How to Remove Salt Scales From a Fish Tank

Saltwater is full of debris; tiny bits of chemicals, namely sodium, suspended in the water. When the water evaporates, it leaves these bits behind and those bits can build in your saltwater fish tank. The salt scale can build on the glass walls of your aquarium and jam up filtration systems. It can increase the salinity of your water, threatening the health of your pets. Remove any salt scale immediately.

Things You'll Need

  • Protective eye wear
  • Acid-resistant protective gloves
  • Flathead screwdriver
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Instructions

    • 1

      Stick an algae scrubber pad to an algae scraper tool. Stick the scraper into the tank and brush the saltwater scale off the side of your tank. Let the scale settle into the water for approximately 10 minutes.

    • 2

      Stick the nozzle of a gravel cleaning siphon into the bottom of the tank. Place the other end of the siphon into a bucket. Pump the siphon's primer pump five to 10 times.

    • 3

      Vacuum the bottom of the fish tank. The gravel at the bottom of the tank will tumble inside the nozzle of the siphon; none of the gravel will be sucked up and you will siphon out the dirtiest water. The saltwater scale will be removed with enough vacuuming.

    • 4

      Remove both ends of the siphon. Hold the bucket end of the siphon over the bucket and let drain. Dump the dirty saltwater.

    • 5

      Fill the tank with saltwater. Restore the tank to its previous level.