How best to remove coraline???

BlueNWhite · 06-28-2005, 12:44 AM

Well, I picked up the used 180g system over the weekend. My question of the day is: how do I remove the old coraline that is all over the back and sides of the aquarium without scratching the glass? The tank has been dry for a few days now, so saving the coraline is not an option (at least I don't think that it is).

Thanks.

Tarasco · 06-28-2005, 02:07 AM

You got an old credit card? That would probably be the easiest. You could also use a razor blade, but the risk of scratching is worse that way. Sounds like fun, good luck!

Woodstock · 06-28-2005, 07:16 AM

I use a kent pro scraper when cleaning the coralline from the glass. It has a SS blade and works like a charm. It doesn't scratch the glass.

mkpaulson · 06-28-2005, 07:35 AM

you can try getting a gallon of white vinegar laying the tank on its side, and let the vinegar soak on top of the coralline algae for while and then work it with a razor blade or credit card.but the vinegar does help lot, but you need to let it soak a while.

BlueNWhite · 06-28-2005, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkpaulson

you can try getting a gallon of white vinegar laying the tank on its side, and let the vinegar soak on top of the coralline algae for while and then work it with a razor blade or credit card.but the vinegar does help lot, but you need to let it soak a while.

Thanks mkp. About how long would I need to let it soak for? Do I mix it with any water?

Thanks.

mkpaulson · 06-28-2005, 10:24 AM

I wouldn't diluted it all use it full strength, I would suggests letting it sit for at least 12 hours. I had some on the bottom of a tank where I had to let set a couple of days, it really depends on how thick the coralline algae grow. let it set a couple hours try working it off with a razor blade or credit card and if it still to tough to get off let set another day and try it agin.

proud2bcanadian · 06-28-2005, 01:14 PM

Good advice mkpaulson. I'm going to have to try that!

Newt · 06-29-2005, 04:24 AM

MK, you beat me to it. lol. I've used the vinegar method, and it is tried and true. I just had it on the back glass of my old tank mainly, so I let it soak overnight, the next morning took a razor blade to it, and viola!

Good luck, I hope it works for you too.

BlueNWhite · 07-01-2005, 12:53 AM

I have an idea/question below, but first, here is the status of my 180g project.

Well, I just sprayed some pure vinegar onto the back, sides, overflows (inside and outside). I would have tried soaking it on the back glass, which is the worst of them all, but I was unable to do that because I was by myself. Also, the back side of the tank is right next to the garage door, so flipping it over to that side would mean that I wouldn't be able to close the garage door.

So hopefully that bit of spraying will help make the job of scraping easier tomorrow when I get to work. I'll spray it again tomorrow before I start any scraping.

My question/idea that I am considering trying is to use my Scunce steamer. Would this help in removing the baked-on coraline??? I will likely not use the power washer since it may strip the silicone off.

Thanks.

BlueNWhite · 07-02-2005, 12:05 AM

Hello everyone.

Just wanted to thank you all for the tips on removing coraline.

I used a mixed bag of all of your tips. They included: 1) Spraying with pure vinegar the night before; 2) Spraying again the day of; 3) Kent metal scraper; 4) Razor blades; 5) Credit card; 6) Hosing down with the water hose; 7) Green rough sponge for the green algae that was still on the front of the tank; 8) Power washer on the areas away from the silicone, and I think that is about it.

So the 180 is all cleaned and waiting for the next step. But I still have to clean up the 55g sump that still has coraline in it. I removed all of the baffles that were in there (it was not set up the way I will want it). But I will need some tips on that too, but that will be a new thread.

BTW, here is my next thread, asking for your tips on a Closed Loop set up. Please contribute if you can. Thanks.

Need help on Closed Loop ideas for 180???

06-28-2005, 12:44 AM	#1 (permalink)
BlueNWhite Bryozoan Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 42 View Gallery Karma Komment	How best to remove coraline??? Well, I picked up the used 180g system over the weekend. My question of the day is: how do I remove the old coraline that is all over the back and sides of the aquarium without scratching the glass? The tank has been dry for a few days now, so saving the coraline is not an option (at least I don't think that it is). Thanks.

06-28-2005, 02:07 AM	#2 (permalink)
Tarasco Plate Coral Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 724 View Gallery Karma Komment	You got an old credit card? That would probably be the easiest. You could also use a razor blade, but the risk of scratching is worse that way. Sounds like fun, good luck! __________________ Mike "I saw what the governor makes. That's like four hands of blackjack." -- Charles Barkley on why he wasn't seriously considering becoming the Governor of Alabama

06-28-2005, 07:16 AM	#3 (permalink)
Woodstock The Wand Geek was here. ;) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 25,501 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	I use a kent pro scraper when cleaning the coralline from the glass. It has a SS blade and works like a charm. It doesn't scratch the glass. __________________ ~Doni Marie~ *GOT ICH???* *My Victorious Battle with ICH* 120 Reef Chronicle ~ *Breeding Picasso Clownfish~* *Massive 300 gal growout~* *My Anemone & Picasso Tank ~* *Picasso & Snowcasso for sale~* "Energy and persistance conquer all things." Benjamin Franklin __________________________________________________ ______________________________________________

06-28-2005, 07:35 AM	#4 (permalink)
mkpaulson Plate Coral Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: port republic,va Posts: 750 View Gallery Karma Komment	you can try getting a gallon of white vinegar laying the tank on its side, and let the vinegar soak on top of the coralline algae for while and then work it with a razor blade or credit card.but the vinegar does help lot, but you need to let it soak a while. __________________ Mark

06-28-2005, 10:24 AM	#6 (permalink)
mkpaulson Plate Coral Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: port republic,va Posts: 750 View Gallery Karma Komment	I wouldn't diluted it all use it full strength, I would suggests letting it sit for at least 12 hours. I had some on the bottom of a tank where I had to let set a couple of days, it really depends on how thick the coralline algae grow. let it set a couple hours try working it off with a razor blade or credit card and if it still to tough to get off let set another day and try it agin. __________________ Mark

06-28-2005, 01:14 PM	#7 (permalink)
proud2bcanadian Plate Coral Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 709 View Gallery Karma Komment	Good advice mkpaulson. I'm going to have to try that! __________________ David Liles

06-29-2005, 04:24 AM	#8 (permalink)
Newt Torch coral Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 595 View Gallery Karma Komment	MK, you beat me to it. lol. I've used the vinegar method, and it is tried and true. I just had it on the back glass of my old tank mainly, so I let it soak overnight, the next morning took a razor blade to it, and viola! Good luck, I hope it works for you too. __________________ -Jason- Formerly "JKreef"

07-01-2005, 12:53 AM	#9 (permalink)
BlueNWhite Bryozoan Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 42 View Gallery Karma Komment	Steamer??? I have an idea/question below, but first, here is the status of my 180g project. Well, I just sprayed some pure vinegar onto the back, sides, overflows (inside and outside). I would have tried soaking it on the back glass, which is the worst of them all, but I was unable to do that because I was by myself. Also, the back side of the tank is right next to the garage door, so flipping it over to that side would mean that I wouldn't be able to close the garage door. So hopefully that bit of spraying will help make the job of scraping easier tomorrow when I get to work. I'll spray it again tomorrow before I start any scraping. My question/idea that I am considering trying is to use my Scunce steamer. Would this help in removing the baked-on coraline??? I will likely not use the power washer since it may strip the silicone off. Thanks.

07-02-2005, 12:05 AM	#10 (permalink)
BlueNWhite Bryozoan Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 42 View Gallery Karma Komment	Hello everyone. Just wanted to thank you all for the tips on removing coraline. I used a mixed bag of all of your tips. They included: 1) Spraying with pure vinegar the night before; 2) Spraying again the day of; 3) Kent metal scraper; 4) Razor blades; 5) Credit card; 6) Hosing down with the water hose; 7) Green rough sponge for the green algae that was still on the front of the tank; 8) Power washer on the areas away from the silicone, and I think that is about it. So the 180 is all cleaned and waiting for the next step. But I still have to clean up the 55g sump that still has coraline in it. I removed all of the baffles that were in there (it was not set up the way I will want it). But I will need some tips on that too, but that will be a new thread. BTW, here is my next thread, asking for your tips on a Closed Loop set up. Please contribute if you can. Thanks. Need help on Closed Loop ideas for 180???

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