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Thread: Removing Water Stains / Lime Deposits (Secret Weapon)

  1. #1
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    Removing Water Stains / Lime Deposits (Secret Weapon)

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    First of all I have to state that this is not a product endorsement or advertisement, I just wanted to share something interesting with my fellow AQers, hehe.

    I was running my 3ft without a chiller for about 7 months, cooling it with 3x 80mm 12v DC Fans, the evaporation rate was killer, I was topping up about 25 Liters of water every 4 - 5 days.

    Over time a serious amount of deposits collected around the top of the tank, I'll show you the horrifying picture.
    Before.jpg
    Eventually it got so bad I decommed the tank and transferred its occupants into several other smaller tanks.


    I managed to find this sponge at a provision store, and I proceeded to attack the problem with diluted white vinegar, it wasn't really working, and it was incredibly tedious.
    sponge.jpg

    I decided to try something I had around for cleaning my marine tank. A cleaning product called Rowa Ezeclean, its used mainly for removing coralline algae buildup in marine tanks / equipment.
    ezeclean.jpg

    I believe its an organo-phosphoric acid, and I couldn't find any information on its toxicity online, but I decided to give it a go any way. I've used it many times on my marine tank equipment (not while its in the tank of course) and didn't have issues with it.

    Quite amazing how well it worked, I had to remove the hood to clean it properly, but it was cutting through the lime deposits very rapidly, about an hour later.
    After.jpg

    So yeah I'd say it was pretty effective. I very thoroughly rinsed and cleaned out the tank afterwards, just playing around with some rocks in there for now, but haven't decided when to start cycling it yet, I still need to plumb in my chiller.

    I've not seen anyone else try this and the product isn't sold for this purpose either, so try at your own risk, heh

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    Re: Removing Water Stains / Lime Deposits (Secret Weapon)

    Thanks for sharing. I go with the easier way by using a lemon cut in half and rub on the deposits. It clears the hard water stains nicely and cheaper.

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    Re: Removing Water Stains / Lime Deposits (Secret Weapon)

    Cool stuff. Thanks for sharing guys. This is what the forum is about.

    This thread is getting a sticky.
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    Re: Removing Water Stains / Lime Deposits (Secret Weapon)

    Thank for sharing, I will be recover a old tank soon, this info come in handy.
    silane

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    Re: Removing Water Stains / Lime Deposits (Secret Weapon)

    Not sure what Rowa Ezeclean is but will it scratch to the glass?
    -Robert
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    Re: Removing Water Stains / Lime Deposits (Secret Weapon)

    no it won't scratch or damage glass, acrylic or other plastics, I've tried on all surfaces.

    Its not an abrasive, but its an organic acid based solvent as far as I've been able to figure.

    It comes in dry form, looks like sugar crystals. instructions are to dissolve 12 teaspoons of it in 1 liter of water. Should be able to make at least 6 - 10 liters from one jar, if I recall correctly it was less than $20.

    I used less than 200ml to clean the 3 footer for rough estimate, so this stuff goes a long way.
    Last edited by bossteck; 27th Nov 2009 at 20:17. Reason: coded pricing

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    Re: Removing Water Stains / Lime Deposits (Secret Weapon)

    Quote Originally Posted by jeffL View Post
    Thanks for sharing. I go with the easier way by using a lemon cut in half and rub on the deposits. It clears the hard water stains nicely and cheaper.
    Will the lemon juice cause any effect on the silcone glue? How long would it take to dissolve the deposits on the tank walls?

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    Re: Removing Water Stains / Lime Deposits (Secret Weapon)

    Read on another forum about Melamine Foam which is a piece of foam found at Daiso. The guy was restoring an old tank and it seemed to work quite well.
    Suckerfish no eat poo poo.

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    Re: Removing Water Stains / Lime Deposits (Secret Weapon)

    On a side note, that is the same stuff found in milk powder during the China Milk Powder Scandal. :-p

    You can get Melamine Foam at most super markets. I've tried it, but it did not completely remove the tougher water stains and lime deposits.
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    Re: Removing Water Stains / Lime Deposits (Secret Weapon)

    I have used vinegar with quite a bit of success. And think its much safer compared to any chemical based solution. The maximum it might do is reduce the ph by a bit (Its basically dilute acetic acid).

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    Re: Removing Water Stains / Lime Deposits (Secret Weapon)

    any one tried using car wax ?

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    Re: Removing Water Stains / Lime Deposits (Secret Weapon)

    I don't think they're suitable for use in aquariums. Unless you know for sure, the ingredients in the car wax are fish-safe, don't use it.
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    Re: Removing Water Stains / Lime Deposits (Secret Weapon)

    Melamine foam is generally regarded as safe to use in a running tank.

    Many of the marine tank keepers have discovered this type of foam recently also, especially those using acrylic tanks.

    They've been using it for a few months to clean tanks that have calcium deposits and coralline algae growth.

    I picked some up at Daiso last weekend, will report back when I've had a chance to use it.

    If you've never tried scrubbing coralline algae before, it can be incredibly tough to get out, sometimes even scraping hard with an old credit card won't get all of it off.

    They use melamine sponge in these cases, because you cannot use stuff like Ezeclean and vinegar or lemons in a running tank.

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    Re: Removing Water Stains / Lime Deposits (Secret Weapon)

    I remember reading on some melamine foam packaging that it is not suitable for aquarium use. Was wondering why.

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    Re: Removing Water Stains / Lime Deposits (Secret Weapon)

    How does the packaging looks like for the Melamine foam
    Nicholas

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    Re: Removing Water Stains / Lime Deposits (Secret Weapon)

    I recently tried Melamine foam on one of my old tanks, didn't work.
    After that, I tried 'pasting' vinegar soaked kitchen towel, didn't work.

    But I have to qualify my experience by saying that the tank is only half-filled, and the lime deposits have been left dry for a very very long period.
    - eric

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    Re: Removing Water Stains / Lime Deposits (Secret Weapon)

    Quote Originally Posted by bossteck View Post
    I recently tried Melamine foam on one of my old tanks, didn't work.
    After that, I tried 'pasting' vinegar soaked kitchen towel, didn't work.

    But I have to qualify my experience by saying that the tank is only half-filled, and the lime deposits have been left dry for a very very long period.
    If you want to try some Eze-Clean can drop me a PM, If you're in Paya Lebar area, quite close to me, I can give you some to go try on your tank


    Quote Originally Posted by Wackytpt View Post
    How does the packaging looks like for the Melamine foam
    At Daiso in Vivo city there is an entire rack devoted to displaying Melamine foam, in all shapes and sizes, about 30 different packagings.
    But it will state melamine foam on the packs. Also it is bright white and looks like normal sponge in the package.

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    Re: Removing Water Stains / Lime Deposits (Secret Weapon)

    That's a kind offer, but I think I would need a bottle of my own given my tank's condition.

    Cheers mate!
    - eric

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    Re: Removing Water Stains / Lime Deposits (Secret Weapon)

    Melamine foam are best used for acrylic tank.
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    Re: Removing Water Stains / Lime Deposits (Secret Weapon)

    any side effects of using melamine foam?

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