How to Clean Hard Water Scale Buildup on a Fish Tank

When the glass of a fish tank develops a hard water buildup, it is important to remove it before it becomes too thick. The hard water deposits won't harm fish, but it makes it difficult to see inside the tank.
This buildup is calcium and minerals that are present in hard water. When you fill a fish tank with hard water, deposits will form on the glass of the tank over time.
Here are guidelines for removing the hard water buildup without harming your fish.

Things You'll Need

  • Scrub brush Abrasive cloth Vinegar Lemon juice Bucket Water
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Instructions

    • 1

      Remove the hard water buildup as a part of your weekly fish tank maintenance for best results. This will prevent the mineral deposits from becoming too thick over time.

    • 2

      Use only natural cleaning compounds. Never use a cleaning agent that is not designed to remove hard water buildup on a fish tank. The chemicals that these compounds contain could harm or kill your fish.

    • 3

      Use plain white vinegar or lemon juice to clean the glass. When you have the tank empty during a normal cleaning process, saturate an abrasive cloth with either vinegar or lemon juice and scrub at the sides of the tank. Alternatively, you could place a small amount of vinegar or lemon juice in a container and scrub the glass of the tank with a scrub brush. Rinse the glass well with plain water.
      Do this each week to prevent hard water buildup from occurring.

    • 4

      Soak any fish tank parts in a bucket full of white vinegar or lemon juice. Allow to sit for up to 30 minutes and rinse.