Tank has white cloudy film on it - any ideas what it is and how to get rid of it?

R

Reynard Ridge

Registered Member
Feb 11, 2006
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Bought 37 gallon tank from ad in newspaper. First tank. It had a cloudy white kind of film on what I think is the inside of the glass (I think it is glass, anyway - bottom sticker says 'tempered glass, do not drill').

Since the film 'disappeared' when you put water on it, I stupidly thought it would not impact the appearance of the tank. I was wrong.

I filled the tank and cycled with a two mollies and two swordtails. When done cycling, I put in five glow tetras and five danios for a total of 14 fish.

But. The tank water does not look clear because of the film on the tank. I did some internet research and decided it was mineral deposits left over from previous owner's hard water. So, husband and I decided we would take the chance and start the tank all over again. Moved fish out to temporary tank, emptied 37 gallons and put used vinegar to scrub deposits. Nothing, and I mean NOTHING came off. Since we have a power washer (which we were planning to use on it once we had scrubbed off deposits to get rid of all the vinegar), huband decided to try some nasty stuff - lime remover. Also did not remove the film!

Any ideas what this stuff might be?? I can't scrap it off - and seems chemicals are not going to take it off. Do I need to retire the tank and get a new one???

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.
 
Have you tried a vinegar solution? Vinegar has always worked really well for me on mineral deposits.
 
Doesn't seem scratched - it looks like something that should come off. And it is all over the glass - except in small areas. Whoever last had the tank had some kind of thermo. up in a corner. And that part of the glass is crystal clear - the little circle where the suction cup held the thermo., that is.
 
I would try a new razor blade and scrunge sort of scrubber....and a lot of elbow grease. This works for me with the deposits on my glass tops from my hard water.
 
I've heard that a product called "Oxy Clean" works very well on tanks, and is safe if you rinse the tank thoroughly after using it. You can buy it at the hardware store.
 
I used some lime away on a tank once and it softened the silicone seal. It was starting to peel off and got runny. So dont get chemicals on the seal unless you know it is safe. I would try a new razorblade. Do not use those scratch pads, they will scratch your glass up.
 
I believe hard water minerals can actually etch your glass. (It happens to cars all the time.) It looks like stuff is on the glass, but it is permanent. I'm unsure how this would have happened as I think it takes heat and total evaporation. Maybe the previous owner let the tank evaporate until it was dry? Is the problem more noticable near the top of the tank and not as bad at the bottom?
 
Drekkyk said:
I believe hard water minerals can actually etch your glass. (It happens to cars all the time.) It looks like stuff is on the glass, but it is permanent. I'm unsure how this would have happened as I think it takes heat and total evaporation. Maybe the previous owner let the tank evaporate until it was dry? Is the problem more noticable near the top of the tank and not as bad at the bottom?
Click to expand...

Ahha. Maybe. The tank was sold because of a divorce and the woman who sold it (not the aquarium person) had used it as a hermit crab tank. Maybe tank was abandoned - and it evaporated? Or maybe hermit crab inhabitants had something to do with it.

By the way, thank you to everyone who has replied. I really appreciate that people are willing to help out a new person.
 
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