Very dirty tank - will it come clean?

[Jay Duke]

Hey all,

I’m just getting into the hobby and have been looking around for used items to stockpile for a build.

I managed to scoop up a 90g RR DT and a 75g tank being used as a sump off a reefer who was shutting down. For free. Here’s the catch:

This is the 90. The 75 is in similar shape. He said he shut it down about 3 months ago, and that they’re both in good shape just dirty.

He suggested a vinegar bath but I’m not sure if that’s even do it.

Anyone here have any ideas? Should I skip to Barkeepers Friend or something? Will that even work?

 

[Crabs McJones]

With a little TLC this can be a great tank. I do agree with the vinegar bath. You may also need to take a straight edge razor to help remove some of it. But vinegar, razor, and a little elbow grease, you'll have a great tank on your hands

 

[ihavecrabs]

Yup, I second the vinegar bath as well. 1 part vinegar 3 parts water should do it and I wouldn't fill the whole tank unless you are in a rush. I would lay it down on the front side and add enough to cover the inside glass up until the plastic trim, leave it overnight, and then take a razor to it. Then repeat on the other sides. It'll be like new!

 

[andrewkw]

It will come clean with vinegar as everyone else has mentioned. One warning though the condition of the tank may not be perfect underneath. I bought a 180 that was real cheap and covered in coraline (the front) and although I did get it clean the tank was pretty scratched up underneath. A lot of fine scratches probably caused by trying to clean off coraline once in a blue moon. Since this tank is free I still say go for it, but just keep this in mind.

 

[Captain Quint]

Good solid info has been given.

You may want to do a water test before you start all the cleaning.

 

[kles]

Put it outside get you a gallon of muriatic acid find it pool section fill tank almost full with water pour 1/4 gal of acid couple minutes will look like new no waiting or scrubbing you can put all you pumps skimmers heaters in at same time they will come out like new in a couple minutes! Stay down wind when you pour or add stuff can put off fumes and keep off skin use gloves n once soaked just rinse with water

 

[Jason mack]

My advice is as above vinegar... but with RODI Water .....

 

[Jay Duke]

I don’t have RODI yet. Just worried about chlorine/cloramine in the tap water? Doesn’t that evaporate after a couple days?

I will not be truly setting up this tank for months yet...

 

[andrewkw]

Unless you have some crazy crazy hard tap water that is staining all your glasses and dishes there shouldn't be any reason you need to or would even want to use RO/DI for cleaning the tank. I'm really curious to know why you recommend rodi Jason.

 

[Jason mack]

Because its the best way To clean them .. here in Holland all window cleaners use rodi .. its always worked for me ..my wife swears by it for cleaning and she used To have her own window cleaning company ...just too add .. tds here is 273 out the tap ..

 

[Fin]

Could be a diamond in the rough, or it could be junk. The chances of it not being scratched up may be small. Also looks like the silicone is chewed up on at least that one seam. Maybe if it does clean up well, plan on resealing it also. Good luck with the project!

 

[jjesch]

Agree with everyone on here