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I just picked up a used 75 gal tank real cheap, there is a lot of white residue leftover from the previous saltwater setup. I scraped most of it off the glass with a razor blade no problem, but on the inside of the overflow chamber its simply unreachable. Will this screw up my water qualities for a freshwater tank? (Discus). The algae is all dead and bleached and ive rinsed the whole tank out with water.. oppinions??

My guess is that it would/could affect the salinity, hardness, and alkaline pH if the is enough amounts of residue, and if it is the salt residue. You should just use a hose with a jet nozzle to remove it. Discus i heard are very sensitive, and like soft, acidic water. That might be a problem with the residue being a salty, hard, alkaline type. Usually i think that is the type of residue on there.

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Thanks gobyfan, I'm kind fo scared of ruining the water tight seal of the (Home made) overflow chamber with a high pressure hose. But i appreciate the insight, anyone else?

Hi,
I'd fill the chamber with some strong,
but diluted, vinegar (an acid) and use a bottle brush
to scrub the chamber out with.
Then rinse throughly.
That should take care of it.

Frank

PS a baby bottle brush should work or use a "hose brush"
a brush used to clean the inside of hoses.


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Salt creep would dissolve pretty much instantly in water with no salt left behind so it won't effect the salinity. If the white is not coming off then it's calcium deposits which could possibly raise the ph a little. Depends how soft your water is but my freshwater leaves it's own hardwater deposits behind so wouldn't do anything. In fact I just moved my saltwater inhabitants to a bigger tank and am reusing the other tank for freshwater. I just sprayed it out, scraped it with a razor blade, wiped it with vinegar, and filled it up with freshwater, ecocomplete, driftwood, and plants the same day. Added my female betta the next day and no problems so far.

Thanks all. Great stuff.