YamahaF934
Well-known member
I got a new (old) tank but it has some hard water stains (or stains from salt) on the lid, etc. What is the best way to clean this off. I know vinegar but it doesn't seem to cut it.
How to Remove Hard Water Stains on Glass
- Thread starter YamahaF934
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NC2WA
Well-known member
how about lemon or lime juice??
crazyfish253
Well-known member
3 ott steel wool with soft scrub.
jrgilles
Well-known member
Careful with old tanks. Silicone is often shot, and the tanks will leak. I discovered this with my used 50 gallon sump. Got it all built and installed, then it started dumping water on the floor. Ended up having to take it out, knock out all the baffles and plexiglas, then got some guy to redo the silicone for like $15. Now it is great, but was a HUGE headache. May want to redo the silicone before you put water in it....
Ended up with a lot of water on my floor, and had to buy a big rubbermaid tub to act as a temporary sump. I will never use a used tank again without getting it rebuilt.
Ended up with a lot of water on my floor, and had to buy a big rubbermaid tub to act as a temporary sump. I will never use a used tank again without getting it rebuilt.
YamahaF934
Well-known member
Thanks. It's not that old and has pretty think silicone but I was going to at least put another layer in the inside just to be safe? Should I completely remove the old silicone first?
E
eww
Guest
Unfortunately it's not as simple as just laying a new layer over the old one. You will need to remove all the old silicone first including any residue left behind. The new silicone will not stick to the old silicone at all.
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JJMoneyman
Well-known member
Yes if you want to re-silicone remove the old first. You can also attack the heavy water deposits with a razor blade while you're scraping away silicone.
Raamiah
Well-known member
I've got some hard water stains on an old FW tank that is currently empty and razor blade doesn't seem to do much nor does vinegar. It's very cloudy looking on the glass. Any other suggestions on how to remove hard water?
YamahaF934
Well-known member
Ya that is what I am experiencing. It's on the top support brace.
Krish
RF STAFF
My first thought was vinegar, but I see it didn't work. What about boiling water?? Just a thought. 
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I would fill it up with 1:10, acid:water. Let it sit over night and it will look brand new.
Have done this many times.
Have done this many times.
YamahaF934
Well-known member
Does this hurt the silicone at all? The problem area I am trying to treat is the top brace. Kinda hard to submerge in water.
I've never had an issue. If it's just around the top I'd mix up 1:5 in a separate container. Use a tooth brush dipped in that solution and clean around the top. Make sure you use good gloves and eye protection and rinse the area well when done. Maybe mix up some bicarb and use that to rinse it. I'd also put some water in the tank to dilute the solution as it builds in the bottom.
Raamiah
Well-known member
What kind of acid?
Sorry, I should have been more specific.
I use the Muriatic Acid you can find at Home Depot and most any swimming pool supply store.
Muriatic Acid from Smart | The Home Depot - Model#: 2118 HD
THx for the information OldSaint.
Raamiah
Well-known member
I'm going to try it today but I found some stuff called Safer Acid? (I think..I'll have to check when I get home) It's muriatic acid but it supposedly won't burn the skin and it has 90% less fumes than regular muriatic acid. I found it at my local hardware store that was taken over by Ace Hardware.
