The Puffer Forum

How in the world do I get this thing clean? I have tried soap and water, white vinegar and CLR to try to cut through whatever this stuff is on the tank. Any ideas on how to clean this crud off? On another note there is a small chip in the tank and i was hoping someone could tell me if it could be fixed up or if its a lost cause.


The crack i wonder if it could just be fixed with aquarium safe glue?


The tank belonged to my boyfriends brother and he had just left it sitting for years still full of water and everything after all his other fish had died. Is there anything we can do to clean this guy up or is it just a lost cause?

You could try some #0000 steel wool to clean the water stains, just keep it wet. And If it's a small tank the chip will probably be OK.

What are you gonna put in it?

people here seem to like oxiclean, i have some just havent tried it yet

There is what I suspect to be a fangs puffer at a near by petstore who has been there for months. I have fallen in love with the guy and would love to take him home so I'm hoping to get this tank up and running to give this guy a chance at a happy home.

I use viniger and scotch scrubbing pads. Let it soak like overnight in concentraded viniger water then take the pad to it and it should clean right up. I would try some 100% clear silicone for the crack.

Saturate newspaper in straight vinegar & lay it on the glass in thick layers overnight. Take a razor blade to it in the morning. Should come off easily. How many gallons is that? I generally don't recommend a hex tank for a puffer--the footprint's too small.

Its a thirty gallon

If the tank proves to be too small I was told a less active bottom dweller like the congo may be a better purchase for a hex tank.

That chip worries me too.

I use a steel wool. I get the same buildup on my glass covers occasionally. The steel wool makes it easy to clean. But like someone said above keep it wet so u don't scratch the glass.