Best way to get rid of hard water stains
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Topic: Best way to get rid of hard water stains
Posted By: 1973Ford
Subject: Best way to get rid of hard water stains
Date Posted: August 19 2013 at 12:22am
| Just curious to what everybody uses to get rid of hard water stains on the in side of an aquarium I've tried soaking vinegar and water but that didn't work |
Replies:
Posted By: ReefdUp
Date Posted: August 19 2013 at 5:14am
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If you clean it well afterwards...use CLR. ------------- www.reefdup.com Diving since 2009, reefkeeping since 2007, & fishkeeping since 1987 200g, 75g, & 15g Systems PADI Advanced Open Water |
Posted By: Molli
Date Posted: August 19 2013 at 8:39am
| Muratic acid. |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: August 19 2013 at 3:35pm
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Straight white vinegar, not diluted. I understand that CLR should not be put on the silicone. I hear that silicone absorbs the CLR and causes toxicity problems later for the tank inhabitants. If it were me, I would set the tank on it's side and soak the calcium deposit in a puddle of undiluted white vinegar, then use a straight edge razor blade to scrape it off. If after all that the glass has etching, that means it was a freshwater tank that was left alone for months while the water evaporated, etching the glass as it dried up.  White Vinegar is not harmful. A quick rinse afterward is all that is required. Did you know that soaking in white vinegar dissolves those irritating Bristleworm bristles that got left in your hand/finger when picking up LR? Aloha, Mark  ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member 
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Posted By: 1973Ford
Date Posted: August 19 2013 at 4:40pm
| The tank has hard water stains and let a hazing on the entire inside I will get a pic when I get home |
Posted By: ReefdUp
Date Posted: August 20 2013 at 5:03am
I was not implying that the tank should be soaked in CLR. If you use a rag and apply the CLR directly to the hard water stains, wipe it off, and rinse, there should be no future issues. ------------- www.reefdup.com Diving since 2009, reefkeeping since 2007, & fishkeeping since 1987 200g, 75g, & 15g Systems PADI Advanced Open Water |
Mark Peterson wrote:Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: August 20 2013 at 9:42am
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I have never used CLR, just passing on what I had heard the other day from Kris Fidone at Fish-4-U when I told him of my recent system crash. I believe it was caused by just a drop of triple strength liquid laundry detergent. I lost all SPS, all LPS, and all snails. Kris told me that even after 20 total water changes, the effect of CLR residual in the silicone had still caused problems for a hobbyist. Nikki is an awesome hobbyist and very helpful. She and I would both be horrified to learn that CLR had caused problems later on. It sounds like the vinegar has already removed the deposits and unfortunately, uncovered the hard water etching. I'm sorry. I don't know anything practical that will smooth out etched glass. Aloha, Mark ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member
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Posted By: ReefdUp
Date Posted: August 20 2013 at 12:23pm
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I have used CLR with no deleterious effects. As with all products, it can be misused. As long as the clr is applied to a rag on the glass only and rinsed properly, there should not be any issues. It is up to the OP as to what risk he is willing to accept. If the tank is so bad that he can't see through it and vinegar hasnt worked, he may be willing to try something else rather than to trash it. CLR has removed stains that straight vinegar couldn't remove for me. ------------- www.reefdup.com Diving since 2009, reefkeeping since 2007, & fishkeeping since 1987 200g, 75g, & 15g Systems PADI Advanced Open Water |
Posted By: 1973Ford
Date Posted: August 20 2013 at 3:23pm
 here is a pic of you really can't see through the glass I forgot to mention that this wont be used has an aquarium
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Posted By: 1973Ford
Date Posted: August 24 2013 at 3:01pm
| Well I tried clr today and it didn't work I have been reading online and they say toothpaste can remove light scratches so would it take off the etching too ? |
Posted By: ReefdUp
Date Posted: August 24 2013 at 3:27pm
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Ugh, so it's etched? Toothpaste may help slightly, but the amount of elbow grease you'd have to put into it may not be worth it. I'd look for professional glass polishing compound and a buffer...or a new tank. Etched glass is just miserable to deal with. ------------- www.reefdup.com Diving since 2009, reefkeeping since 2007, & fishkeeping since 1987 200g, 75g, & 15g Systems PADI Advanced Open Water |
Posted By: phys
Date Posted: August 24 2013 at 5:40pm
| Cerium oxide and a buffer... |
Posted By: 1973Ford
Date Posted: August 24 2013 at 5:42pm
| Where can I buy that |