Lime/Calcium buildup - Aquarium Advice

gard · 01-15-2006, 09:22 PM

I was just given an old 20 gallon aquarium and it has a bad Lime/Calcium buildup on the glass. None of the fish stores sell any fish safe cleaner, so I am wondering what works best to remove this buildup?

rich311k · 01-15-2006, 09:24 PM

white vinegar and salt make a paste and scrub away.

gard · 01-15-2006, 09:28 PM

This will not scratch the glass?

rich311k · 01-15-2006, 09:35 PM

No I have done it several times.

Wizzard~Of~Ozz · 01-15-2006, 10:40 PM

straight razor blade will get rid of most of it.

Lonewolfblue · 01-15-2006, 11:33 PM

I just used white vinegar and worked just fine on the 55G I got from my friend. Had the same thing. Straight white vinegar on a papertowel. Just get the small 20 oz bottle. I didn't even use a half a bottle, but did use lots of papertowels.

gard · 01-16-2006, 12:19 AM

Thanks, I will try the vinegar tonight.

01-15-2006, 09:22 PM	#1
gard Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: South Dakota Posts: 19	Lime/Calcium buildup I was just given an old 20 gallon aquarium and it has a bad Lime/Calcium buildup on the glass. None of the fish stores sell any fish safe cleaner, so I am wondering what works best to remove this buildup?

01-15-2006, 10:40 PM	#5
Wizzard~Of~Ozz Aquarium Advice Addict Community Mentor Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,015 Images: 2	straight razor blade will get rid of most of it. __________________ 120 Gal SW, 150lbs Prem. Fiji, 23Gal Sump, 2x250w 15K MH, 4x65w Actinic 3 x Halichoeres Chrysus (1 surfed), 3 x Nemateleotris magnifica, 1 x Centropyge bicolor, 11 x Scarlet Hermits, 6 x Zebra Hermits, 40 x Astrea Snails, 6 x Nassarius Snails, 3 x Cerith Snails

01-15-2006, 11:33 PM	#6
Lonewolfblue Planted Geek Community Mentor Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Wenatchee, WA Posts: 7,871 Images: 7	I just used white vinegar and worked just fine on the 55G I got from my friend. Had the same thing. Straight white vinegar on a papertowel. Just get the small 20 oz bottle. I didn't even use a half a bottle, but did use lots of papertowels. __________________ 26G Medium Planted Community - 65W CF Lighting - Emperor 280 Bio-Wheel - Established Feb 2004 55G Aggressive Community - Filstar XP3 - Established Dec 2005 75G Heavily Planted - Pressurized CO2, 520W Lighting, Filstar XP3 with spraybar - Established Feb 2006 29G Planted - 130W Lighting, Filstar XP2 with spraybar - Established May 2006 5 10G Tanks - Various setups - Tanks Established May-Sep 2006. 3 currently empty. 5.5G Crypt/Java Fern Tank - Established Oct 2006 My 29G Thread : http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=78469 My 75G Thread : http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=70764 My 75G Makeover Thread: http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=87691

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01-15-2006, 09:24 PM	#2
rich311k Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 8,972 Images: 35	white vinegar and salt make a paste and scrub away.

01-15-2006, 09:28 PM	#3
gard Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: South Dakota Posts: 19	This will not scratch the glass?

01-15-2006, 09:35 PM	#4
rich311k Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 8,972 Images: 35	No I have done it several times.

01-16-2006, 12:19 AM	#7
gard Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: South Dakota Posts: 19	Thanks, I will try the vinegar tonight.