Fish Tank Filter Problems

How do I fix a build-up problem with my fish tank filter and hood?

I have had a 10 gal. fish tank for about 6 years. The fish are doing very well. About a year ago our original filter that came with the tank broke. I bought a replacement filter. But with the new filter I began noticing an immediate huge increase in the amount of white crusty deposits building up. around the top of the aquarium, the inside of the hood, and even on the wall behind the filter. It got so bad that the hood light stopped working. I bought another filter and a new hood about 6 months ago. The problem still persists and now my new hood lights have stopped working already.

Do I have the wrong filter? I made sure that the filter said it was appropriate for a 10 gallon tank. Do you have any suggestions for fixing this problem?

Here is the quick answer.
Water spray from filter is striking surfaces. If you have alkaline water, hard water or salt water the white residue will be everywhere. The fixture will corrode.

I like the internal filters to help prevent this. Also avoid an airstone under the light fixture. The better light fixtures are made by All Glass Aquarium and Perfecto,Odell, they have a full locking lense or piece of glass between the aquarium and the light. There are cheaper models I avoid them.

I have 35 year old tanks, and I have seen this issue more in the last few years with small cheaper aquarium setups sold in big stores.

At least every month clean the light fixture hood with lemon juice or vinegar. There is also safe aquarium cleaner on the market from API.

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