How would I clean all this calcium buildup on my aquarium?

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ceatwood

New Dad! Picture overload ahead!
Jan 17, 2006
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I posted in another thread that I use Barkeepers Friend which is a mixture of a few acids, vinegar included, on anything I can remove from the tank, hoods, filter tops, filter intake if need be, etc and use it on them, then RINSE RINSE RINSE and my last rinse is usually in a 5 gal bucket with dechorinator, don't think the last step does too much but it makes me feel good.

On my tank stuff I can't remove I use a small pocket knife and wet sponge to get it off, it's slow and time consuming but I don't like the risk of using a chemical that could get into the water. Someone else in that same thread suggested the Magic Eraser sponges that are available and I am going to give that a try, mostly because I am lazy and like anything that could save me effort.

Muratic/hydrochloric acid availabe at pool supply, tile shops, hardware stores works a lot faster but carries more risk as well. I would proably use that (cheaper) if I had a place I could store it, and didn't have a small child that will soon be crawling over everything.
 

kelp

Registered Member
Feb 5, 2006
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I think I'm going to go with the "Safe and Easy" solution because everything else sounds like too much of a risk, and I'm prone to having stuff accidently fall into the aquarium.

I did try the vinegar approach to some of the filter parts, but I'm worried I did not rinse them well enough.
 

Soulcoffr

Casiotone Nation
Jan 9, 2004
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Just soak them in a baking soda solution to neutralize the acid, then rinse with water really well.

Acids are easily dispatched this way.
 

Rob24

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Apr 21, 2003
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I also use vinegar. I take everything away from the tank. tear it apart, Put it in a bucket with an old powerhead (running) and let it work it's magic! Some times it takes a day or two for it all to come off. Rinse well, re assemble. No need to spend a bunch of money on specific fish tank cleaners.
 

verbal

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May 4, 2010
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It is hard to go wrong with vinegar for scaly build up. If I was worried about an high pH tank, a baking soda rinse and/or baking soda in the tank should take care of any issues.
 

countryboy

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Jul 20, 2012
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Soak the affected areas in viniger for two hours and scrub it clean. Rinse really well and it will look brand new and still be fish safe.
+5
 
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