discolored tank glass

markerum · 09-30-2006, 10:39 PM

I inherited a tank that has not been used in years. It has discolored glass like water stains. The tank is glass and I have tried a razor, vinegar, and still cannot get the stains off, any suggestions???

Teddy · 10-01-2006, 03:01 AM

Try getting a new tank... lol

thewebpop · 10-01-2006, 03:33 AM

How does it look when it is full of water, some tanks look bad dry but once water is loaded it look OK. Just a thought.
later. Pop's

Loman · 10-01-2006, 11:32 AM

Markerum,
What does the stain appear to be? Is it on one side of the glass or both? I would try taking a scotch bright pad to it if I could feel it at all. I would not suggest cleaners inside the tank but simple elbow grease can cure a lot when combined with a Scotch brite pad that is slightly abrasive. If it is outside the tank you have a few more options to use chemicals. It could simply be a discoloration in the glass that has developed due to storage conditions etc. In which case I would be with Pop's and hope it looked okay when filled or could be hidden with a background or something.

Teddy · 10-01-2006, 02:05 PM

How big is the tank?

markerum · 10-01-2006, 07:48 PM

the tank is 55 gallons and I have put alot of scrubbing into it with those pads. even a razor blade but it does not want to come off but it did get a little better.

Loman · 10-01-2006, 07:50 PM

Markerum,
Any idea what created the stain? Is it on the inside, outside, both sides of the glass, or appear to be through out?

markerum · 10-02-2006, 05:29 PM

the stains are inside the tank, I am presuming chemicals in the water? stagnant water? I don't know what made the stains but they sure won't come off.

Jay · 10-02-2006, 05:46 PM

Are they white etched looking stains? Like old mineral deposits?

You have nothing to loose, you could try starting with a mild acid like vinegar and work up to muriatic acid that professional Swimming Pool maintenance guys use to clean the sides of pools and see what results you get.

Just my $.02

Jay

Tommy Gun · 10-05-2006, 08:33 PM

I would use this option last, as it will take you a long time to get through and then make the tank safe for fish, but I had this problem with a tank I was given by a coworker who had the tank in his basement, without fish, but with water, for about a year. The inside of the tank appeared to have 'rusted' (most likely from hard water) and was slightly brownish or tan. Putting water in the tank, even fresh, clear water, made the effect worse.

I made a mixture of Bleach and water at a 10 to 1 ratio. So, this tank was about 40 gallons and I added 4 gallons of bleach and filled the rest with water. The tank sat (covered because of the bleach smell) for about a week. The tank did not appear to be any clearer, until I drained it. The major tan or brownish color did come out, but there is still just a slight tint to it. I rinsed and rinsed the tank to get out the bleach and then let water sit in the tank with some dechlorinator. I ran that tank for about 6 months without any problems. The only reason I do not have it up right now is because I moved.