How Do You Get Rid Of Film On Glass?
- Thread starter metweezer
- Start date
M
markeo99
Guest
acrylic dont know
glass razorblade and vinegar wash
glass razorblade and vinegar wash
nordy
Active Member
First, try a stronger acid solution on the film-something like CLR or Lime Away on a small test area. You may have to soak the test area for 15 minutes or so by applying a sponge soaked in the solution to the glass. Suggest gloves with these items.
When using vinegar, which is a pretty weak acid (5% acetic acid is the usual strength) it can take a while for it to start working on the film, if it is indeed some type of mineral deposit. If using a stronger acid solution does anything at all, the next step might be to soak the entire tank in vinegar-it's relatively cheap, safe, and effective if left for a long enough time in a sealed tank.
If none of the acids work, I would suggest next trying a degreaser, like Simple Green diluted to a medium strength, applied with a plastic scrubber sponge on a small test area. Relatively non-toxic and smells better than vinegar.
Did you get a deal on the tank? How big is it?
Good luck on the cleaning!
When using vinegar, which is a pretty weak acid (5% acetic acid is the usual strength) it can take a while for it to start working on the film, if it is indeed some type of mineral deposit. If using a stronger acid solution does anything at all, the next step might be to soak the entire tank in vinegar-it's relatively cheap, safe, and effective if left for a long enough time in a sealed tank.
If none of the acids work, I would suggest next trying a degreaser, like Simple Green diluted to a medium strength, applied with a plastic scrubber sponge on a small test area. Relatively non-toxic and smells better than vinegar.
Did you get a deal on the tank? How big is it?
Good luck on the cleaning!
metweezer
Active Member
Originally Posted by Nordy
http:///forum/post/2765460
First, try a stronger acid solution on the film-something like CLR or Lime Away on a small test area. You may have to soak the test area for 15 minutes or so by applying a sponge soaked in the solution to the glass. Suggest gloves with these items.
When using vinegar, which is a pretty weak acid (5% acetic acid is the usual strength) it can take a while for it to start working on the film, if it is indeed some type of mineral deposit. If using a stronger acid solution does anything at all, the next step might be to soak the entire tank in vinegar-it's relatively cheap, safe, and effective if left for a long enough time in a sealed tank.
If none of the acids work, I would suggest next trying a degreaser, like Simple Green diluted to a medium strength, applied with a plastic scrubber sponge on a small test area. Relatively non-toxic and smells better than vinegar.
Did you get a deal on the tank? How big is it?
Good luck on the cleaning!
You don't think CLR or Lime Away will harm the tank over the long term? I guess I could lay the tank on its side and pour some vinegar and let it soak. I paid $50 for the tank and stand (wood) which is a great deal but only if I can get rid of the film. A fellow reefer told me that he thinks the film will disappear once the tank is filled with water
http:///forum/post/2765460
First, try a stronger acid solution on the film-something like CLR or Lime Away on a small test area. You may have to soak the test area for 15 minutes or so by applying a sponge soaked in the solution to the glass. Suggest gloves with these items.
When using vinegar, which is a pretty weak acid (5% acetic acid is the usual strength) it can take a while for it to start working on the film, if it is indeed some type of mineral deposit. If using a stronger acid solution does anything at all, the next step might be to soak the entire tank in vinegar-it's relatively cheap, safe, and effective if left for a long enough time in a sealed tank.
If none of the acids work, I would suggest next trying a degreaser, like Simple Green diluted to a medium strength, applied with a plastic scrubber sponge on a small test area. Relatively non-toxic and smells better than vinegar.
Did you get a deal on the tank? How big is it?
Good luck on the cleaning!
You don't think CLR or Lime Away will harm the tank over the long term? I guess I could lay the tank on its side and pour some vinegar and let it soak. I paid $50 for the tank and stand (wood) which is a great deal but only if I can get rid of the film. A fellow reefer told me that he thinks the film will disappear once the tank is filled with water
nordy
Active Member
The CLR or Lime Away won't harm the tank in any way as the glass is inert when it comes to acids-think of your high school chemistry lab-acids are kept in glass bottles all the time without any problem. Plus they can just be rinsed away when you get the tank set up and ready to fill w/water. Of course you could also rinse after cleaning with a solution of baking soda (base) if you do end up using one of those to remove the film, if it is indeed a mineral film. A weaker acid (vinegar) will just take a longer time to do the job and if it works, it's cost and ease of use is a plus.
The film may disappear when the tank is filled, but it may also be a case of you just can't see it anymore with water in the tank.
The film may disappear when the tank is filled, but it may also be a case of you just can't see it anymore with water in the tank.
casper1875
Member
I would not use anything like CLR in my tank. Why would you want to take a chance like that? Use vinegar and water. carefully scrape the glass with a razor blade, but don't cut into the seals.
coraljunky
Active Member
Originally Posted by metweezer
http:///forum/post/2765488
You don't think CLR or Lime Away will harm the tank over the long term? I guess I could lay the tank on its side and pour some vinegar and let it soak. I paid $50 for the tank and stand (wood) which is a great deal but only if I can get rid of the film. A fellow reefer told me that he thinks the film will disappear once the tank is filled with water
I don't think it will disappear when full of water. Then again....I've been wrong before
Try filling it outside with a water hose.
http:///forum/post/2765488
You don't think CLR or Lime Away will harm the tank over the long term? I guess I could lay the tank on its side and pour some vinegar and let it soak. I paid $50 for the tank and stand (wood) which is a great deal but only if I can get rid of the film. A fellow reefer told me that he thinks the film will disappear once the tank is filled with water
I don't think it will disappear when full of water. Then again....I've been wrong before
metweezer
Active Member
Originally Posted by coraljunky
http:///forum/post/2765547
I don't think it will disappear when full of water. Then again....I've been wrong before
Try filling it outside with a water hose.
Justin,
That's what Anthony from TC FRAG told me. It could very well be true. I'd still like to get rid of it though.
http:///forum/post/2765547
I don't think it will disappear when full of water. Then again....I've been wrong before
Justin,
That's what Anthony from TC FRAG told me. It could very well be true. I'd still like to get rid of it though.
metweezer
Active Member
I tried 1 gal of vinegar and filled up the 50 gal tank with water and let it stand for 24 hrs. I then scraped with a razorblade and the film is still there. It is almost invisible though when the tank is filled with water. I don't know whether to try CLR or just leave it. Although it seems to disappear when the tank is filled I don't know how it would look if I added lights. I don't have the fixture yet but I plan on buying a nova extreme pro. The light from inside the tank may make the film reappear
freeweights
Member
I use a used Mr. Clean eraser Make sure you rinse it out real good and that it is brand new out of the box I used that on a pretty bad lookin tank then use vinager with the Mr Clean eraser then rinse the tank several times with hot water then wipe clean
aztec reef
Active Member
try this...
oceanlover
Member
If it is mineral deposits (like the kind you get from hard water) then Lime Away will take it away easily. But I don't know if it is safe for an aquarium or not. (I use it on the toilet and water facets.) You could contact the company to see if it has toxins.
emilaya101
Member
I have used CLR on a few of my tanks, and never had any problems
As a matter of fact, I would recommend it cause I requires less elbow gease and gets the job done quick
jemshores
Member
We tried all of the above, even a 3M glass polish for restoring antique cars (plus electric buffer), to no avail. Finally broke all the glass out, got new cut and redid it ourselves. Even made the tank higher which added about 7 more gallons-total cost about $60. It is a flat back hex and we really wanted that shape; so were willing to go to the extreme. Maybe something to think about? Just re-style it-make it unique, add a few bracesand
a new tank! Just my 2 cents!