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Post by mygerbilprince on Sept 5, 2021 10:43:38 GMT -8
I got a 20 gallon tank second-hand and I have some questions on cleaning it.
1. In the silicone there are small pieces of debris from the fish tank. They are REALLY stuck in there. I don't think the gerbils could eat them or anything. Is this safe if not how should I clean it?
2. There seem to be these stains so I will wipe them off with my water/vinegar spray but then they come back in the same exact spot. Should I be worried?
Edit: If the silicone is unsafe I could buy aquarium silicone and go over it, just to be safe.
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Post by yeti218 on Sept 5, 2021 11:08:39 GMT -8
I use old fish tanks. I've never noticed any debris in the silicone of my old tanks. I'm not sure what that would be. I probably wouldn't be too worried about it, but I cant say for sure whether or not its hazardous.
The stains you're describing are likely calcium buildup. My tanks have these stains too, they are really hard to get off, but not that noticeable if you actually have water in the tank. It's not dangerous for your gerbils.
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Post by mygerbilprince on Sept 5, 2021 12:03:59 GMT -8
Thanks! I think it's like gravel or food/waste in the silicone.
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Post by Scott on Sept 8, 2021 9:34:51 GMT -8
Have you tried soaking the stains? If they're mineral deposits, you might need full strength vinegar and let it soak for a half hour or so.
If you are going to re-silicone the tank, I'd remove the old stuff first with a razor scraper; new aquarium silicone sticks poorly to old (plus, if it's built up too much it might be a chew temptation). Only do one strip at a time--silicone holds the tank together as well as waterproofs it. Along those lines, don't remove the silicone from between the panes (i.e., don't slip the razor between where the two meet). Look at how the panes connect and cut the silicone parallel to the shorter pane. That is, assuming hypothetically the bottom pane extends past the side, scrape along parallel to the side so that you don't cut through the silicone between the top and side so that it remains in place when you pull out the part outside it.
Clean the surface with alcohol after, and don't touch it with your fingers (the oils can interfere with adhesion) and let the new silicone cure before doing another part. Doing one strip at a time isn't strictly necessary, but at the least do the bottom only and let it cure before doing the sides, and make sure that the tank doesn't move/shift before the new silicone cures.
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Post by mygerbilprince on Sept 14, 2021 18:37:25 GMT -8
Thanks. That's good to know if I ever re-silicone in the future.
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