Rimless tanks and water stains

Lighting, filtration etc
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londonloco
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Rimless tanks and water stains

Post by londonloco »

I was investigating setting up my first rimless tank when I ran across a thread that stated that water stains are a problem with rimless tanks. Stopped me in my tracks! Even though I plan on using my daughters city water (Bristow VA city water) for this set up, is this really a problem? If it is a possible problem, how do you combat it?
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sns26
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Post by sns26 »

What do you mean by "water stains"? Hard water residue?
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krisw
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Post by krisw »

I've never had any more issue with water stains on my rimless tanks from Green Leaf Aquariums then my rimmed tanks. The main thing to consider with rimless is that you can't easily put a glass top on, so water evaporates more quickly, which can leave some water marks/residue where it's evaporated, but if you keep it topped off, you never see that. None of them are permanent marks though...
londonloco
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Post by londonloco »

samsankar wrote:What do you mean by "water stains"? Hard water residue?
If I was using my well water, I would have hard water residue I wouldn't be able to get off the tank within a year. I know this from glass tops. I plan on using my daughters city water, hence the question.
londonloco
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Post by londonloco »

krisw wrote:I've never had any more issue with water stains on my rimless tanks from Green Leaf Aquariums then my rimmed tanks. The main thing to consider with rimless is that you can't easily put a glass top on, so water evaporates more quickly, which can leave some water marks/residue where it's evaporated, but if you keep it topped off, you never see that. None of them are permanent marks though...
So, the water stains just wipe off? Easily, or a scraper is needed, or chemicals....
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jweis
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Post by jweis »

I have well water and I don't have stains on my rimless tank. I do wipe down the top few inches with a cloth when I do water changes.
Julie
37g planted, 11g planted, and three 5.2g planted shrimp tanks.
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krisw
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Post by krisw »

They just wipe off for me... It would depend on the hardness of your water though. But, I can't see the problem being any different than rimmed tanks...
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Aaron
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Post by Aaron »

It depends on how vigilant you are about removing them. If you don't do anything they can get bad, but still come off with some work. Razor blades work the best for me, but you have to be careful because obviously they can scratch the glass if held at too steep of an angle.

If you change water once a week, wipe around the top of the rim with a paper towel and you're good to go.

Use the razor blade if it gets to be too bad.

You'll need to remove hard water stains no matter what like Kris said. Might as well make it easy and not have a plastic rim in the way. :)
londonloco
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Post by londonloco »

Aaron wrote:It depends on how vigilant you are about removing them. If you don't do anything they can get bad, but still come off with some work. Razor blades work the best for me, but you have to be careful because obviously they can scratch the glass if held at too steep of an angle.

If you change water once a week, wipe around the top of the rim with a paper towel and you're good to go.

Use the razor blade if it gets to be too bad.

You'll need to remove hard water stains no matter what like Kris said. Might as well make it easy and not have a plastic rim in the way. :)
The rims hide the hard water stain, at least it does on my tanks. I'm going for it anyway...I want one! :)
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