Citric acid, does it self evaporate?

[ostracizedreefer]

Hey all, just wondering if anyone can answer this question. When cleaning containers for water mixing or CAM storage I usually use some citric acid dissolved in water. After soaking and cleaning I normally rinse with fresh water and allow to dry. Is it fair to assume that the rinse before allowing to dry will leave it residue free? Or is it still possible to leave behind traces of citric acid on the surfaces?

 

[Timfish]

I'd guess a trace in the form of a fine powder might be detectable with the right equipment depending on how well it's rinsed. I use H2O2 when I want to to insure bacteria don't get spread from on system to another system. Otherwise just rinsing with tap water is satisfactory.

 

[Reefing102]

Welcome to RC! As Timfish said, there’s likely some trace left. For cleaning purposes you should be fine. For bacterial issues like cleaning a QT tank, I’d do h202 or bleach

 

[ostracizedreefer]

Thanks for your responses everyone. Yeh I have generally used RODI water to rinse thinking it will make it best for making my randys in afterwards. I think from now on I will rinse with tap water and just allow to dry before using to make and store the randys (which is OBVIOUSLY made with rodi).

Wvned I have definitely witnessed the insoluble byproduct you mention before. I cleaned out an IBC which I filled with water and citric acid mix. Allowed to soak and then drained, followed by a blast with garden hose. When I came back to it few weeks later and all dried up there was a whole heap of coloured residue built up around the bottom drain where all the water had puddled up last before evaporation.