CLR for aqariums???

Countryguy · 07-26-2007, 12:05 AM

OK I'm in the mist of setting up a ten gallon tank freshwater and plan on putting small live bearers in it.

My question, I have well water, so no chlorine probs, but I do have issues with calcium and rust. How bad is it and what type of products are available to correct this if it's bad?

emc7 · 07-26-2007, 11:39 AM

You can rinse your stuff in CLR or limeaway, but you have to rinse it very thoroughly before letting it contact fish. The only way to take calcium out of fish water is to dilute it with filtered water. For your fish its not worth the trouble. Most livebearers (mollies, platies, swordtails, guppies, goodieds) have no issues with very hard water and prefer it to soft. You can clean off the outside of the tank with vinegar when you splatter. The most important issue to watch for is calcium buildup restricting filter or air flow. If you find you're losing flow, take the clogged part out and hit it with lime-a-way in the sink, then rinse.

emc7 · 07-26-2007, 11:16 PM

Iron isn't bad for fish, but if you have other "heavy" metals (copper?) you could use a water conditioner like Nov-aqua that contains EDTA.

Countryguy · 07-27-2007, 12:17 AM

Thank you emc7!

07-26-2007, 12:05 AM	#1
Countryguy Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Age: 38 Posts: 48	CLR for aqariums??? OK I'm in the mist of setting up a ten gallon tank freshwater and plan on putting small live bearers in it. My question, I have well water, so no chlorine probs, but I do have issues with calcium and rust. How bad is it and what type of products are available to correct this if it's bad?

07-26-2007, 11:39 AM	#2
emc7 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Johns Creek, GA Posts: 3,654	You can rinse your stuff in CLR or limeaway, but you have to rinse it very thoroughly before letting it contact fish. The only way to take calcium out of fish water is to dilute it with filtered water. For your fish its not worth the trouble. Most livebearers (mollies, platies, swordtails, guppies, goodieds) have no issues with very hard water and prefer it to soft. You can clean off the outside of the tank with vinegar when you splatter. The most important issue to watch for is calcium buildup restricting filter or air flow. If you find you're losing flow, take the clogged part out and hit it with lime-a-way in the sink, then rinse. Last edited by emc7; 07-27-2007 at 04:11 AM.

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07-26-2007, 11:16 PM	#3
emc7 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Johns Creek, GA Posts: 3,654	Iron isn't bad for fish, but if you have other "heavy" metals (copper?) you could use a water conditioner like Nov-aqua that contains EDTA.

07-27-2007, 12:17 AM	#4
Countryguy Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Age: 38 Posts: 48	Thank you emc7!

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