Citric acid for removal of deposits on glass

[Trillaman954]

I heard it’s not good to use vinegar with wave maker so use citric acid instead. How much is the ration of citric acid to water in gallons? I’m ready to start my 92 gallon but have to get glass clear first

 

[Doctorgori]

edit: I thought you were asking how to clean the glass, you also want to know what the ratio of citric acid to water is for cleaning pumps:
I can only tell you what I do and that’s to use almost as much as possible/ practical…
I won’t argue with any chemist but I’ve never made it too strong… not sure there is such a thing
Bump for a different answer

 

[Red_Beard]

barkeeper's friend is hands down the best thing for getting a tank cleaned out and ready for setup. no harmful residue either.

edit:
use the powder... looks like they came out with some other stuff since ive shopped for it.

 

[Trillaman954]

edit: I thought you were asking how to clean the glass, you also want to know what the ratio of citric acid to water is for cleaning pumps:
I can only tell you what I do and that’s to use almost as much as possible/ practical…
I won’t argue with any chemist but I’ve never made it too strong… not sure there is such a thing
Bump for a different answer

Yes I need to clean glass from old deposits. I was just going to use vinegar and water but was told that can damage pumps

 

[Doctorgori]

Yes I need to clean glass from old deposits. I was just going to use vinegar and water but was told that can damage pumps

I’m confused, aren’t you cleaning the glass from the outside? I use a scraper on the (wet) inside and basically anything I want on the outside….
If it’s the waterline, I might get a razor …
If the glass is really spotty (on the outside) I’ll soak a paper towel in vinegar and leave it spread out against the glass

…that vinegar thing with the pumps, it had something to do with osmosis, plastic and magnets…short story: I did stop soaking pumps in vinegar, but not any parts.

Citric acid: I just mix up as strong a solution as my imagination allows, no rhyme no reason…I might waste product but I don’t waste time…
High chance you get slightly different advice

 

[landlubber]

still a little confused.... are you trying to clean "deposits" on the inside of a full tank?

 

[Trillaman954]

I’m confused, aren’t you cleaning the glass from the outside? I use a scraper on the (wet) inside and basically anything I want on the outside….
If it’s the waterline, I might get a razor …
If the glass is really spotty (on the outside) I’ll soak a paper towel in vinegar and leave it spread out against the glass

…that vinegar thing with the pumps, it had something to do with osmosis, plastic and magnets…short story: I did stop soaking pumps in vinegar, but not any parts.

Citric acid: I just mix up as strong a solution as my imagination allows, no rhyme no reason…I might waste product but I don’t waste time…
High chance you get slightly different advice

No sir the inside of the glass has hard cloudy deposits. I just got the tank from somebody else. I was going to fill ups its vinegar water for a couple of days to remove it. Somebody told me not to because it will damage lumps, rather to us citric acid

 

[Trillaman954]

still a little confused.... are you trying to clean "deposits" on the inside of a full tank?

It’s empty tank. Has cloudy hard stuff on glass from previous owner.

 

[landlubber]

It’s empty tank. Has cloudy hard stuff on glass from previous owner.

then there is no worry about your pumps as you're not going to be filling the tank to clean it. that is completely unnecessary.
you can use a small pail and mix in your citric, vinegar and just scrub the problem areas with a rag until it comes off. Its also a good idea to re-clean the entire tank after you're done to remove as much of the citric or vinegar as you can but in reality neither will cause any big issues.
either way, a razor blade would be how i'd fix this but only if you make deliberate movements and stay away from the silicone in the corners and glass junctions.

 

[Red_Beard]

Put it in the yard on its side, get the hose, and scrub the glass panels with a rag and barkeepers friend. Gentle around the silicon seals. It will be cleans as clean in 20 mins.

 

[Doctorgori]

No sir the inside of the glass has hard cloudy deposits. I just got the tank from somebody else. I was going to fill ups its vinegar water for a couple of days to remove it. Somebody told me not to because it will damage lumps, rather to us citric acid

I was going to tell you to put it on its side, until I read this…

Put it in the yard on its side, get the hose, and scrub the glass panels with a rag and barkeepers friend. Gentle around the silicon seals. It will be cleans as clean in 20 mins.

yeah same, if you cat get that stuff, vinegar soaked paper towels laid on the glass work, but in in just 20 min

 

[Trillaman954]

Put it in the yard on its side, get the hose, and scrub the glass panels with a rag and barkeepers friend. Gentle around the silicon seals. It will be cleans as clean in 20 mins.

didnt work i left it on over night too, after the 20 minute runs didnt either

 

[Doctorgori]

sometimes the glass can get permanently “etched” if so nothing will correct it..
If not:
Put it on its side, pour straight vinegar in the tank; enough to cover the glass…and leave it for 4,6 even 12-24 hrs….it shouldn’t hurt the silicone either (AFAIK) …
turn to the next side and repeat…
..if it’s still hazy/spotty then it probably can’t be fixed IMO

 

[Red_Beard]

Got pictures?

 

[Trillaman954]

Got pictures?

yea but i have to empty tank it has water in it from testing plumbing

 

[Trillaman954]

sometimes the glass can get permanently “etched” if so nothing will correct it..
If not:
Put it on its side, pour straight vinegar in the tank; enough to cover the glass…and leave it for 4,6 even 12-24 hrs….it shouldn’t hurt the silicone either (AFAIK) …
turn to the next side and repeat…
..if it’s still hazy/spotty then it probably can’t be fixed IMO

its bow front so i cant do that

 

[Doctorgori]

its bow front so i cant do that

paper towel soak in vinegar then

 

[FUNGI]

Try lemon juice

 

[Reefering1]

Put your favorite coral in the tank and those imperfections will disappear

 

[Trillaman954]

Put your favorite coral in the tank and those imperfections will disappear

Why do you say this