8 replies to this topic

[cort88]

Hi all,

I have two 3' tanks and the person i bought them from had kept tangs in them and theres calcium deposits all over the sides. I've tried scraping it with razor blades, wiping with CLR, a few anti-rust products etc and it's just not coming off. Is there anything i can use to get it off or is on there for good? It's not vitally important that it comes off as there's black backing goin on 3 sides but it looks crappy!

Cheers
Cort

[Kimbo]

For all of mine i put on some clr then wile it was sinking in started at it with the razor blade, and it got rid of the majority of it all

[anchar]

Some marks will not come off, no matter you use if the tank is old. I use pH down quite successfully and a blade.

merjo

[finding newo]

I used HCL.

[canerod]

try vinegar, or if that doesn't do it, use hydrochloric acid (the pool supply shops sell a 28% concentrate) mix the concentrate at a rate of 1 part to 5 parts water. it should fizz when it hits the calcium.

DO NOT FORGET GLOVES AND GOGGLES.
yes that was shouted (don't want you going blind)

don't use a razor because the razor pushing solid calcium across the glass will probably scratch the glass.

[mcrusty]

hey i heard that bleach does the trick. i spose it works the same way as the HCl but im guessing it would be easier to get to and maybee cheaper to.

[finding newo]

hcl can be purchased from bunnings.
just goto the section where you order wood and stuff from... they have it in a cage locked up out the back.
werd.

[Bristly]

Stick to acid in one form or another. It dissolves the calcium and turns it into a salt and gas. I have never tried lemon juice but I bet it will work. HCL is easy, cheap and highly effective but the liquid and fumes are both dangerous. PH Down will work slowly. Easiest is to fill the tank and keep it acid for a week or so until it is clean, then flush it and go from there.

[MathMan]

I had an old Marine tank that was filthy with calcium stains. I found that HCl worked very good but there was still a mark on the tank even after I scrubbed it and everything with the HCl. I found that using a VERY fine sandpaper with the HCl on the glass got off everything and didn't scratch the glass either.....