Lime in my water

[Persistency]

I live in an area with really hard water, and unfortunately lime builds up on pretty much everything possible. It isn't an issue within my tanks usually, but it builds up on my waterfall globe something awful. I was wondering if anyone had a solution to this problem, maybe using storebought water or something.

 

[Thyra]

How does one differentiate between lime and calcium build up??

 

[exhumed07]

they are pretty much the same thing i belive. and the only thing i can suggest is store bought or home filtered water. the best way i feel to clean it is vinegar.

 

[Persistency]

I figured I'd have to go with store bought, but I'm not sure which kind exactly. Is it just regular drinking water, or something else?

 

[OrangeCones]

I've used CLR to remove hardwater stains on and in an empty aquarium, filters, etc. If used, be sure to rinse, rinse, rinse!

 

[Thyra]

What is CLR? I have see some stuff that supposed removes heavy lime deposits at the grocery store - "Lime-Away" or something like that - but it sounds almost as caustic as Draino and rinsing enough could be a problem.

 

[OrangeCones]

Those that keep reef aquariums have a lot of equipment that gets a build-up quickly due to the salts. Freshwater, if your local water is 'hard' also can develope the same build-up, but at a slower rate. CLR is made by Jelmar, and I've used it for years. I'm not sure if "Lime-Away" is the same type of product or not.

I was introduced to CLR back when I was into marine tanks, and it worked, so I have been using in ever since. Since it worked, I never explored other products. Kinda "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!" mentality, I guess!

 

[Persistency]

I'm looking for a way to prevent it completely. The waterfall splashes everywhere and lime builds up on the outside of the globe. I don't want to have to keep taking the setup apart and cleaning it.

 

[OrangeCones]

The only way to prevent mineral build-up is to eliminate minerals in the water. RO water would accomplish this, but fish still need some of the minerals, so you'd have to add them back in, but in a smaller quantity than removing them. Some can do this with mixing RO water with some tap water. It's not an easy thing to do.

 

[Persistency]

So pretty much, I'm just better off dealing with it.

 

[OrangeCones]

The buildup happens where the water evaporates, leaving behind the minerals. Other than finding a way to prevent splashing...I looked at the 1.8 Gallon Waterfall Globe you list, and it looks like it has a small filter that runs the water back into the center of the globe. Design-wise, looks cute, but I see no way to prevent splashing. My tanks all have internal filters, so nothing 'splashes.' Back when I kept saltwater tanks, I'd wipe (sometimes 2 or 3x a day) the area that the return splashed with a cloth soaked in just plain water. It slowed the build-up down, but did not prevent it.

 

[exhumed07]

thats the think i love and hate about my hob filters. absolutly love the sound of the cascading water especially when i'm going to bed. just so relaxing. but on the flip side the splashing water gets on my lighting for the tanks that have no hood or it gets on the glass on the bottom of the hood. either case it is a pain to clean. but it's one of those cases where u take the good with the bad or the bad with the good. however u want to look at it

 

[Thyra]

What a coincidence, OC - the TV was on and I walked into the room just now and there was a commercial for CLR! Will look for it tomorrow when we shop.