Cleaning out used tank, help please.

Beau is hosting the January Meeting this coming Saturday the 14th at 6PM.  It will be BYOB as well as a snack to share and raffle items are always welcome.  It has been requested that there be “NO SHOES” on the carpet due to it being a whitish color.

He doesn’t have a tank to view but we will have plenty to discuss in hopes that it will get the NEW YEAR off to a good start.  The annual membership fees are due, so now would be a good time to get them in to our Treasurer Stacey Hahn.   Fees are $20 per individual or $25 per family

Attendance was low at the election meeting in November and no votes were taken at December’s meeting so we have decided to take votes for anyone that didn’t get the opportunity in November and will be attending this meeting.  
We will add the votes to November’s ballots and the announcement will be made during the meeting so we can go forward.
NOMINATIONS:
President:  Jim & Nacho
V. President: Ed, Bo & Daniel Leigey
Treasurer: Stacey
Secretary: Carmen & Angie

Let’s hope the New Year brings new members, returning members and new ideas.  The club is always willing to take suggestions to get the most out of the hobby we all enjoy.

Please PM Nate C. by clicking here for directions if you are not a club member.  

Club members can click here to go to the club member only forum to get directions.

Hope to see you all there!

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[Andy]

I’m going to set up a reef tank. My brother has a freshwater acrylic 55gal tank (42Lx13Wx20H). He said I could have the tank, stand and light housings. His last fish died about a year ago. He has not drained the water out. The water has been evaporating away over time; it still has water and gravel in it. I know, Yuk! The tank has a lot of mineral deposits on the inside and out.

Ok, now for the questions. What is the best way to remove mineral deposits from an acrylic tank? I don’t think I want to use any soaps or cleaners on the inside of the tank. I have read about using vinegar and water. Is this the only way to clean the inside of the tank?

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. I’m not scared of elbow grease. I’m just trying to get a feel for if this is worth the effort. I know that cleaning of the tank will save me a ton of money. The tank is in bad shape, I should have taken pictures.

Andy

[Rico]

Andy,

I have found that Muriatic acid will do the job very well and it rinses clean with clear water.  I use it all the time to clean up calcium deposits on my skimmer, pumps and other misc parts.  You can buy a gallon at ACE in Richland for under $5.   Just be careful when you use it.  I would take the aquarium outside, preferably on some old grass you don't care much about.  Pour in about 1 cup of acid and then gently roll and tip the aquarium around so the acid can get to the hard water deposits.  You can tell when it is doing its job, it will foam & bubble.  When the bubbles stop either the area is clean or the acid needs to be replenished.   Check the aquarium by gently pouring out the acid on the ground (have a garden hose running in grass to dilute what you pour out) then rinse the tank out with the hose.  If you get a nylon brush, like the ones used on toilet bowls, you can easily scrub into the corners and up under the top lip of the tank.  The acid will have loosened up the muck and deposits and it should all come clean.  For stubborn spots repeat the acid treatment.   Be sure to rinse out the aquarium thoroughly when done.

Rick

[Andy]

Thank you for the advice. The muraidic acid should make the clean up a fairly simply job.

Andy