Ways to Get the White Stuff Off Aquarium Walls

The great thing about an aquarium is that it lets you bring the beauty of nature into your living room. However, that beauty is often marred by troublesome and persistent white stains that appear on the walls of the aquarium, and on your filters and other equipment as well. Dealing with these stains often requires a multi-pronged approach, including proper tank cleaning and maintenance and adjustments to the water in your home.

  1. Tear the Tank Down

    • Tearing the tank down and giving it a thorough scrubbing is always a last resort, but if you have an aquarium that is heavily encrusted with white stains that may be the best option. Tearing the tank down and cleaning it thoroughly can give you a fresh start, and proper tank maintenance from that point can help you keep the tank looking its best. If your tank is already heavily planted and decorated, tearing it down may not be an attractive option, but if your tank is relatively sparse and you have an extra aquarium to house your fish temporarily, it may be best to scrub everything down and start over.

    Aquarium-Safe Glass Cleaner

    • Glass cleaner can be very effective at removing the white stains caused by hard water and calcium buildup, but you should never use a commercial glass cleaner on, or even near, your tank. The chemicals in commercial glass cleaners can get into the water even if you use that cleaner only on the exterior surface, and those chemicals could kill your fish. Instead, use a glass cleaner designed specifically for use with aquariums. These glass cleaners are made without harsh chemicals, but they can be just as effective at removing those white stains. Just spray the outside of your tank, let the cleaner sit for a minute or two and wipe the stains away with a paper towel or cloth.

    Vinegar

    • You can also use plain vinegar to clean the exterior glass of your tank and remove those troublesome white stains. Simply soak a cloth or paper towel in vinegar, then rub it on the glass to remove the stains. Clean the glass thoroughly using plain water, and wipe the glass carefully to avoid streaking. You can also leave the vinegar soaked rags on the aquarium glass, then remove them and scrub stubborn stains with a nonabrasive cleaning cloth.

    Water Softeners

    • The white deposits you see on aquariums are caused by dissolved minerals in the water. As the water evaporates, those minerals are left behind in the form of ugly white stains. You may be able to alleviate the problem by softening the water you use in the tank, either by purchasing spring water or by putting in a commercial water softener if you get your water from a well. You can also purchase special inserts for your tank that soften the water, and these can reduce the appearance of white stains as well.