So I inherted a used reef tank..

[rsutoratosu]

So there appears to be some mineral deposit or salt stuck to the glass. Took a while to scrub down but some section I can't get off.. safe to use harsher scrubber or is there some other way to scrub this out ?

 

[foghorn67]

is it algae?

 

[Doodoo]

Probably coralline...try some diluted vinegar and a razor blade to scrape it off.

 

[rsutoratosu]

yeah, i google some more and it looks like you guys are correct, coralline algae

do i soak it in or just spray on and scrape ?

 

[BoomerD]

Glass tank?

Those can be used if you're careful.

BTW, if it's hard water deposits, (salt water is VERY hard) they become virtually invisible when the tank is full of water.

Coralline algae tends to be purple...

I never bothered with it on the back glass...only the front and sides.

 

[rsutoratosu]

tank is empty, its in the bath tub.. I guess i can fill it up and pour vinegar in for a day or two and pump the water out...

 

[BoomerD]

tank is empty, its in the bath tub.. I guess i can fill it up and pour vinegar in for a day or two and pump the water out...

Sounds like a small tank...

Is it glass or acrylic?

 

[rsutoratosu]

glass, 46 gallon. This is whats on it.. and I have the vinegar posted below.. lmk, ill fill the whole thing and pour vinegar in it and let it soak for a day or so and try to scrub it off

 

[trmiv]

Poor it all in and use hot water. You will probably end up needing more vinegar that though because 1.3g of vinegar in that much water is going to be pretty weak. Another option is to turn the tank on its side and just poor pure vinegar on that part and let it soak. If you can do it outside and are up to it you can use muriatic acid.

 

[BoomerD]

Yep...old coralline algae. Vinegar will help. Use a single edge razor blade to scrape it off. (be careful not to cut/scrape the silicone seal or you'll have MORE work ahead of you.

 

[MomentsofSanity]

Generally you want to keep chemicals away from any reef tank. From the pics is does look like it would be coralline algae which should scrape off with vinegar but most reef tank keepers just let it accumulate if it's on the back glass.

What type of tank are you planning setting up? Full reef tank, FOWLR etc... I kept reef tanks for years if you need any help or tips. There's a lot of learning when it comes to setting up proper reef tank that will save you mountains of headaches down the road.

 

[trmiv]

Vinegar is totally safe to use so don't sweat using it at all. Some people even dose it to their active reefs as a carbon source to reduce nitrates and phosphates. I go through that stuff like crazy with my tank.

 

[rsutoratosu]

its gonna be cleaned and turn into a goldfish tank, so i will clean it off and wash it well.

unfortunately it wont fit sideways in my tub... if it was spring, i could do it in the back yard...

Whats the concentration Ill need ? like 50% vinegar?

 

[trmiv]

If you can just lay it down on the bathroom floor soak some paper towels in vinegar and lay them on those spots.

 

[BoomerD]

The coralline algae, if left, won't hurt or bother your goldfish...

 

[DesiPower]

CLR?

 

[rsutoratosu]

its coming off in areas that i soaked... i rather clean it off, it looks really dirty with it on.. anyway im not in a rush to use it.. just the smell of vinegar sucks.. luckily i got 2 bathrooms..

 

[bbhaag]

I had a reef tank for about 6 years then I got out. The coraline growth was pretty intense especially on the back glass. Before I sold my tank I used a vinegar/water solution to dissolve it and clean it up.

Just keep using the vinegar solution like you are. Let it soak for awhile before you scrape. It comes off easier if you let it soak up the solution. The nice thing about vinegar is is does a great jog at cleaning up the glass but won't leave any harmful residues behind that might affect your goldfish later on.

 

[rsutoratosu]

omg, from 11:32 tiil 11:50, i use a bit of vinegar, little new sponge and a baby bottle brush, its all off.. L@@@@K

I was just testing it out to see how it would come off.. and when i use the brush with a tiny splatter of vinegar, it melted off. I just end up getting a sponge to scrub it clean..

 

[bbhaag]

Looks good man. Rinse it out for a minutes with some fresh water and wipe it down with some towels and you should be shopping for fish in no time.
Are you sure you want goldfish? Looks like a nice size tank to get your feet wet with saltwater.

 

[rsutoratosu]

So the next project.. the MDF tank stand got wet, and one section of the mdf is expanding...

Its the yellow part circled in front. So I figure I can get 2 piece of finish plywood and put it on both sides, glue and screw into each other. Does that work ? and paint it black .. so having the mdf in the middle and plywood sandwich?

 

[rsutoratosu]

Looks good man. Rinse it out for a minutes with some fresh water and wipe it down with some towels and you should be shopping for fish in no time.
Are you sure you want goldfish? Looks like a nice size tank to get your feet wet with saltwater.

yeah im too lazy.. its for the kids xmas present.. i figure ill end up with a 1 or 2 little gold fish and let the kids have fun.. bet you by summer, ill be giving it away.. hahah

 

[boomerang]

So the next project.. the MDF tank stand got wet, and one section of the mdf is expanding...

Its the yellow part circled in front. So I figure I can get 2 piece of finish plywood and put it on both sides, glue and screw into each other. Does that work ? and paint it black .. so having the mdf in the middle and plywood sandwich?

That should have a lot of strength.