Used Tank...cleaning and paint removal

[Captain Hook]

I'm buying a 72 gallon bowfront that I found for a great deal. The inside of the tank has some algae and scum that I want to clean off. Any suggestions on what to use or do? I don't want to scrape with anything like a razor because that could scratch the glass easily.

Also the guy spray painted some kind of paint on the back of the tank. It's mostly black with white specks. I'm thinking it will be too much trouble taking it off. What do you think?

 

[OldVamp]

Its not that easy to scratch glass with a razor, and the razor would be the safest way to remove the paint from the back. I just aquired 6 used 20 gallon tanks with glass tops that were pretty crusty. I scraped all 6 of them with a single edge razor and never made a mark.

You could use a old credit card or similar plastic card on the algae if you really didn't want to use a razor.

 

[daveedka]

Fully agreed with old Vamp, if it is a glass tank and not acrylic, a razor is the way to go. vinegar removes lime well, ammonia removees algea pretty well. I've heard oxy clean is good, and bleach is good because you can declorinate easily after rinsing.
As far as the paint, the razor blade is almost a must. beyond that I'd try either or nitrous oxide (starting fluid at the aouto parts store) do not get these items inside your tank, and I would reccomend spaying them on a towell and rubbing it on the tank, not spraying directly on the tank. the reason I would use starting fluid is that it leaves very little if any residue (evaporates quickly and completely), so the need to clean becomes less critical, you still want to clean it off, but if you don't get every single bit off it won't be as risky as paint removers.

 

[Captain Hook]

Thanks for the tips. I'm not sure if I'll try taking the paint off, sounds like a pretty big job and possibly difficult. A friend recommended I try a product called "Clean-it" so I'm going to buy that tomorrow if it's reasonable.

He says it's strong as heck and recommends using rubber gloves with it. It's from a fish store too so it must be ok to use and everything. As long as I rinse well I think it will work good.

Can't wait to get the tank and everything tomorrow...will update soon.