How to - ? Clean a crusty tank

chicagophil

chicagophil

New member
So, i have never had the pleasure of cleaning a crusty tank, would someone give me a recomendation? i have a 40G Breeder sump that has Coraline and tubeworms everywhere, needs to be cleaned badly.
 
you can use a bleach solution as well for anything the vinegar can't get loose. as long as you wash out very well, and use a De-clorinator after, you'll be fine.
 
I have a similar ask....what about an acrylic tank.... I am assuming vinegar as well... any other ideas as I really can't use a blade.
 
DanSreef said:
I have a similar ask....what about an acrylic tank.... I am assuming vinegar as well... any other ideas as I really can't use a blade.
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Credit card works great. Anywhere that the coralline is REALLY stubborn, I like to soak paper towel in 100% vinegar and just sit the soaked towel on the area for a half hour. Then the credit card should get it right off.
 
I just got done cleaning a 55G (glass); take what you want from my experience.
1) Quick rinse with hose and a scrub with a stiff nylon brush.
2) I use a small bucket filled with vinegar (full strength) and a sponge that has a scrubber side. (One that was designed for silicone surfaced pans.) Wipe all the sides with sponge and use the vinegar generously.
3) Scrape with razor blade or other tool . Most of the crusty stuff should come off in sheets.
4) Rinse again with clean water.
5) Use scrubber side of sponge and vinegar to get any film/missed spots left over.

I still might do a bleach bath later; probably on a warmer day. Good luck. :)
 
chicagophil said:
This is my weekend project, wish me luck!
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So I cleaned up my "new to me" 90 gal corner bow front which is acrylic using vinegar almost full strength. Let it sit on the glass or acrylic side for 15-20 minutes. If you have glass....it will razor right off. If you have acrylic...use an acrylic safe scraper...or an old credit card. Funny.... I got more use out of that **** card than I did with it in my pocket...:a21:

I then began sanding using 1500 grit wet sanding paper and buffing using Novus 2 the acrylic where there were a fair amount of scratches . This is the huge advantage of acrylic over glass in my opinion. Once there are scratches on glass they are there to stay. The downside is acrylic seems to scratch a little more...

I am planning to do a little more buffing of the tank...hopefully today.... a last rinse and I should be good to go to move my tank to its new home.

Good Luck with your weekend project. Sounds like we will have a couple of nice upcoming builds to share....
 
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