The silicone in my tank is stained

[An t-iasg]

I used Bettamax in my tank. It turns the water green. My silicone is also spotted green now. I changed 50% of the water and ran carbon for 24 hours to pull out the rest of the green color, but the silicone is still stained. I didn't want to scrub the silicon with a glass aquarium pad, because I didn't want to risk pulling it off. This tank is only 3 weeks old. I do realize that most meds say they will stain the silicone. Is there anything I can do to remove the present stain, or anything I can do to prevent a stain the next time I give a med?

 

[afFISHionado]

There are two things you can do. One will definetly work, the other I'm not sure about. Both will require emptying the tank. Here's a method that worked for me. While empty, I took a razor and trimmed the excess bead off both sides of all 4 corners. Be VERY careful not to let the razor into the seam - you can use a straight edge to help prevent this. This will minimize the visible surface that is stained and does not compromise the structural integrity of the tank. The other thing you could try is bleach (of course while empty) though I am not sure if it would work - and of course you'd have to rinse it THOROUGHLY when done.

 

[An t-iasg]

Hi the_afFISHionad,
Thanks...I just set up the tank 3 weeks ago, so I guess it wouldn't be wise from the fishes' point of view to take them out, put them back in their bowls for a few days and take care of the silicone just for a cosmetic issue. Boy...leave it to a newbie to ruin a new tank! I just bought a new med., Kanacyn, that is a white powder and you can't even tell it's in there. I don't think I'll use the Bettamax again. I can tell the fish really don't like the dark green water either. They lie on the bottom and "pout"! Don't blame them, I guess!

Anyway, thanks again, and if I tear down the tank someday I'll try to get the stain off. But, I suppose, a stained silicone strip is better than sick fish!

 

[Techboy]

take a towel and scrub the silicon. the towel is soft and wont pull it off
F.Y.I a uv starolizer will stop this problem from hapaning again or you can use a chemical called algae destroyer

 

[Terry]

I agree with Techboy, use a soft rag or towel and a bit of elbow power. if it is because of the look of the silicon from the outside, cover the corners with some beading and it won't be seen. There is going to be something out there that will match the look of your aquarium so it won't look out off place, and you won't see the stained silicon.