dirty glass filter inlet/outlet.. cant clean - Aquascaping

apm · 07-01-2009, 09:03 PM

hey guys I bought one of those glass tube inlet/outlet sets for my filter and man are they dirty.. I tried bleaching them for a few days and no cigar. any other ideas how to clean the inside?

davemonkey · 07-01-2009, 09:09 PM

Have you tried a pipe brush? I don't mean the hard-bristled cleaner that you actually clean a pipe with, but the long cylidrical brush with a long flexible wire handle used for cleaning filter hoses and other tubes.

-Dave

mudboots · 07-02-2009, 05:18 AM

I have a similar problem with glass tops on an aquarium. I was given them by a relative and they were caked with lime and algae. I used a steel scrubber to get everything off, but they have a cloudy stain that almost seems to be embedded in the glass. Any ideas?

davemonkey · 07-02-2009, 05:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mudboots

cloudy stain that almost seems to be embedded in the glass. Any ideas?

I'm not certain, but I read somewhere that this is a chemical reaction and it's not reversible once it gets to that point.

Is there a way to avoid using the glass tops altogether? Many planted tanks tend to go 'topless', but you might be hampered on this depending on whether or not your light fixture will rest on the edges or braces of your tank (unless you hang the fixture form a ceiling).

-Dave

mudboots · 07-02-2009, 05:50 AM

If I could find a 72 inche fixture that'd be great, but all I can find available is 36 and 48. Two 36 inchers will work perfectly, but the tank braced are split into thirds, so no support in the middle where the ends of the fixtures will meet, and I don't trust anything balancing over the water. The good news is that the plates are sized to allow a few inches for filter systems in the back. Since I won't use filters hanging on the back, I have removed the plastic hinges connecting the plates (3 sets of 2 pieces were hinged together with plastic stripping) and can put that opening in the middle where the majority of the light will be.

I don't suppose anyone out there has a 72" fixture they want to do away with???

apm · 07-02-2009, 08:09 AM

thanks dave monkey... that sounds like a superb plan of management =p probably can get that at the dollar store. Man is this thing gross... theres left over stuff from my nov scape, which dried out and now being used again =p

I will get it and let u know.

to the glass top guy.. what about clr? that should get rid of lime stains/calcific build up. im just throwing it out there.

apm · 07-02-2009, 08:12 AM

72 is fairly long, and i personally hate the braces. I took it off my 75, and went with halides from fish needs it. Im guessing your tank is 120+? if you want some crazy growth... try fishneedsit.com very cheep fixtures. And you can always sell your current ones....

just throwing it out there ...again.

happy scaping.

mudboots · 07-02-2009, 09:45 AM

Yes, I have a 125 gallon. I just went to their site and they have awesome prices. I'm going with 2 of the 3ft fixtures.

chagovatoloco · 07-02-2009, 11:44 AM

I use excel for cleaning algae it works really well.

keviv · 07-02-2009, 12:28 PM

@mudboots. To take off the lime stain from your glass top, you can try wiping it with vinegar or some mild acid. But make sure you wash it with water after that. It works for me.