Cleaning textured overflow surface

[James Barton]

Hey everyone, so I've searched the topic but can't find out what I'm looking for. I am trying to clean (and/or cover) the textured portion of my overflow box. I've cleaned the whole tank but can't for the life of me get the coralline algae and buildup off the center textured overflow. I don't plan on letting coralline grow on my back glass so if I can get it clean I'd like to cover the textured portion with something so I can clean it easily and maintain my clean back glass. I've tried vinegar plastic putty knives and magic erasers.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Perhaps lime a way.

 

[James Barton]

Is that reef safe?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Is that reef safe?

I assumed the tank was dry, and you'd be cleaning it.
You can also look at coffee pot cleaners.

 

[James Barton]

I assumed the tank was dry, and you'd be cleaning it.
You can also look at coffee pot cleaners.

Sorry, yes the tank is dry. I was just under the impression that dry or not, you don't use any kind of chemicals inside the tank?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Sorry, yes the tank is dry. I was just under the impression that dry or not, you don't use any kind of chemicals inside the tank?

Under stood. Technicaly, vinegar is also a chemical and an acid. The concern would be residual unknown chemicals. So if you use either food safe or eaily diluted compounds you should be alright.
Muriatic acid would also be a consideration, (live rock cleaner) but I do not know if it would etch the plastic. In either case, id use spot treatment, brush etc.

 

[James Barton]

Under stood. Technicaly, vinegar is also a chemical and an acid. The concern would be residual unknown chemicals. So if you use either food safe or eaily diluted compounds you should be alright.
Muriatic acid would also be a consideration, (live rock cleaner) but I do not know if it would etch the plastic. In either case, id use spot treatment, brush etc.

Gotcha. Yea I've acid washed my dry rock using the muriatic acid method. So I guess I should try the lime away first. If that fails I guess I buy another bottle of muriatic acid lol. Thanks salty you seem to be one who answers most of my questions lol.

 

[James Barton]

Any suggestions on covering it with something after cleaning it? I'd like to keep it easily cleaned.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Any suggestions on covering it with something after cleaning it? I'd like to keep it easily cleaned.

Not seeing it its tough. You could sand it with very fine paper and smooth it. Same theory as wet sanding a car. finer and finer. or use another thin piece of acrylic over the top of it.

 

[James Barton]

Here's a picture of it.

 

[James Barton]

Close-up

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Great tank. What a pain in the but to clean.

@john.m.cole3 @redfishbluefish

 

[James Barton]

Yea it's going on day 3 cleaning it all up lol. And it has definitely been a pain!buy after I get that overflow cleaned illck a little touch up on it all and it should be ready to go!

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

The work is worth it!

 

[James Barton]

The work is worth it!

Oh I can't wait!

On a side note, I cleaned around 400lbs of dry rock (muriatic acid/water) and and about 150lbs of sand (bleach/water) that I got for free. I put it all in a 150g water trough and started the cycle on the 2nd with a frozen shrimp. I also had 1 piece of live rock that was removed from water for a few days that i also threw in there without cleaning. I checked the ammonia today and it's at .25. I then checked the nitrites... 5ppm. So I checked the nitrates.. 10ppm. Is this weird? I had to check it twice and got the same results. There's no way that could have cycled that fast is there?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Oh I can't wait!

On a side note, I cleaned around 400lbs of dry rock (muriatic acid/water) and and about 150lbs of sand (bleach/water) that I got for free. I put it all in a 150g water trough and started the cycle on the 2nd with a frozen shrimp. I also had 1 piece of live rock that was removed from water for a few days that i also threw in there without cleaning. I checked the ammonia today and it's at .25. I then checked the nitrites... 5ppm. So I checked the nitrates.. 10ppm. Is this weird? I had to check it twice and got the same results. There's no way that could have cycled that fast is there?

It just getting going. I usually had stink at 14 days or so.

 

[James Barton]

I didn't think I would see nitrates yet.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

weird. could be the half dead rock.

 

[redfishbluefish]

You can also use muriatic acid to clean off the overflow....with caution. Wear rubber gloves and eye protection and don't get any on you. Muriatic acid is a 5% solution of hydrochloric acid....a very strong acid...and will burn skin and eat through clothing. It will almost immediately "dissolve" the coralline.

Afterwards, simply rinse well with water.

 

[James Barton]

You can also use muriatic acid to clean off the overflow....with caution. Wear rubber gloves and eye protection and don't get any on you. Muriatic acid is a 5% solution of hydrochloric acid....a very strong acid...and will burn skin and eat through clothing. It will almost immediately "dissolve" the coralline.

Afterwards, simply rinse well with water.

I have some acid left over from cleaning my rock so I'll give it a go. Should I dilute it with water in a spray bottle or bucket? Or go with straight MA?