What should I use to clean inside?

Shadal · 01/26/2006, 01:29 PM

I've got a 150gal that's been in storage for a couple years. It's pretty filthy. I cleaned the outside with spic n' span but what should I use to clean the inside? I won't be filling it for another few weeks or so.

Pandora · 01/26/2006, 01:37 PM

A good scouring pad (no steel wool or detergant, of course, but those green wiry ones made of stiff plastic fiber) and some baking powder paste. You can rinse that off when you are done, but even if you leave residue, it won't be a big deal, because it is just sodium bicarb (some people use it for buffering, but it has cleaning properties as well, many people use it on the inside of fridges).

Shadal · 01/26/2006, 01:38 PM

Awesome! I've got one of those pads. Thanks!

reefwick · 01/26/2006, 03:33 PM

even vinegar and water works wonders. Not harmful as long as you rinse well after words.

Silencer · 01/26/2006, 04:03 PM

Hot water, vinegar, paper towels and a razor blade are all you need to make a tank look brand new.

Use paper towels to wash the inside with a mixture of hot water and vinegar. You do not need to press hard, it is no different from washing dishes or your car. This should soften up any hard encrusted stuff and clean up most of the rest. Use a new razor blade to scrape off the deposits, it'll come right off without trouble, then wash the whole thing again with the vinegar and hot water. Rinse it with freshwater and dry it off with some extra paper towels and it will look brand new.

If you see any rainbows in the glass it's just minerals that stuck to the glass when the water evaporated. You can rub baking soda and vinegar on this to get rid of most of it and the slight hint of it that remains won't be visible once water is in the tank.

reefwick · 01/26/2006, 04:18 PM

Well done! wow, just like new.

Shadal · 01/27/2006, 07:07 PM

I went with Pandora's advice, used a green scrub pad and baking soda/water mixture. Scrubed it down real well then wet vaccumed it out then rinsed a couple more times. Only issue I had, I scratched a little bit of the glass when trying to scrape some silicone from the glass inside. Hopefully I'll be able to buff it out.

Pandora · 01/28/2006, 08:42 AM

Shadal, it looks gorgeous! Too bad about the little scuff.

I don't notice it much here, but I know when you know where it is, it bugs you forever (esp if algae grows there because it is not smooth). I've never had much luck with buffing on glass, maybe someone else can have some input there. Beware that you don't make it worse.

01/26/2006, 01:29 PM	#1
Shadal Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: New Port Richey, FL Posts: 34	What should I use to clean inside? I've got a 150gal that's been in storage for a couple years. It's pretty filthy. I cleaned the outside with spic n' span but what should I use to clean the inside? I won't be filling it for another few weeks or so.

01/26/2006, 01:37 PM	#2
Pandora Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Maryland near DC Posts: 1,706	A good scouring pad (no steel wool or detergant, of course, but those green wiry ones made of stiff plastic fiber) and some baking powder paste. You can rinse that off when you are done, but even if you leave residue, it won't be a big deal, because it is just sodium bicarb (some people use it for buffering, but it has cleaning properties as well, many people use it on the inside of fridges). __________________ Where are we going... And why am I in this handbasket? Current Tank Info: 75gal reef tank, 30 gal octopus tank, Other: 75gal planted Amazon tank

01/26/2006, 03:33 PM	#4
reefwick Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Winfield, IL Posts: 1,010	even vinegar and water works wonders. Not harmful as long as you rinse well after words. __________________ 28 Gallon JBJ LED Professional Current Tank Info: 28 Gallon JBJ LED

01/26/2006, 04:03 PM	#5
Silencer Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NW Chicago Suburbs Posts: 655	Hot water, vinegar, paper towels and a razor blade are all you need to make a tank look brand new. Use paper towels to wash the inside with a mixture of hot water and vinegar. You do not need to press hard, it is no different from washing dishes or your car. This should soften up any hard encrusted stuff and clean up most of the rest. Use a new razor blade to scrape off the deposits, it'll come right off without trouble, then wash the whole thing again with the vinegar and hot water. Rinse it with freshwater and dry it off with some extra paper towels and it will look brand new. If you see any rainbows in the glass it's just minerals that stuck to the glass when the water evaporated. You can rub baking soda and vinegar on this to get rid of most of it and the slight hint of it that remains won't be visible once water is in the tank. __________________ Going to Brasil for a while so all aquarium stuff is being sold...

01/26/2006, 04:18 PM	#6
reefwick Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Winfield, IL Posts: 1,010	Well done! wow, just like new. __________________ 28 Gallon JBJ LED Professional Current Tank Info: 28 Gallon JBJ LED

01/26/2006, 01:38 PM	#3
Shadal Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: New Port Richey, FL Posts: 34	Awesome! I've got one of those pads. Thanks!

01/27/2006, 07:07 PM	#7
Shadal Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: New Port Richey, FL Posts: 34	DONE! I went with Pandora's advice, used a green scrub pad and baking soda/water mixture. Scrubed it down real well then wet vaccumed it out then rinsed a couple more times. Only issue I had, I scratched a little bit of the glass when trying to scrape some silicone from the glass inside. Hopefully I'll be able to buff it out.

01/28/2006, 08:42 AM	#8
Pandora Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Maryland near DC Posts: 1,706	Shadal, it looks gorgeous! Too bad about the little scuff. I don't notice it much here, but I know when you know where it is, it bugs you forever (esp if algae grows there because it is not smooth). I've never had much luck with buffing on glass, maybe someone else can have some input there. Beware that you don't make it worse. __________________ Where are we going... And why am I in this handbasket? Current Tank Info: 75gal reef tank, 30 gal octopus tank, Other: 75gal planted Amazon tank