Safe way to remove hard water deposits?

[Wajrhall]

I've got what they call "liquid rock" for water. It leaves that white calcium/lime scale around the water line.

Anyway, my issue is I cleaned a bunch of porous rocks and let them set and they developed the white crust on them and now I can't seem to scrub it off.

Warm soapy water works on filter parts but I have a bad feeling about soaking porous rocks in anything for too long.

My next step is to try the pressure washer at work. If anyone has any other ideas or remedies, I'll be sure to nominate you for Member Of The Month.

 

[twistedfinn967]

Have you tried vinegar? I've used white vinegar with some success...

 

[Wajrhall]

Have you tried vinegar? I've used white vinegar with some success...

Worth testing out on a small rock, Thanks

 

[JakeH]

Vinegar would be my first choice.

 

[mustang93svt]

diluted vinegar and elbow grease, cleaned every tank I've owned with vinegar. Even saltwater tanks with Coraline algae

 

[Wajrhall]

Cool, thanks guys, wasn't sure if I was going to get any good responses.

Thanks again

 

[Citrinellus]

pH down also works like a charm is concentrated doses.

 

[FishCrazie48]

My dad uses vinegar too, seems to work well for him.

 

[Wajrhall]

I tested a rock out last night, just pouring it on and hitting it with a stiff bristled brush. It seemed to clear up slightly. the date on the vinegar was '07. I will try to soak the same rock this weekend in vinegar/water then scrub, and see what happens.

 

[LD50]

If vinigar dosent work to well for you, give some muriatic acid solution a try, it's more potent than vinigar but its still water soluble. So a good rinse/soak/rinse in water will get rid of it and you dont have to worry about it makeing your tank toxic. I used it to clean up coraline algie and calcium deposits on a tank and it worked like a charm.