What can I use to get rid of that cloudy look from lime build up on a glass aquarium?

Question

I just got a large used aquarium from someone and it needed a really good cleaning. I've been working on it and it looks much better but the glass still has that cloudy look. A previous owner let the water level go way down and lime built up on the glass. I don't know what else I can use to remove it that would not be harmful to the fish that will be put in later. Anyone have any ideas? Thanks for any suggestions.

Answer 1

I have had aquariums for years. I use vinegar to clean the lime and calcium buildup from them. It takes a lot of energy and time; but it works brilliantly!
I fill the tank to a gallon from the top. Then I add the gallon of white vinegar. I put the tank in the spare bathroom's tub for the project. If you don't have a tub you can hold up for several hours; then I suggest putting a bunch of towels on a floor that can be mopped later. After I put the vinegar in I fill the tank to the very tip top and leave her to set and work. Over night is usually the best trick. I do this for as long as the lime hangs on. I have had tanks that have taken 3-4 treatments this way; but it has ALWAYS worked.
To prevent this from occurring again; I purchased distilled water or spring water. Now times I have a water system and use reverse osmosis to keep the problem at bay. Softener water is no good. It will kill your fish. The water has to be pure of hardness to keep your tank in like new condition.
I wish for you the best. You will love the way your tank looks and sparkles. Be sure to rinse the vinegar out really well and use a product to treat the water for your fish before adding new ones! Good luck! Nana

Answer 2

If this is a true "lime" build up, a dilute acid (vinegar, lemon juice plus water) will remove it. What else may have happened, though, is if your area has water with a higher pH, or the tank was used for saltwater or cichlid (or some types of diatoms were allowed to grow), the glass may have become permanently etched. The only way to get rid of this is to have the glass flame polished by a profession (this literally remelts the surface of the glass so it's smooth, but is risky to do). Try what you can, then fill the tank. With water in it, it may not appear as bad as it does dry, but still may not be perfect - just face the "best" side outward.

If you use one of the acid treatments, be sure to rinse the tank well before adding fish.

Answer 3

While glass may seem like a hard, impenetrable surface, there actually are microscopic pores in glass that can trap toxic chemicals even after what you believe is a good rinsing, so I would strongly suggest never, ever using any sort of soap, bleach or chemical cleaner on your tank. The clean look of the tank is not worth the risk of killing your fish. Stick with vinegar and good old elbow grease in the form of a razor blade and lots of scraping. Of course, you can't use a razor blade on acrylic tanks, if that's what it is, but if it is acrylic, this product is even more likely to trap chemicals in the material itself. Do the best you can with vinegar and a razor blade, but if you can't get it all, then please don't resort to chemicals. Good luck and best wishes for a happy and healthy aquarium and don't forget to cycle!

Answer 4

I have lime & hard-water problems where I live, and I use a product called CLR (I think it stands for Calcium, Lime, Rust) to remove it. Takes it right off.

Use carefully, with gloves, then clean the tank thoroughly several times before using for fish. Glass is impermeable, so you don't have to worry about it soaking in, just make sure you have completely flushed and cleaned the tank after using CLR.

Answer 5

I would try a pH down solution that you can buy @ the pet store which will obviously be safe for the fish. Pour a little on a toothbrush and scrub away! Good luck =)

Answer 6

use a razor blade straight edge and scrap it off that is if the tank is glass if not then you would have to scrub the heck out of it with no checmicals that could harm the fish