- Why does a calcareous deposit appear?
- How do I clean the aquarium from lime deposits?
Lovers of fish and owners of domestic aquariums are very familiar with such a problem as the appearance of the so-called "water stone" on the glass. Often an unpleasant plaque of white appears in the upper part of the container when the water level changes. In this article, we will share effective recommendations on how to clean the aquarium from lime scale and keep its attractiveness. And then for you the aquarium cleaning will be easy and fast.
to the contents ↑Why does a calcareous deposit appear?
Lime scale on the glass of the aquarium - a fairly common phenomenon. Almost all amateurs of aquarium business face this problem. Usually this problem occurs due to the following factors:
- absence of living plants in the aquarium;
- excessive use of feed in the process of feeding fish;
- not enough water and unfiltered water;
- use of hard water.
Important! Before deciding how to wash the aquarium from the lime scale, you should find out what it is. There is an unpleasant white layer of salts that settle on the surface of the glass as a result of evaporation of the liquid. Salt impurities are usually contained in hard water. It is this kind of water that enters urban pipelines from rivers and lakes. Rain is considered soft, or meltwater, but it is very rarely suitable for the good life of fish and plants.
to the contents ↑How to clean the aquarium from the lime scale?
There are several ways to get your aquarium back to an attractive appearance. A specific method should be chosen depending on whether you are going to restart the aquarium or clean the glass surface without moving the fish.
Method number 1 - Mechanical cleaning
If you want to clean the aquarium from limescale, without evicting fish and plants from it, then physical methods are best for this purpose. In the store you can buy a special aquarium scraper, which has a fairly stiff bristle.
Important! Do not clean with metal scrapers, as small particles of iron can get into the aquarium water and begin to rust. It is also possible the death of fish as a result of ingestion of metal crumbs. In addition, the metal can leave scratches on the surface of the glass, which will significantly spoil the appearance of the aquarium.
Other tools:
- If the coating on the aquarium glass is fixed firmly enough, then to clean it, you can use the hard side of the kitchen sponge.
- Also in any of the hardware stores you can buy a plastic scraper, which looks very much like a blade.
Important! In hard-to-reach areas, such as corners and narrow areas, you can use a hard toothbrush. Only then do not use it for its intended purpose.
Method number 2 - Special cleaning agents for glasses
This method of cleaning works is suitable if you plan to restart the aquarium, that is, carry out preventive works with transplantation of fish and plants. Pet stores sell special chemicals in order to clean the aquarium from the lime scale at home.
Cleaning wipes Tetratec
This is a special cleaning agent for aquarium walls. Packaging consists of 10 napkins, each of which is impregnated with a special chemical composition. With the help of this tool you can clean the aquarium glass not only from the calcareous plaque, but also from a weak trace of green algae.
Important! After processing the aquarium do not forget to thoroughly wash the substance off the surface of the glass jar, which will protect your fish from the effects of chemicals.
Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Safe and Easy
This is a chemical agent in the form of a spray. This substance is supplied to the market by an American company. The product is suitable for processing both glass and acrylic surfaces.
The spray is applied as follows:
- Apply the compound to the walls of an empty aquarium.
- Leave the substance for a few minutes for a chemical reaction.
- Rinse the chemical with water and a kitchen sponge.
- Rinse the aquarium jar thoroughly under running water.
Important! This drug is non-toxic and produces a fairly simple cleaning of the surface without stains and blemishes.
Method number 3 - Folk methods
If you want to clean the aquarium from limescale without the special financial costs to purchase special chemicals and scrapers, then you can use folk methods.
Important! Remember that you can use these methods of cleaning only for empty aquariums, otherwise - there is a risk of harming the living in the "glass house" fish and plants.
The following are the most effective folk methods for cleaning the walls of the aquarium from lime deposits:
- Acetic acid is an excellent assistant in dissolving and removing lime deposits from glass surfaces. Prepare the solution in the proportion of 1 glass of water for 1 tablespoon of acetic essence. Apply the product conveniently using an atomizer or a clean cloth. After treatment, rinse the aquarium thoroughly with running water.
Important! When working with acetic acid, do not forget about its ability to corrode the skin and use rubber gloves to help protect your hands.
- Ammonium alcohol is also ideal for cleaning the aquarium from limescale. Add the active substance into the water, keeping the ratio 1:10, rinse the surface. After treatment, rinse the aquarium under clean running water.
- Citric acid has excellent cleavage properties. To clean the aquarium walls, prepare a solution of citric acid, which is enough for 200 ml of warm water add 20 g of substance. Thoroughly mix the contents of the container until the product dissolves completely and, pouring the liquid into the sprayer, treat the glass surface. After waiting 15 minutes, clean the aquarium from the lime deposit with a kitchen sponge and rinse the remnants of the product in warm water.
In this article we shared with you recommendations how to quickly and effectively clean the aquarium from an unpleasant lime coating that has a specific white color. Sincerely we hope that now your fish will be able to enjoy cleanliness, and you will be happy to watch them.
