FishProfiles.com Message Forums

My friend has a fish tank that her MIL cleaned with CLR. Is there anything she can do so that she can have fish in the tank again?

"If you're afraid you'll make a mistake, you won't make anything."
-Family Circus

I would try warm water and mild dish soap with a sponge. CLR is bad stuff for a tank. I don't know if it would be safe after cleaning, just a suggestion.

Do NOT ever use soap in a tank . Never use any type of chemicals in tanks.

CLR I wouldnt use intentionally, however it is used in coffee filters intended for human use. You could try rinsing plenty of times, but I wouldnt risk it unless the tank is desperatly needed, and you feel brave.
The only things that should be used for cleaning a tank is plain water, a clean scrubbing brush or pad (according to tank material), aquarium salt, or baking soda. Be sure to rinse well when using salt and especially the baking soda if you're using the tank for lower PH fish.

^_^

Rinse the tank well. Scrub it with a damp salt pumice to make yourself feel better but only if the tank is glass. My only concern would be the joints in the tank but you should scrub those with an old toothbrush and salt to be sure that no residue remains in the cement.

I use CLR to clean lime deposits from my glass tops for the aquarium. I make sure that I rinse and dry the glass well before putting them back in place.



__________
"To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research."
researched from Steven Wright

Thanks guys!

Bob,What exactly is CLR and how does it work?


I want to be sure of this before I let her know. She should be able to rinse it with salt water, scrub the corners well and rinse some more then she should be able to set it up?

"If you're afraid you'll make a mistake, you won't make anything."
-Family Circus

CLR is a product made by Jelmar with two acids as its primary ingredients to cut calcium and lime buildup. The acids are Glycolic Acid and Sulfamic Acid.

EFFECTS OF OVEREXPOSURE:
Eyes: Can cause eye corrosion with ulceration
Skin: May cause irritation with discomfort or rash, prolonged skin contact may cause ulceration
Inhalation: Excessive inhalation may cause irritation of the respiratory passages
Ingestion: May cause irritation of the gastrointestinal tract with abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea and corrosion of the mucous membranes.

Acids when mixed with alkalines become base or neutral or harmless. My only concern would be that the aquarium was not thoroughly flushed with water when your aunt cleaned it. I would dampen the interior, place salt in a bowl, dip a damp toothbrush in the salt and use it to scrub the edges where the silicon and glass meet. I would then use water and a damp, clean rag to wipe down the interior glass. I would then flush the aquarium with tap water a couple of times.



__________
"To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research."
researched from Steven Wright

The tank has been sitting dry for a long time, at least a year, should she give it a dilute bleach rinse, then a dechlor rinse before the salt rinse and final rinsing with tap water? Then we would know the acids were neutralized and the tank would be ready to go.

"If you're afraid you'll make a mistake, you won't make anything."
-Family Circus

You can use a diluted (1:10) solution of bleach, but it's entirely unneccesary, and if done improperly, deadly. I'd stick with the above suggestions.

Also, you may want to set the tank up on a flat, level surface that you put newspapers on where you don't mind getting things wet, fill it up and let it sit for a few days. Notice if the newspapers are getting wet, indicating a leak. This is due to the tank seals sitting dry for a year, they may have been compromised.

Thanks Fall-Out I'll be sure to let her know!



"If you're afraid you'll make a mistake, you won't make anything."
-Family Circus