do the trick.

 

[PaulSage]

I've used CLR and single-edge razor blades on hard water deposits for years. I hate to think just how many aquariums I've cleaned that way, but it's the best way I've found to do it. Let the CLR sit for a few minutes (even if you have to turn the tank on its side) and scrape it off with a NEW razor blade. If the razor is corroded or rusty, or if it is bent and dinged up, you might have scratching problems. Just keep the blade at a 45 degree angle to the glass.

Yup. CLR and a razor blade. I wouldn't attempt to clean a fish tank without either one. Just make sure you rinse the tank out really well.

 

[gecko_man2]

I hope the tank is never going to be used as an aquarium.

 

[gecko_man2]

Any chemicals even how good you rinse shouldn't be used to clean an aquarium for fish. Most chemicals can leach into the water when it is trapped in the silicone.

 

[NaughtyDawg]

CLR is the best thing I have found to remove hard water stains.

 

[Intense Herpetoculture]

I use a razor blade on my glass tanks, or steel wool, no scratches.

Oh wait don't do that it will scratch the tank! I need to think before I type. lol
I also would not recomend the razor blade. that will really scratch it lol

 

[Scott&Nikki]

Well, Justin, outside by a hose isnt gonna work in -30 wind chill and half a foot of snow. I can't even open my windows. That is why I am nervous about using CLR or any other toxic chemical. I will try the razor blade though. Thanks everyone.