Algae removal...dried

[chunkymonkey]

On the 180 a got a little while back. Previous owner had dried red algae(fuzzy looking) caked on the overflows. Vinegar has been EXTREMELY successful in removing all the coraline and other residue. I've soaked this red stuff which has come off in layers, now leaving a nasty white crust which I can't seem to get the rest off. See like my only option would be a finer grit sand paper to lightly sand off the rest. Any input of other ideas? I'm not comfortable with using muriatic(sp?) acid. I'm going to soak some newspaper in vinegar and lay it on the overflows like a wall paper in hopes of soaking in....otherwise I'm stumped.

[Texreefer]

use a sharp scraper made for acrylic tanks... should do the trick

[Bill S]

I would try the muratic acid. Yes, it's very, very hazardous. Just be VERY careful, and, obviously dilute it well.

Optionally, you could sand with find and finer sandpaper - if you can get to wet sanding with 2000, you might like the results.

[chunkymonkey]

Thanks guys. Yeah, had been using razers. Would the muriatic acid hurt the silicon?

[justahobby]

Probably would hurt the silicone. You aren't supposed to get it on rubber.... Alternatively, you might try hydrogen peroxide.

[chunkymonkey]

Well, I've let soaked vinegar sheets sit on the algae with very little effect. I'm about to head out to Home Depot to try the muriatic acid route....