What can I use to clean a used glass tank?

Powerboat · 07/21/2011, 02:19 PM

What chemicals can I safely use to clean a used glass tank. I want to get it good and clean because the previous owner had a lot of "bugs" that ate his corals and I want to make sure they can't survive and get into my system.

snorvich · 07/21/2011, 02:20 PM

Vinegar (cheap is fine) and water. Works great.

EuroDriver · 07/21/2011, 02:24 PM

+1 on the vinegar. If it's glass, just take a razor blade to the walls and scrape it clean. That, along with a good rinsing with the garden hose should be more than enough to kill off anything that could have possibly survived.

sporto0 · 07/21/2011, 02:32 PM

The product called CLR & a razor blade have worked wonders for me, it is designed to remove calcerous build up, keeping in mind of course to rinse thoroughly & repeat, rinse thoroughly & let it dry out completely.

Jlong1989 · 07/21/2011, 02:34 PM

Vinegar works for me I let it sit in 50/50 vinegar/water mix then I scrub with a glass safe scrubbing pad I get from my lfs

jflores · 07/21/2011, 02:50 PM

We used the vinegar/water solution and make sure when using a razor blade the glass is wet or it might scratch, and be careful of the silicone edge. Do not use razorblade on acrylic it will scratch.

Bad LS1 · 07/21/2011, 05:04 PM

Vinegar works wonders.

mcoomer · 07/21/2011, 08:52 PM

Vinegar and water, wait three days then hit it with an algae free magnet, and an easy blade. The magnet and easy blade keep your hands out of the smelly stuff.

Mike

Powerboat · 07/24/2011, 11:45 AM

Thanks for the info. I appreciate it.

otrlynn · 07/24/2011, 08:01 PM

Also, rather than filling up the whole tank (and having to use a lot of vinegar) unless the tank is very large, you can fill it turn it on its side and just let a thin layer of vinegar sit on the pane of glass that is on the bottom side, and let it soak overnight. Unless it is a zero edge tank, the trim at the top of the tank will allow a thin layer of water/vinegar to sit on the glass. It take more time this way, since you will be essentially cleaning each side of the glass separately--but takes less vinegar.

leadsinker · 07/24/2011, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by otrlynn

Also, rather than filling up the whole tank (and having to use a lot of vinegar) unless the tank is very large, you can fill it turn it on its side and just let a thin layer of vinegar sit on the pane of glass that is on the bottom side, and let it soak overnight. Unless it is a zero edge tank, the trim at the top of the tank will allow a thin layer of water/vinegar to sit on the glass. It take more time this way, since you will be essentially cleaning each side of the glass separately--but takes less vinegar.

1+ support with hand, kitchen paper towels on glass side of tank, have vin and water mix in spray bottle. spay paper towel so it cling's to side's of tank and repeat spray every so often to keep paper towels moist. scrubber sponge pad. a bit less time consuming

"Most importantly, have beer's while you wait"

US Marine Coral · 08/04/2011, 10:52 AM

I use the 50/50 vinegar mix and it seemed to work well.

07/21/2011, 02:19 PM	#1
Powerboat Moved On Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 54	What can I use to clean a used glass tank? What chemicals can I safely use to clean a used glass tank. I want to get it good and clean because the previous owner had a lot of "bugs" that ate his corals and I want to make sure they can't survive and get into my system.

07/21/2011, 02:20 PM	#2
snorvich Team RC member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Outlander Posts: 40,953 Blog Entries: 46	Vinegar (cheap is fine) and water. Works great. __________________ Warmest regards, ~Steve~

07/21/2011, 08:52 PM	#8
mcoomer Rat Bastard! Join Date: May 2007 Location: Sammamish, WA Posts: 1,487	Vinegar and water, wait three days then hit it with an algae free magnet, and an easy blade. The magnet and easy blade keep your hands out of the smelly stuff. Mike __________________ Spending exorbitant amounts of money on this hobby since 1998! My wife thought the tank would be cheaper and easier to keep than a dog...no seriously! Current Tank Info: 180 gallon mixed reef; Reeflo Barracuda, Tunze 6105 (X3), 250W Radiums with dual HQI Blue Wave 7, Reefkeeper Elite controller, custom sump with ASM G4, carbon and GFO reactors

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07/21/2011, 02:24 PM	#3
EuroDriver Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 108	+1 on the vinegar. If it's glass, just take a razor blade to the walls and scrape it clean. That, along with a good rinsing with the garden hose should be more than enough to kill off anything that could have possibly survived.

07/21/2011, 02:32 PM	#4
sporto0 Moved On Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Pittsburgh, Pa. Posts: 2,924	The product called CLR & a razor blade have worked wonders for me, it is designed to remove calcerous build up, keeping in mind of course to rinse thoroughly & repeat, rinse thoroughly & let it dry out completely.

07/21/2011, 02:34 PM	#5
Jlong1989 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 15	Vinegar works for me I let it sit in 50/50 vinegar/water mix then I scrub with a glass safe scrubbing pad I get from my lfs

07/21/2011, 02:50 PM	#6
jflores Registered Member. Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Mesa Arizona Posts: 287	We used the vinegar/water solution and make sure when using a razor blade the glass is wet or it might scratch, and be careful of the silicone edge. Do not use razorblade on acrylic it will scratch.

07/21/2011, 05:04 PM	#7
Bad LS1 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: The Woodlands, Texas Posts: 135	Vinegar works wonders.

07/24/2011, 11:45 AM	#9
Powerboat Moved On Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 54	Thanks for the info. I appreciate it.

07/24/2011, 08:01 PM	#10
otrlynn Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Chester County PA Posts: 1,508	Also, rather than filling up the whole tank (and having to use a lot of vinegar) unless the tank is very large, you can fill it turn it on its side and just let a thin layer of vinegar sit on the pane of glass that is on the bottom side, and let it soak overnight. Unless it is a zero edge tank, the trim at the top of the tank will allow a thin layer of water/vinegar to sit on the glass. It take more time this way, since you will be essentially cleaning each side of the glass separately--but takes less vinegar.

08/04/2011, 10:52 AM	#12
US Marine Coral Moved On Join Date: May 2010 Location: Philadelphia PA Posts: 163	I use the 50/50 vinegar mix and it seemed to work well.