Advice for cleaning a large tank

[FireUnderwater]

So I picked up a RSR Peninsula 650, and this thing is an absolute monster to move. The tank is already pretty clean, however there is still some sand, general debris, old coralline and the like in the tank, on the edges, overflows etc. What’s a good recommended way to clean it?

In the past, I used to just take the tanks, flip them on their side, and go to town with a razor and spray out with a water hose. However with the size of this tank, that’s really not feasible. (Not to mention since it’s a rimless tank, sides really aren’t meant to support the 400lb weight of the tank). So, any recommendation? Tank is currently sitting in my carport, and I do at least have the water hose close by.

 

[tbrown]

Vinegar or citric acid work really well for removing scale. Spray the liquid on and let it soak for a little bit and then use a little bit of elbow grease.

 

[FireUnderwater]

Vinegar or citric acid work really well for removing scale. Spray the liquid on and let it soak for a little bit and then use a little bit of elbow grease.

Any recommendations for rinsing it back out? I think that’s my biggest concern is getting the liquid back out of the tank since even the smallest pump I have would leave a few gallons of water left in the very bottom

 

[tbrown]

Dilution. Rinse, drain, repeat.

Vinegar isn't harmful to your tank - people dose it willingly and purposely as a form of carbon dosing so if you go with vinegar you've got nothing to worry about.

Citric acid is what we typically use to clean/descale our pumps and equipment but not in the tank. You'll want to rinse good if you use it.

 

[FireUnderwater]

Dilution. Rinse, drain, repeat.

Vinegar isn't harmful to your tank - people dose it willingly and purposely as a form of carbon dosing so if you go with vinegar you've got nothing to worry about.

Citric acid is what we typically use to clean/descale our pumps and equipment but not in the tank. You'll want to rinse good if you use it.

Sounds like vinegar it is then! Thank you

 

[bluemon]

Sounds like vinegar it is then! Thank you

I would get the concentrated 30% ones from Home Depot.

That’s what I use for dosing as well.

 

[UncommonSense]

Sounds like vinegar it is then! Thank you

You can get a siphon going through very small tubing, like RO line, to suck all but the last 1/8” or so of fluid out of the tank, too!

It takes a while; I usually place this tube so it’s secure, sucking from a corner, right against the bottom pane… just come back after a break to very little fluid left in the tank!

 

[mcarroll]

I think that’s my biggest concern is getting the liquid back out of the tank

Um...shop vac for the win?

 

[Bruttall]

First off, I am pretty sure you can lay that tank on it's side to clean it, BUT it's a RED SEA, they are known to have front seam separation issues.
Hit the search button up by your name and type in, Red Sea Fail, see how many pages of results you get. Then start your research, IF you got a G1, and I am pretty sure the 650 was one of the ones that failed A LOT, then maybe you need to find someone that knows how to RE-SEAL the front panel on a Tank. Red Sea used really ****** silicone and they didn't support the front panel correctly, PLUS they use tempered glass that just wasn't thick enough to prevent the "Flex" that eventually separates the silicone seam.
The G2 are not any better, that's where RS admitted they had a **** product, without really admitting it.

My 2 cents.

 

[UncommonSense]

PLUS they use tempered glass that just wasn't thick enough to prevent the "Flex" that eventually separates the silicone seam.

Just to clarify, as someone whom has done a lot of digging on this topic; Reefers are not tempered… that’s why I cannibalize failed ones for glass!

front seam separation issues.

It’s actually all eight seams; front, rear, and side panes… you just hear about the fronts way more because people can actually see those before they fail completely!