Cerium Oxide

[Zen Reef]

Hi folks, I'm looking for some cerium oxide to repolish my tank. It has some wicked hard water/oxidation stains and I've tried just about everything else to clear it up. At wits end here and my tank is broken down and piled in my living room awaiting a solution.

[jroescher]

Not sure what kind of tank you have, but if it's that bad you may want to consider replacing it. That looks like some nasty stuff to be using in a reef tank.

http://www.epa.gov/iris/toxreviews/1018tr.pdf

[Big_Pun]

have you tried muriatic acid..... I've used it with good success on pumps and even to clean a skimmer.

http://www.reefaddicts.com/content.php/119-How-to-Clean-your-Skimmer-with-style

[SoLiD]

If it's build up then a razor blade should scrape\shave it off. If it doesn't come off then it might be something else.

[Zen Reef]

Thanks for the info folks! I have tried muriatic acid to no avail. I think its beyond a hard water stain and more towards some sort of oxidation. The tank is a 175 bowfront that I picked up used. I've invested a lot of time in building the stand and 55 gallon sump for it before i realized that those aren't your everyday water stains. I'm just trying to exhaust my options before I give up on the tank. Cerium oxide in that form isn't anymore toxic then any other particulate natural material (ie: silicate dust from sand) Of course care must be exercised to avoid inhaling the dust but there shouldn't be any residual effects on the tank since it employs a natural abrasive characteristic to work rather then a chemical one. They use the stuff to remove fine scratches on windshields and to polish glass. I figure since I can't seem to remove the oxidation itself from other means, I'll try this to polish it out. I found some on Amazon and will post the results. I'm also waiting to have my paypal account re-activated(from inactivity) so I can sign up as a charter member. Wish me luck and thanks again for the input!

[profntbtr]

you could also try one of the local jewelery suppliers, as it is used in lapidary and polishing jewelry. It is usually sold in bars with some other ingredients added as jeweler's rouge, although you can probably find the powder form as well.