Cleaning question

snulma1 · 02/28/2020, 03:07 PM

Hey guys, trying to find info for this and I am stuck.
Got a second hand water box aquarium and have been cleaning it.
Noticed on one panel there is a white film that I can’t get off.
I tried water, vinegar, citric acid, Magic eraser, 0000 steel wool, and nothing seems to work.

It’s only on one panel, which is weird. Everything else came clean with vinegar.

I am stuck, does anyone have any other suggestions?

Scrubber_steve · 02/28/2020, 03:56 PM

Try tooth paste with a cloth.

Or car paint cutting compound.

Michael Hoaster · 02/28/2020, 04:46 PM

If you aren't able to get it cleaned, could you designate that panel as the back panel?

snulma1 · 02/28/2020, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scrubber_steve

Try tooth paste with a cloth.

Or car paint cutting compound.

I could try toothpaste.
Not sure I want cutting compound in the tank.

snulma1 · 02/28/2020, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Hoaster

If you aren't able to get it cleaned, could you designate that panel as the back panel?

Unfortunately it’s a frag tank and the designated space for it puts that panel as soon as you walk in the room.
Maybe it’ll clear with water in the tank?

Scrubber_steve · 02/28/2020, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snulma1

I could try toothpaste.
Not sure I want cutting compound in the tank.

The tanks dry isn't it?

snulma1 · 02/29/2020, 05:44 AM

Yes it is

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scrubber_steve

The tanks dry isn't it?

snulma1 · 02/29/2020, 07:31 AM

Toothpaste didn’t work either.

five.five-six · 02/29/2020, 08:20 AM

Barkeepers friend. You’re welcome.

If that doesn’t work, it’s 2000 grit wet dry sand paper and a lot of elbow grease.

snulma1 · 02/29/2020, 08:24 AM

Is that safe and not going to scratch the glass?

Quote:

Originally Posted by five.five-six

Barkeepers friend. You’re welcome.

If that doesn’t work, it’s 2000 grit wet dry sand paper and a lot of elbow grease.

five.five-six · 02/29/2020, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snulma1

Is that safe and not going to scratch the glass?

Yes, BKF is safe but it leaves a lot of chalky residue. You did say glass right?

Apply some BFK paste and work it a bit, if after you clean it off it has helped, soak the whole tank in it for a week. If not, you probably have etching and it’s 2000 grit which works great even on an up and running tank with hard water deposits. I spend an hour or 2 on my eurobrases with 2000 very few months.

snulma1 · 02/29/2020, 08:47 AM

I tried the BKF without improvement.
Wouldn’t it be weird to only have etching on 1 pane of the tank?
I guess I’ll try the 2000 wet sanding.
Do you use your hand for that or powered?

Quote:

Originally Posted by five.five-six

Yes, BKF is safe but it leaves a lot of chalky residue. You did say glass right?

Apply some BFK paste and work it a bit, if after you clean it off it has helped, soak the whole tank in it for a week. If not, you probably have etching and it’s 2000 grit which works great even on an up and running tank with hard water deposits. I spend an hour or 2 on my eurobrases with 2000 very few months.

five.five-six · 02/29/2020, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snulma1

I tried the BKF without improvement.
Wouldn’t it be weird to only have etching on 1 pane of the tank?
I guess I’ll try the 2000 wet sanding.
Do you use your hand for that or powered?

I’d use a sanding block for a big area by hand. I wouldn’t power it.

Perhaps that pane isn’t low E or something or not tempered. I’m not a glass expert.

Vinny Kreyling · 02/29/2020, 09:21 AM

I've seen that before on starfire glass. Etched by electrolysis & beyond repair save replacement. Even hydrochloric acid had no effect.

snulma1 · 02/29/2020, 12:13 PM

It’s weird because when it’s wet the haziness goes away.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vinny Kreyling

I've seen that before on starfire glass. Etched by electrolysis & beyond repair save replacement. Even hydrochloric acid had no effect.

billdogg · 02/29/2020, 02:40 PM

I was going to suggest straight muriatic acid (outside, with gloves, eye protection, and clothes you don't like anymore) Turn the tank so that side is down and pour a small amount on the glass. Leave it set for about 5 minutes and rinse well. It should be bubbling away while you wait. If it's some sort of a deposit on the glass that should take care of it. If the glass is truly etched, you'll either have to learn to live with it (easiest), sand it down (difficult) or disassemble the tank and replace the panel (probably not worth the effort IMO)

That the haze goes away with water leads me to think that it is etched rather than encrusted. I'd learn to live with it or find another tank if it were me.

snulma1 · 02/29/2020, 03:37 PM

while its irritating I'm sure that I can live with it.
Thanks everyone for the help and ideas!

Quote:

Originally Posted by billdogg

I was going to suggest straight muriatic acid (outside, with gloves, eye protection, and clothes you don't like anymore) Turn the tank so that side is down and pour a small amount on the glass. Leave it set for about 5 minutes and rinse well. It should be bubbling away while you wait. If it's some sort of a deposit on the glass that should take care of it. If the glass is truly etched, you'll either have to learn to live with it (easiest), sand it down (difficult) or disassemble the tank and replace the panel (probably not worth the effort IMO)

That the haze goes away with water leads me to think that it is etched rather than encrusted. I'd learn to live with it or find another tank if it were me.

Michael Hoaster · 02/29/2020, 04:48 PM

If the haze goes away with water aren't you good?

snulma1 · 02/29/2020, 07:55 PM

Maybe, but what if it gets worse?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Hoaster

If the haze goes away with water aren't you good?

five.five-six · 02/29/2020, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snulma1

Maybe, but what if it gets worse?

we'll all be dead from coronavirus by then.

snulma1 · 02/29/2020, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by five.five-six

we'll all be dead from coronavirus by then.

mcozad829 · 03/04/2020, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by five.five-six

we'll all be dead from coronavirus by then.

RShort · 03/08/2020, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snulma1

Maybe, but what if it gets worse?

What if it doesn't get worse? YOU WIN!

snulma1 · 03/08/2020, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RShort

What if it doesn't get worse? YOU WIN!

That’s the dream!

Vinny Kreyling · 03/08/2020, 02:29 PM

We can only try ----

02/28/2020, 03:07 PM	#1
snulma1 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: New York, NY Posts: 2,281	Cleaning question Hey guys, trying to find info for this and I am stuck. Got a second hand water box aquarium and have been cleaning it. Noticed on one panel there is a white film that I can’t get off. I tried water, vinegar, citric acid, Magic eraser, 0000 steel wool, and nothing seems to work. It’s only on one panel, which is weird. Everything else came clean with vinegar. I am stuck, does anyone have any other suggestions?

02/28/2020, 03:56 PM	#2
Scrubber_steve I'm really very likeable Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Down Under Posts: 676	Try tooth paste with a cloth. Or car paint cutting compound. __________________ Create a Concept & Reality Leaves the Room. Current Tank Info: Algae scrubbed.

02/28/2020, 04:46 PM	#3
Michael Hoaster Registered Seaweedist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 5,807	If you aren't able to get it cleaned, could you designate that panel as the back panel? __________________ As many naturalists and environmentalists have suggested, we should set aside our arrogance, our desire to conquer and control everything, and walk hand in hand with Mother Nature. -Walter Adey Current Tank Info: 180g Seagrass Sandbar Lagoon, START DATE November 28, 2018

02/29/2020, 08:20 AM	#9
five.five-six Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Corona Posts: 7,827 Blog Entries: 6	Barkeepers friend. You’re welcome. If that doesn’t work, it’s 2000 grit wet dry sand paper and a lot of elbow grease. __________________ Originally posted by yellowslayer13: "I hate that hole" Current Tank Info: SCMAS Member 225 peninsula euroreef RS180 Apex 400W X 3 20k radiums / Spectra mixed SPS

02/29/2020, 09:21 AM	#14
Vinny Kreyling Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Miller Place, NY Posts: 7,206	I've seen that before on starfire glass. Etched by electrolysis & beyond repair save replacement. Even hydrochloric acid had no effect. __________________ 250 gallon mixed reef, 2 Reefbreeder's Photon V 2, Deepwater BLDC 12, DAS EX-3 Skimmer, MTC mini cal, 2-3/4" Sea Swirls, Aquacontroller & 6 Tunze pumps.

02/29/2020, 07:31 AM	#8
snulma1 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: New York, NY Posts: 2,281	Toothpaste didn’t work either.

02/29/2020, 02:40 PM	#16
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	I was going to suggest straight muriatic acid (outside, with gloves, eye protection, and clothes you don't like anymore) Turn the tank so that side is down and pour a small amount on the glass. Leave it set for about 5 minutes and rinse well. It should be bubbling away while you wait. If it's some sort of a deposit on the glass that should take care of it. If the glass is truly etched, you'll either have to learn to live with it (easiest), sand it down (difficult) or disassemble the tank and replace the panel (probably not worth the effort IMO) That the haze goes away with water leads me to think that it is etched rather than encrusted. I'd learn to live with it or find another tank if it were me. __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

02/29/2020, 04:48 PM	#18
Michael Hoaster Registered Seaweedist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 5,807	If the haze goes away with water aren't you good? __________________ As many naturalists and environmentalists have suggested, we should set aside our arrogance, our desire to conquer and control everything, and walk hand in hand with Mother Nature. -Walter Adey Current Tank Info: 180g Seagrass Sandbar Lagoon, START DATE November 28, 2018

03/08/2020, 02:29 PM	#25
Vinny Kreyling Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Miller Place, NY Posts: 7,206	We can only try ---- __________________ 250 gallon mixed reef, 2 Reefbreeder's Photon V 2, Deepwater BLDC 12, DAS EX-3 Skimmer, MTC mini cal, 2-3/4" Sea Swirls, Aquacontroller & 6 Tunze pumps.