Impossible to clean glass?

[fishfanatic]

I am in the process of taking down a tank, cleaning it up and putting it storage. This tank has had this strange build up for a few months it is only around the top 6 inches of the tank, I was unable to clean it without the aid of chemicals. Now that there are no fish I have tried vinegar and a razor blade I have also tried pot scrubbers. This stuff is just not coming off! Is there a household cleaner I could use? How will I be certain it is fish safe after washing out?

 

[Ian086]

Sounds like limescale/calcium build up. Have a look for a product called "Easy-Off BAM". It's a bathroom cleaner. A few different types, i use the Limescale remover. This stuff is brilliant at removing all types of gunk. I used it in a second tank I bought. It had very heavy calcium stains on it and it removed them in 5mins. I had fish in the tank later that day. I put the tank in the shower, upside down. Sprayed directly onto the stains, leave for a few mins and it just wipes off. Rinse it very very well with warm water. I use the shower.....
***WARNING***....Only use it on a glass aquarium.

 

[fishfanatic]

I couldn't find the chemical mentioned above, but I did try a Mr clean magic eraser and it worked wonders on the algae and some hard water spots! It didn't get the hazy stuff off the glass but I am now convinced that it is not coming off. I tried KABOOM, Mr clean magic eraser (bathroom), vinegar, and lime-a-way nothing touched it! It didn't even fade, Gerr! Well I guess in two years I will find out if I rinsed it comes enough :/

 

[Ian086]

I know you said you tried vinegar. With glass being porouis, try using some dish cloths, soak them in neat vinegar, leave for +24hrs, making sure they stay wet with vinegar. This might get into the pores of the glass and remove the haze....

 

[fishfanatic]

That is a great idea, but the tank is already put away. I will give it a shot when I break it out next time thanks for the suggestion

 

[Ian086]

That is a great idea, but the tank is already put away. I will give it a shot when I break it out next time thanks for the suggestion

No problem. I guess we'll know if it works.....in 2yrs time!!!

 

[Plecolover18]

get a rubberlip pleco they work great on algae control and dont need driftwood!

 

[Mebbid]

Was there ever any saltwater in the tank?