Habitat - Indoor :: Removing hard water stains

[FLhaven4strays]

I got a used 55 gal for my son's 2" map and it REALLY needs a good cleaning. The main thing I'm facing is white stains...from hard water, I believe.

Anyone know the best way to remove this cruddy buildup (safely) so my son - and turt Jimi - can have a nice clean tank for Christmas? I'd rather not find out through trial & error....

[iac637]

we use windex and a razor blade

[RunninWideOpen]

i've still not found a great solution.....

[Vivi]

i heard that if you use vinegar and the razor blade then that takes it off. i've personally never have tried it though. iac637 i dont think that it is safe to use windex because the chemicals can stay there and harm or god forbid kill your lil guy. its not even safe to use soap.

[octpusgirl8]

I've heard vinegar works, but i've never tried it. I have "Stay Clean Aquarium Wipes" that i use every so often to get the hard water stains off the glass around where the bubbler is, they work pretty well and are even safe to use under the water for cleaning algae. I don't think they would be the best thing to use for complete cleaning of an empty tank, though.

[iac637]

it evaporates we been useing it for over a year we don't get windex with amonia in it

[Daniel3507]

i use the tetra stay clean wipes. they actually work pretty well.

[RunninWideOpen]

i've tried wipes, and not had much luck with them. maybe i let the stains get too bad before i tried to clean them...

[marisa]

Use white vinegar, it's safe for turtles. If the stains are really stubborn, saturate a paper towel lay it against the glass for a while. The residue should soften. Rinse the tank well.

[FLhaven4strays]

Well, looks like the residue wasn't so bad. I just filled the tank and used a new scrubbing pad on the marks & they came off. Once I drain it I'll allow it to dry fully and see how it looks. I'll be using a vinegar rinse to do a regular cleaning to finish things off anyway.

Now a new problem...I managed to break one side of the support beam (runs across the top of the tank sideways.) NOW WHAT??? I'm going to try using silicone to hold it back together, but I'm not gonna hold my breath. Ugh.

[RunninWideOpen]

the support beam is completely broken on one side? so it's not supporting at all?

i don't think silicone would help, really. i would manufacture a new support beam that slips over the outside of tank good and snug, right over the top of the other support beam.

you could use wood, if done right. it would need to strong enough that it won't flex. i would use aluminum or stainless steel (but, that's because i have easy access to such materials).