Cleaning off salt residue

S

snickle

AC Members
Jan 4, 2007
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I am in the process of setting up my 90G, it used to be a salt water tank, so was encrusted with salt residue when I bought it. I figured the salt would dissolve once it was filled with water.

Wrong. Scrubbing removes the old algae stains, but not the salt residue. Any suggestions?
 
Certain algae scrapers, a razorblade, vinegar, bleach...

Of course, depending on what you use, obviously try not to scratch your tank and make sure to thoroughly rinse if you use something like bleach- and use a dechlorinator. And if you opt for a cleaner- you'll have to take your new water out.
 
I am planning on a couple of complete water changes before actually setting the tank up for fish.

Bleach does not seem to work on the deposits.

How much vinegar would I need to add?

I saw a post on google about using Calgon laundry additive. THoughts?
 
I'm always wary about soap-based chemicals but am sure others have used them- I would think that would be more difficult to rinse. Is it a glass or acrylic tank? I'd try the razorblade on glass but definitely not on acrylic (unless you want to buff out scratches). You can always try an inconspicuous area first if you're worried about scratching the glass.

I just did a search and on three separate sites I found

-rubbing alcohol and white vinegar
-vinegar or diluted muriatic acid

and this was probably the most helpful article:

http://saltaquarium.about.com/library/weekly/aa042402.htm

Let us know what works for you.
 
:dance2: coca cola cleans most things have you seen what it can do to a penny!! how safe it would be i have no idea, someone will say i have no doubt lol:dance2:
 
Watch the razor blade wor around your slicone seal.
 
muriatic acid .. found in most building supply houses. there's no need to 'dilute' it with vinegar .. muriatic acid is already diluted hydrochloric acid, it's perfectly safe, yet strong enough for the job.
 
for scrubbing use baking soda, plastic scrubber.. but watch its use with vinegar, remember school days ... vinegar and baking soda? they use this combo to clean drains.. but it is all natural..
 
I acquired (for free) a tank like that, but everything I tried (and I tried all of the above) did not work. I even tried the muratic acid and I couldn't get the haze off.

I thought it was salt also, but I believe the glass got etched somehow... Hopefully that's not the case with yours. I never did use it for FW fish, but I'm overwintering my pond plants in it.

Good Luck,

Michele
 
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