Newbie. Problems with my new used tank.

[AR_Clint]

Well, I just got an amazing deal on a 150 gallon tank with the stand for $100. Obviously, for a price like this it's used. I found the original date of manufacture which was 1995, but it seems to be in good shape for a 12 year old tank.

Well, I have a few questions before I start setting everything up.

1. I've noticed a light clowdiness on all the glass. It is very faint and there are speratic clear sploches where the glass looks normal (some look like circles like they were from a suction cup). I tried to clean it off with a razor blade and also alcohol, but to no avail. Does anyone know what this could be and how I could get rid of it? Here are some pics.




2. The lady I bought it from said it held water a while ago. She has used it for quite a few years for her boa so she didn't know for sure. She seemed worried about the heat caused by the long term use of heat lamps and said I might want to put an extra layer of silicon around it just in case . I looked at the current silicone and it looks fine. I don't know if I really have a set question. I think I'm just looking for some insight and advice about this.

Thanks guys,
Clint

[rtstrat01]

fill it up in a garage or out in a yard, let it sit and see if the water leaks, as for the silicon, putting another bead of silicon will not do any good, silcon will not seal to set silicon, if it does leak you would have to seperate the glass pieces remove all the silicon and resilicon them together., but i doubt the heat lamps would effect the silicon, and by using alcohol to clean the galss you need to be sure to get all that out, if any reside is left it will effect the water and the life of ur inhabitants.

[Roger928]

The circles are probably hard water stains. Vinegar may help to remove them. Put water in it and let it stand for a few days to check for leaks. Other than that, go for it.

[Sk8r]

Fill it with ordinary warm tap water and about 3-4 gallons of vinegar and set a maxijet 120 to running in it.
Be sure it is on an absolutely level and supportive surface when you fill it. The warm water will both speed the action of the vinegar and help to flex-up the silicon. Wipe it down thoroughly so you can watch for any leaks.
The vinegar may remove the cloudiness.
If there was a boa in there, there will be ammonia, but the cycle will take care of it.

Vinegar as a solvent does not pose a problem to marine life, just a little ph bump, insignificant, particularly if wiped dry after test...

It's better it was used as a boa tank rather than freshwater, so there's little to zero likelihood that copper was ever used in it.

It's probably going to be fine.

[AR_Clint]

I also just scrubbed it with bleach, CLR and "the Works" bathroom cleaner... Nothing.

[lancelogaglio]

the cloud will probably be invisable when filled

[asm481]

I would not have used the CLR or the Works if I were you. The bleach in moderation is alright. Use a strong solution of vinegar. Stay with the natural cleaners. Does the haze show when it is full of tap water?

[Pmolan]

A vinegar solution should help. I like the Idea of filling it with warm water and a gallon of vinegar with a power head. The acidity of the solution should disolve it, or at least make it easier to scrub off.

[AR_Clint]

Thanks guys for all the replies. I think I'm going to fill the tank and check for leak. While it's full I'll judge whether or not I want to try and buff it or not.

Once again, thanks for the experienced advice.
Clint

[sirjohn]

I second that warning to stay away from those bathroom cleaners and the like when cleaning anything tank-related. They contain a lot of nasty stuff (to reef inhabitants at least!).

Plain old bleach is fine, so long as you make sure to rinse it off completely and dry it, if you can.

[Sk8r]

Just a note on chemistry [from the admitted world's worst chemist]---
the deposits on glass and equipment are calcium carbonate, like the bristles on bristleworms, etc, and much else in the marine world. Vinegar will specifically dissolve calcium carbonate. Your best cleaners for specific problems, however mild to the touch, are those which bring the problem substance into solution so it can be discarded. Try to avoid complex chemicals when dealing with your tank, especially those with perfumes, surfactants [windex, soaps], ammonia, and caustics [lye, etc.]

[rickytikki]

You might want to make sure she never treated the boa for mites in that tank, the pest strips used to do that will kill the crap out of anything you put in that tank.