clean buildup on aquarium equipment

**reybie** · 02-15-2007, 04:33 PM

What do you guys use to clean aquarium hoods, hoses, and tools that have white (residue) buildup on it? I'd like to clean the hood and the powerheads that came with the used tank I got. Regular hot water and scrubbing helps but there are traces left.

**Chrona** · 02-15-2007, 04:36 PM

Do you have well water? Most likely, it's calcium deposits. Vinegar should do the trick.

**reybie** · 02-15-2007, 04:48 PM

Not sure what the original owner had. It does look like calcium deposits, I will try vinegar on it tonight. Is it ok to soak the powerheads in it too and just rinse them off really good?

**Chrona** · 02-15-2007, 04:53 PM

Originally Posted by reybie

Not sure what the original owner had. It does look like calcium deposits, I will try vinegar on it tonight. Is it ok to soak the powerheads in it too and just rinse them off really good?

Not sure, although I don't think it will hurt them as long as it's just a quick dip and rinse

**cocoa_pleco** · 02-15-2007, 08:38 PM

i just use regular water and scrub scrub scrub

**Gelo_USA** · 02-16-2007, 04:00 AM

mine has all those white marks too and i tried vinager it didnt help much....
I tried hot water too and didnt work...
I gave up lol

**kimmers318** · 02-16-2007, 12:39 PM

We used CLR to remove the deposits on the used tanks we purchased and of course elbow grease. Just make sure you rinse very well, and then for extra measure rinse again, but if CLR can be safely used in my coffee pot I feel it is safe to use on my aquarium equipment.

**reybie** · 02-16-2007, 01:44 PM

Googling CLR right now :)

**Lady Hobbs** · 02-16-2007, 01:46 PM

I also used vinegar with no results. What does work for me is putting the parts in the tub, adding a small (like couple drops) of LimeAway or Snobowel on a sponge and wiping the equipment off and rinsing the heck out of it.
I turn the shower on and rinse very well.

On the inside of the tank, I just use a scrapper to do the water line.

**reybie** · 02-16-2007, 01:53 PM

CLR sounds scary. On another note, do you clean the hoses or if they get dirty inside you just get new ones? The eheim hoses have some dirt stuff inside and running some hot water through it didn't get all of it. I dont have a brush long enough to stick in there.