Cleaning old fish tank / enclosure questions

Dyn · 11-06-2009, 09:13 PM

I'm not exactly sure where to go with this question. Its conserning a future tarantula enclosure and I think some of these questions could be covered here.

I recently received a 10 gallon tank that was used for fish by a friend. They got out of them and brought over this tank to me because I can always use them with my growing Herp and Invert collection. It was left outside for probably 2 months and wasnt touched. I just brought it in and bleached some of it out.

Does anyone know the best way to clean up a tank that was used for fish. It has a white film stuck to it probably calcium deposits but I'm not sure.

I dont want to use something that could possibly linger longer than I would expect and harm the tarantula.

Also I plan on having it on end with a drop down door. How should I go about cutting the plexiglass to have the door fit snug. Should i measure exactly Its 19 x 9.5 but I was curious if I should add maybe 1/16th of an inch to it to make sure its very tight fitting or if a pretty exact measurement would work.

Xian · 11-06-2009, 09:55 PM

It's probably lime, from city water. You can scrape it off with a good razorblade, that would save you alot of scrubbing.

Xian · 11-06-2009, 09:57 PM

Oh Yeah, add the thickness of the sawblade to the length of the plexiglass.

**Nerri1029** · 11-06-2009, 10:01 PM

Vinegar is your friend

Dyn · 11-06-2009, 10:40 PM

Thanks I'll be sure to give both a try.

jayefbe · 11-06-2009, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nerri1029

Vinegar is your friend

I've also heard lemon juice will also work wonders, works on the same principles as vinegar.

Dyn · 11-07-2009, 01:52 AM

Vinegar didnt seem to take any of it off.

Do I need to scrub rather hard with it? I was just using a papertowel hoping that it would just wipe off looked like it but once it dried it was still there.

Vaughn · 11-07-2009, 08:38 AM

Kosher salt , make a paste it will take it off .

**Nerri1029** · 11-07-2009, 09:14 AM

OK Vinegar and TIME.

A stronger acid would be better, but vinegar is easy to get a hold of.

Personally I'd use "Lime-Away" but I was assuming you'd want to stay away from potent commercial cleaners.

If rinsed sufficiently any scale removing cleaner would work.

Vinegar is still my choice for most applications, just allow it time to work. ( soaking overnight etc. )

**Nerri1029** · 11-07-2009, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dyn

Vinegar didnt seem to take any of it off.

Do I need to scrub rather hard with it? I was just using a papertowel hoping that it would just wipe off looked like it but once it dried it was still there.

If the glass is etched then you have a different problem.

the Kosher Salt might scratch it as well so be careful.

Zdufty · 11-07-2009, 10:05 AM

Go to the store, and get a box of razor blades, hold them on a 45 degree angle to the glass, wet the glass, and start pushing the calcium off with the razor. I have a box on my shelf just for this purpose.

Dyn · 11-07-2009, 10:50 AM

There was no instructions with the vinegar =P I was just putting it on there kinda wiping it alittle hoping it would come off easy. That would take a long time letting each side soak over night. Without using 10 gallons of vinegar that is. =P

I dont mind using cleaners I just wanted to make sure no bad residue would be left over to effect the tarantula. Like if I used something the silicone could pick up some of it and effect the T's alittle later down the road.

I'm picking up a couple of razors today at work to give that a try.

What does etched glass entitle?

sntcruzan · 11-07-2009, 11:08 AM

To get the deposits off of glass the fastest way is to put a little soap and water in the tank and use a metal scrubbie to remove any build up. Works fast and leaves no scratches on a glaa tank. I got the tip from a aquarium friend.
Fred

arachnotime · 11-07-2009, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sntcruzan

To get the deposits off of glass the fastest way is to put a little soap and water in the tank and use a metal scrubbie to remove any build up. Works fast and leaves no scratches on a glaa tank. I got the tip from a aquarium friend.
Fred

Ahhh Thats a great tip...Thanks!

Dyn · 11-08-2009, 12:28 PM

after letting clr sit on it for over a minute and having it not take off the white stuff I dont think there is much hope of this tank being clean again.

Tried the razor blade too it cleaned it up some but wasnt very noticeable.

11-06-2009, 09:13 PM	#1
Dyn Arachnosquire Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 67 My Mood:	Cleaning old fish tank / enclosure questions I'm not exactly sure where to go with this question. Its conserning a future tarantula enclosure and I think some of these questions could be covered here. I recently received a 10 gallon tank that was used for fish by a friend. They got out of them and brought over this tank to me because I can always use them with my growing Herp and Invert collection. It was left outside for probably 2 months and wasnt touched. I just brought it in and bleached some of it out. Does anyone know the best way to clean up a tank that was used for fish. It has a white film stuck to it probably calcium deposits but I'm not sure. I dont want to use something that could possibly linger longer than I would expect and harm the tarantula. Also I plan on having it on end with a drop down door. How should I go about cutting the plexiglass to have the door fit snug. Should i measure exactly Its 19 x 9.5 but I was curious if I should add maybe 1/16th of an inch to it to make sure its very tight fitting or if a pretty exact measurement would work.

11-06-2009, 10:01 PM	#4
Nerri1029 Chief Cook n Bottlewasher Arachnomoderator Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: NY - VT - CAN border Posts: 1,605 My Mood:	Vinegar is your friend __________________ "Show me, show me, show me how you do that trick The one that makes me scream" she said "The one that makes me laugh" she said. And threw her arms around my neck "Show me how you do it And I promise you I promise that I'll run away with you..."

11-07-2009, 09:14 AM	#9
Nerri1029 Chief Cook n Bottlewasher Arachnomoderator Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: NY - VT - CAN border Posts: 1,605 My Mood:	OK Vinegar and TIME. A stronger acid would be better, but vinegar is easy to get a hold of. Personally I'd use "Lime-Away" but I was assuming you'd want to stay away from potent commercial cleaners. If rinsed sufficiently any scale removing cleaner would work. Vinegar is still my choice for most applications, just allow it time to work. ( soaking overnight etc. ) __________________ "Show me, show me, show me how you do that trick The one that makes me scream" she said "The one that makes me laugh" she said. And threw her arms around my neck "Show me how you do it And I promise you I promise that I'll run away with you..."

11-07-2009, 11:08 AM	#13
sntcruzan Follower of Jesus Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Santa Cruz, California Posts: 152	To get the deposits off of glass the fastest way is to put a little soap and water in the tank and use a metal scrubbie to remove any build up. Works fast and leaves no scratches on a glaa tank. I got the tip from a aquarium friend. Fred __________________ Fred MacDonell SFBATS Member www.sfbats.org Reviews Here http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showthread.php?t=89637 I'd rather be politically incorrect, than believe that everything is right

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11-06-2009, 09:55 PM	#2
Xian Arachnosquire Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Tacoma Posts: 72	It's probably lime, from city water. You can scrape it off with a good razorblade, that would save you alot of scrubbing.

11-06-2009, 09:57 PM	#3
Xian Arachnosquire Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Tacoma Posts: 72	Oh Yeah, add the thickness of the sawblade to the length of the plexiglass.

11-06-2009, 10:40 PM	#5
Dyn Arachnosquire Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 67 My Mood:	Thanks I'll be sure to give both a try.

11-07-2009, 01:52 AM	#7
Dyn Arachnosquire Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 67 My Mood:	Vinegar didnt seem to take any of it off. Do I need to scrub rather hard with it? I was just using a papertowel hoping that it would just wipe off looked like it but once it dried it was still there.

11-07-2009, 08:38 AM	#8
Vaughn Arachnosquire Join Date: May 2008 Location: Metro Detroit Posts: 73 My Mood:	Kosher salt , make a paste it will take it off .

11-07-2009, 10:05 AM	#11
Zdufty Arachnopeon Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 2	Go to the store, and get a box of razor blades, hold them on a 45 degree angle to the glass, wet the glass, and start pushing the calcium off with the razor. I have a box on my shelf just for this purpose.

11-07-2009, 10:50 AM	#12
Dyn Arachnosquire Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 67 My Mood:	There was no instructions with the vinegar =P I was just putting it on there kinda wiping it alittle hoping it would come off easy. That would take a long time letting each side soak over night. Without using 10 gallons of vinegar that is. =P I dont mind using cleaners I just wanted to make sure no bad residue would be left over to effect the tarantula. Like if I used something the silicone could pick up some of it and effect the T's alittle later down the road. I'm picking up a couple of razors today at work to give that a try. What does etched glass entitle?

11-08-2009, 12:28 PM	#15
Dyn Arachnosquire Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 67 My Mood:	after letting clr sit on it for over a minute and having it not take off the white stuff I dont think there is much hope of this tank being clean again. Tried the razor blade too it cleaned it up some but wasnt very noticeable.

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