Used 55 what next??

[Sam]

I just got a 55 gal tank used. I took it home and started cleaning it out.
Holy $h!t. what a mess. there is hard water deposits all around the top.
OK. A little elbow grease and I should have it whipped, right? Nope.

1) First question. what is safe to use to get that stuff off.

so then I am checking it out and I find that the silicon is seperating from
the corners.
:-( I know how to fix all that but I need to get the hard water deposits
off first.

2) second question. Is there anything extra that you need to do when using
silicon on glass? and is there an easier way to do it? and how long does
it need to dry? it is just like calking around the tube, right?

I am then tanking a look at the filter system that he sold me with this
mess. it is a UG filter with two power heads. after cleaning out the tank
I am not too sure that I want to go that way again.

3) third question. should I stick with the UG filter or should I get a
differnt filter? what is going to be best for the fish? is there that big
of a differnce? and if so what is the best bang for the buck?

thanks to all who take the time to read this, and a special thanks to those
who help a poor sucker out.

sam

[Charles]

On Sun, 4 Apr 2004 22:54:42 -0700, "Sam" > wrote:

>I just got a 55 gal tank used. I took it home and started cleaning it out.
>Holy $h!t. what a mess. there is hard water deposits all around the top.
>OK. A little elbow grease and I should have it whipped, right? Nope.
>
>1) First question. what is safe to use to get that stuff off.
>
>so then I am checking it out and I find that the silicon is seperating from
>the corners.
>:-( I know how to fix all that but I need to get the hard water deposits
>off first.
>
>2) second question. Is there anything extra that you need to do when using
>silicon on glass? and is there an easier way to do it? and how long does
>it need to dry? it is just like calking around the tube, right?
>
>I am then tanking a look at the filter system that he sold me with this
>mess. it is a UG filter with two power heads. after cleaning out the tank
>I am not too sure that I want to go that way again.
>
>3) third question. should I stick with the UG filter or should I get a
>differnt filter? what is going to be best for the fish? is there that big
>of a differnce? and if so what is the best bang for the buck?
>
>thanks to all who take the time to read this, and a special thanks to those
>who help a poor sucker out.
>
>sam
>


I'd start with vinegar and a razor blade. Netmax had some suggestions
in alt.aquaria this evening, subject was minerals.

I've resealed some smaller tanks, I disassembled them and cleaned the
glass. If yours isn't too bad, just caulk it with the silicone
cement.

It should be cured in a day, give it two to make sure.

I like the RUGF filters. don't know what you plan to put in the tank,
whether that would make a difference.


--

- Charles
-
-does not play well with others

[Happy'Cam'per]

As per Franks wonderful recommendation in another group.....use Coca Cola,
its an incredible oxidiser, spray some on and let it soak for a while b4
wiping off.
--
**So long, and thanks for all the fish!**


"Charles" > wrote in message
...
> On Sun, 4 Apr 2004 22:54:42 -0700, "Sam" > wrote:
>
> >I just got a 55 gal tank used. I took it home and started cleaning it
out.
> >Holy $h!t. what a mess. there is hard water deposits all around the
top.
> >OK. A little elbow grease and I should have it whipped, right? Nope.
> >
> >1) First question. what is safe to use to get that stuff off.
> >
> >so then I am checking it out and I find that the silicon is seperating
from
> >the corners.
> >:-( I know how to fix all that but I need to get the hard water deposits
> >off first.
> >
> >2) second question. Is there anything extra that you need to do when
using
> >silicon on glass? and is there an easier way to do it? and how long
does
> >it need to dry? it is just like calking around the tube, right?
> >
> >I am then tanking a look at the filter system that he sold me with this
> >mess. it is a UG filter with two power heads. after cleaning out the
tank
> >I am not too sure that I want to go that way again.
> >
> >3) third question. should I stick with the UG filter or should I get a
> >differnt filter? what is going to be best for the fish? is there that
big
> >of a differnce? and if so what is the best bang for the buck?
> >
> >thanks to all who take the time to read this, and a special thanks to
those
> >who help a poor sucker out.
> >
> >sam
> >
>
>
> I'd start with vinegar and a razor blade. Netmax had some suggestions
> in alt.aquaria this evening, subject was minerals.
>
> I've resealed some smaller tanks, I disassembled them and cleaned the
> glass. If yours isn't too bad, just caulk it with the silicone
> cement.
>
> It should be cured in a day, give it two to make sure.
>
> I like the RUGF filters. don't know what you plan to put in the tank,
> whether that would make a difference.
>
>
> --
>
> - Charles
> -
> -does not play well with others

[Chris Oinonen Ehren]

Actually, if the hard water crust isn't coming off, and it is inside at the
waterline, you may want to consider keeping your water level high enough
that the waterline is behind the top lip of the frame. That way you don't
have to look at the hard water crust. Honestly, I don't think that crust
will hurt anything, and once it is underwater I generally can't see it.

Chris


in article , Happy'Cam'per at wrote
on 4/5/04 4:51 AM:

> As per Franks wonderful recommendation in another group.....use Coca Cola,
> its an incredible oxidiser, spray some on and let it soak for a while b4
> wiping off.
> --
> **So long, and thanks for all the fish!**
>
>
> "Charles" > wrote in message
> ...
>> On Sun, 4 Apr 2004 22:54:42 -0700, "Sam" > wrote:
>>
>>> I just got a 55 gal tank used. I took it home and started cleaning it
> out.
>>> Holy $h!t. what a mess. there is hard water deposits all around the
> top.
>>> OK. A little elbow grease and I should have it whipped, right? Nope.
>>>
>>> 1) First question. what is safe to use to get that stuff off.
>>>
>>> so then I am checking it out and I find that the silicon is seperating
> from
>>> the corners.
>>> :-( I know how to fix all that but I need to get the hard water deposits
>>> off first.
>>>
>>> 2) second question. Is there anything extra that you need to do when
> using
>>> silicon on glass? and is there an easier way to do it? and how long
> does
>>> it need to dry? it is just like calking around the tube, right?
>>>
>>> I am then tanking a look at the filter system that he sold me with this
>>> mess. it is a UG filter with two power heads. after cleaning out the
> tank
>>> I am not too sure that I want to go that way again.
>>>
>>> 3) third question. should I stick with the UG filter or should I get a
>>> differnt filter? what is going to be best for the fish? is there that
> big
>>> of a differnce? and if so what is the best bang for the buck?
>>>
>>> thanks to all who take the time to read this, and a special thanks to
> those
>>> who help a poor sucker out.
>>>
>>> sam
>>>
>>
>>
>> I'd start with vinegar and a razor blade. Netmax had some suggestions
>> in alt.aquaria this evening, subject was minerals.
>>
>> I've resealed some smaller tanks, I disassembled them and cleaned the
>> glass. If yours isn't too bad, just caulk it with the silicone
>> cement.
>>
>> It should be cured in a day, give it two to make sure.
>>
>> I like the RUGF filters. don't know what you plan to put in the tank,
>> whether that would make a difference.
>>
>>
>> --
>>
>> - Charles
>> -
>> -does not play well with others
>
>

[T]

Don't empty my tanks.. Or your going to see the stains from the hard water
deposits.. I use white viniger to remove the deposits.. Environmentally
freindly cleaner, just rinse the tank very well to remove the excessive
vinger.. C Cola probably works wonders too... Which is why I don't drink the
stuff very much anymore...

Tim...


"Chris Oinonen Ehren" > wrote in message
...
> Actually, if the hard water crust isn't coming off, and it is inside at
the
> waterline, you may want to consider keeping your water level high enough
> that the waterline is behind the top lip of the frame. That way you
don't
> have to look at the hard water crust. Honestly, I don't think that crust
> will hurt anything, and once it is underwater I generally can't see it.
>
> Chris
>
>
> in article , Happy'Cam'per at wrote
> on 4/5/04 4:51 AM:
>
> > As per Franks wonderful recommendation in another group.....use Coca
Cola,
> > its an incredible oxidiser, spray some on and let it soak for a while b4
> > wiping off.
> > --
> > **So long, and thanks for all the fish!**
> >
> >
> > "Charles" > wrote in message
> > ...
> >> On Sun, 4 Apr 2004 22:54:42 -0700, "Sam" > wrote:
> >>
> >>> I just got a 55 gal tank used. I took it home and started cleaning it
> > out.
> >>> Holy $h!t. what a mess. there is hard water deposits all around the
> > top.
> >>> OK. A little elbow grease and I should have it whipped, right? Nope.
> >>>
> >>> 1) First question. what is safe to use to get that stuff off.
> >>>
> >>> so then I am checking it out and I find that the silicon is seperating
> > from
> >>> the corners.
> >>> :-( I know how to fix all that but I need to get the hard water
deposits
> >>> off first.
> >>>
> >>> 2) second question. Is there anything extra that you need to do when
> > using
> >>> silicon on glass? and is there an easier way to do it? and how long
> > does
> >>> it need to dry? it is just like calking around the tube, right?
> >>>
> >>> I am then tanking a look at the filter system that he sold me with
this
> >>> mess. it is a UG filter with two power heads. after cleaning out the
> > tank
> >>> I am not too sure that I want to go that way again.
> >>>
> >>> 3) third question. should I stick with the UG filter or should I get
a
> >>> differnt filter? what is going to be best for the fish? is there
that
> > big
> >>> of a differnce? and if so what is the best bang for the buck?
> >>>
> >>> thanks to all who take the time to read this, and a special thanks to
> > those
> >>> who help a poor sucker out.
> >>>
> >>> sam
> >>>
> >>
> >>
> >> I'd start with vinegar and a razor blade. Netmax had some suggestions
> >> in alt.aquaria this evening, subject was minerals.
> >>
> >> I've resealed some smaller tanks, I disassembled them and cleaned the
> >> glass. If yours isn't too bad, just caulk it with the silicone
> >> cement.
> >>
> >> It should be cured in a day, give it two to make sure.
> >>
> >> I like the RUGF filters. don't know what you plan to put in the tank,
> >> whether that would make a difference.
> >>
> >>
> >> --
> >>
> >> - Charles
> >> -
> >> -does not play well with others
> >
> >
>

[NetMax]

"Sam" > wrote in message
...
> I just got a 55 gal tank used. I took it home and started cleaning it
out.
> Holy $h!t. what a mess. there is hard water deposits all around the
top.
> OK. A little elbow grease and I should have it whipped, right? Nope.
>
> 1) First question. what is safe to use to get that stuff off.
>
> so then I am checking it out and I find that the silicon is seperating
from
> the corners.
> :-( I know how to fix all that but I need to get the hard water
deposits
> off first.

Already answered on hard water stains. I'd be more worried about the
silicone. There is a very important bead in between the panes of glass.
Look for damage there. The bead on the inside can be replaced fairly
easily. Just remember that fresh silicone will not adhere to old
silicone.

> 2) second question. Is there anything extra that you need to do when
using
> silicon on glass? and is there an easier way to do it? and how long
does
> it need to dry? it is just like calking around the tube, right?

Surface has to be clean and dry. I'm not sure what they use in aquarium
factories to prepare the glass. Windex?

> I am then tanking a look at the filter system that he sold me with this
> mess. it is a UG filter with two power heads. after cleaning out the
tank
> I am not too sure that I want to go that way again.

Depends on many factors, like your budget, the type & size of the fish
you are keeping, & natural plants. Every filter has strengths and
weeknesses in various areas. UGF's filtration is : biological = very
good, mechanical = poor, and chemical = non-existant. This makes them
good secondary filters (with the main mechanical/chemical load being done
by a canister or powerfilter) or you should not try to use them as a
primary filter with heavy fish-loads (lots of fish which eat a lot), and
gravel vacuuming will be important. The powerheads themselves are fairly
robust and are probably working fine, and there isn't anything in a UGF
plate to fail, except plastic fittings to connect things together. If
the powerheads are flow-reversable, you can run an RUGF (reverse-UGF) by
adding some sponge filter intakes (or disconnect the plates from each
other, and connect the output of one UGF powerhead to the input of the
other RUGF powerhead).

> 3) third question. should I stick with the UG filter or should I get
a
> differnt filter? what is going to be best for the fish? is there that
big
> of a differnce? and if so what is the best bang for the buck?

The biggest bang for the buck is to use your UGF. It's paid for and it
requires no filter media changes, and only regular gravel-vacuuming.
Next best value is to add a powerfilter to the setup. They all work, so
it's just a matter of efficiency (some work a bit better than others),
servicing method & interval between servicing.

Some reading material : http://faq.thekrib.com/filters.html#types and
http://faq.thekrib.com/begin.html

NetMax

> thanks to all who take the time to read this, and a special thanks to
those
> who help a poor sucker out.
>
> sam

[Mudbunny]

"T" > wrote in message . net>...
> Don't empty my tanks.. Or your going to see the stains from the hard water
> deposits.. I use white viniger to remove the deposits.. Environmentally
> freindly cleaner, just rinse the tank very well to remove the excessive
> vinger.. C Cola probably works wonders too... Which is why I don't drink the
> stuff very much anymore...
>
> Tim...

The cleaning ability of Coke is due to the Phosphoric acid in it. It
is also useful for cleaning toilets (just remember to tell your SO).
However, the acid in your stomach is even stronger, so there is no
need to worry about the effect of the acid in the coke on your
stomach.

Marcel

[Flying Squirrel]

"Mudbunny" > wrote in message
m...

> The cleaning ability of Coke is due to the Phosphoric acid in it. It
> is also useful for cleaning toilets (just remember to tell your SO).
> However, the acid in your stomach is even stronger, so there is no
> need to worry about the effect of the acid in the coke on your
> stomach.
>
> Marcel

I think the issue is your dentition, not stomach.