Glass Cleaning

[Realtree]

I have a 54" x 24" x 18" tank which requires a major overhaul and clean
Does anyone know of any products or chemicals which will cean the glass to an A1 condition.
Tank itself has beeen left with major water "tide" marks and extensive grime.
I have attempted to scrub an area with glass cleaner but this has not fully cleaned it leaving a cloudy residue which will not shift with elbow grease alone.
Any advice greatly appreciated

 

[roadmaster]

I have a 54" x 24" x 18" tank which requires a major overhaul and clean
Does anyone know of any products or chemicals which will cean the glass to an A1 condition.
Tank itself has beeen left with major water "tide" marks and extensive grime.
I have attempted to scrub an area with glass cleaner but this has not fully cleaned it leaving a cloudy residue which will not shift with elbow grease alone.
Any advice greatly appreciated

Have you tried warm water and vinegar? Have also used a scotch brite pad with good results. Is more effective if allowed to soak in the warm water and vinegar for an hour or two before scrubbing. Have also found that sometimes despite intensive scrubbing, that some residual might remain. in this instance, i fill the tank with water and see how noticeable it is. sometimes when the tank water covers these areas ,you can't see the residue.

 

[loraxchick]

vinegar is good to help cut the calcuim (or other minerals) deposits. for an abrasive use plains salt or baking soda and some elbow grease
cheers.

vinegar is good to help cut the calcium (or other minerals) deposits. for an abrasive use plains salt or baking soda and some elbow grease
cheers.

 

[raptorrex]

vinegar is good to help cut the calcuim (or other minerals) deposits. for an abrasive use plains salt or baking soda and some elbow grease
cheers.

vinegar is good to help cut the calcium (or other minerals) deposits. for an abrasive use plains salt or baking soda and some elbow grease
cheers.

it also softens and weakens any silicone that it comes in contact with. be very careful, never soak a tank in vinegar solution. i know the "i've been doing it for years" mob. but a quick email to a manufactures, or reading the instructions, will confirm my comments.

lemon/limes also do the same job, but are just as bad for silicone. (acetic acid). its elbow grease not soaking that shifts it.

 

[ajs2294]

CLR with remove the really hard stuff but you have to be careful with the stuff

 

[tappas]

As mentioned, never let a tank soak in vinegar, even diluted vinegar because it can weaken the silicone.

CLR would probably work, but you would have to rinse EXTRTEMELY well to make sure no residue was left behind. CLR residue left would most definately kill your fish.

Things I have done, dilute pure ammonia (the type we use during fishless cycles), spray on the glass and add elbow grease. Ammonia is a great glass cleaner, but rinse really well after to get rid of excess ammonia.

I have also done the same thing with bleach (just DO NOT MIX AMMONIA AND BLEACH), just spray bleach full strength on the glass and scrub. To remove the bleach residure rinse really well, then fill the tank with water and add double or even triple the amount of dechlorinator and allow to sit over night (or two nights if you can). Then empty the water before using for fish. The dechlorinator will neutralize the chlorine in the bleach residue that might be left behind.

 

[zwright]

Please DO NOT use CLR, it leave residue that is very very difficult to wash away. Stick with eithor pure vinegar, ammonia (watered down) or bleach. Do not use them in combination, and if you use vinegar do not let it soak it will eat through your silicone. If you have really tough spots try using a straight edge razor or utility knife to scrape away the really caked on peices (only if glass do not do this on acrylic tanks) and be careful not to go to deep with the blade. I have also had luck with a cream of tarter vinegar paste and a scratch pad (again don't use scratch pads on acrylic)

 

[vfg10]

hi I use water sandpaper very fine 1000 will work fine you just use water and elbow grease just go light fist so you see how it works out if you go to hard it may scratch the glass

 

[ajs2294]

Please DO NOT use CLR, it leave residue that is very very difficult to wash away. Stick with eithor pure vinegar, ammonia (watered down) or bleach. Do not use them in combination, and if you use vinegar do not let it soak it will eat through your silicone. If you have really tough spots try using a straight edge razor or utility knife to scrape away the really caked on peices (only if glass do not do this on acrylic tanks) and be careful not to go to deep with the blade. I have also had luck with a cream of tarter vinegar paste and a scratch pad (again don't use scratch pads on acrylic)

Ive used CLR on numerous tanks that had hard water stains that otherwise wouldn't have been lifted. If you take the time to fill it with freshwater dump it out and then scrub the sides with a clean rag your good to go. Guaranteed.