Tank Resque

[Steve H.]

I picked up a used 46 gal. Marineland bowfront today on the super cheap.

It was probably so cheap because it is absolutely filthy! It looks like nobody loved this tank even when they had it.
Dead dried algae on all the interior glass and leftover gravel dried up in the corners like concrete.

What is this best way to go about cleaning this up, and making it look like new again?

I know you don't want to use any detergent or anything on the interior glass, but is a little bleach ok?
If it's rinsed really well?

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

elbow grease and a sponge (one with an abrasive side) - a SOFT abrasive side though

 

[Steve H.]

Crud! I knew I would have to pay something for this deal...

 

[Jayladd]

I read somewhere it was safe to use vinegar, not sure if you had to dilute it or what not.

 

[CezzaXV]

I've also heard that bleach is basically chlorine and is okay as long as you do a massive dechlor overdose afterwards. You might wanna verify that first though.

 

[fluttermoth]

It is true that the thin, unfragranced bleaches (usually the very cheap ones) are chlorine and, after rinsing, can be neutralized with a double dose of dechlorinator.

Personally I use a mix of hot water, vinegar, lemon juice and salt to clean tanks; then I don't have to worry about any residues.

 

[Steve H.]

It is true that the thin, unfragranced bleaches (usually the very cheap ones) are chlorine and, after rinsing, can be neutralized with a double dose of dechlorinator.

Personally I use a mix of hot water, vinegar, lemon juice and salt to clean tanks; then I don't have to worry about any residues.

Now that sounds good to me! Thanks!

 

[Blubble37]

i soak limescale in vinegar and lemon juice to dissolve it... also kills algae a treat :3

 

[Aqua Tom]

It is true that the thin, unfragranced bleaches (usually the very cheap ones) are chlorine and, after rinsing, can be neutralized with a double dose of dechlorinator.

Personally I use a mix of hot water, vinegar, lemon juice and salt to clean tanks; then I don't have to worry about any residues.

Sounds tasty

 

[OldMan47]

I simply use a soak in fresh water followed by a good scrub with a Scotch-brite, the kind that is non-scratching. Let the soak go on for a few hours to loosen the deposits and make the scrubbing far easier when you start. Be careful because they make Scotch-brite sponges that will definitely make a mess of your curved glass. Only the non-scratching ones can be recommended.

 

[Steve H.]

I simply use a soak in fresh water followed by a good scrub with a Scotch-brite, the kind that is non-scratching. Let the soak go on for a few hours to loosen the deposits and make the scrubbing far easier when you start. Be careful because they make Scotch-brite sponges that will definitely make a mess of your curved glass. Only the non-scratching ones can be recommended.

Thanks I'll give soaking it a try.

I tried the vinegar recipe, and although it did fairly well by getting all the dried green of the algae off, it did not get it off down to the glass. You can still see the haze of the algae even though the green coloring in gone.

Really stubborn stuff.