Cleaning a tank with Muriatic Acid

[Stolireef]

As part of my restart, I'd like to thoroughly clean my glass tank. Vinegar is just not going to do the trick (at least not without a huge amount of elbow grease).

Can I use a diluted solution of muriatic acid (stuff you use in pools) to soak the tank and components? If so, what should the solution be? Thanks.

 

[NaClH20NMYVEIN]

I think I have heard of other lazy people going to that extent when they dont want to scrub.

 

[Stolireef]

I think I'd use a fairly diluted solution. the goal would be to basically loosen the coralline algae so that scraping is easier. I think vinegar would probably work but it would take gallons of the stuff.

 

[zrogst]

You'll be fine with muriatic (I would mix with RO, diluted at least 1:1); we use it to clean glass aquarium tops & fake deco. Couple hours or overnight in muriatic, and then into a bleach solution before being laid out to dry.

 

[GatorsUF]

I would be afraid of it destroying the silicone

 

[Stolireef]

I would be afraid of it destroying the silicone

That's what I was curious about. I didn't think silicone would react to the acid but I'm not sure. Considering how expensive the tank was, I'll probably err on the side of a weaker solution.

 

[doublejhunter]

Just remember that mixing acid and water is an exothermic reaction and it can get really hot really fast. Always add the acid to the water and not the other way around.

 

[Stolireef]

Just remember that mixing acid and water is an exothermic reaction and it can get really hot really fast. Always add the acid to the water and not the other way around.

thanks double J. I didn't know that. Fortunately, that's this coming week's pain.

BTW, tearing down a tank is about the worst part of this hobby. Aside from it being filthy and back breaking, I can see every mistake I made. Live and learn I guess.

I really can't wait for it to be clean and ready for another go.

 

[zrogst]

Also tank breakdowns are smelly.

 

[GatorsUF]

I had years of coralline growth on my tank. I filled it with a strong vinegar solution and it pretty much came right off. I put a power heard inside for circulation and left it that way for 3 days. You can see where some of the coralline was with the tank empty but it's not noticeable when filled. The hardest part was getting it off the black plastic overflow

 

[Stolireef]

I had years of coralline growth on my tank. I filled it with a strong vinegar solution and it pretty much came right off. I put a power heard inside for circulation and left it that way for 3 days. You can see where some of the coralline was with the tank empty but it's not noticeable when filled. The hardest part was getting it off the black plastic overflow

Any idea about what your concentration was. This is exactly my plan.

 

[Weyrman]

I had years of coralline growth on my tank. I filled it with a strong vinegar solution and it pretty much came right off. I put a power heard inside for circulation and left it that way for 3 days. You can see where some of the coralline was with the tank empty but it's not noticeable when filled. The hardest part was getting it off the black plastic overflow

This is exactly what I did with several 55 gallon tanks.

I bought about 18 gallons of vinegar at Costco and added water to the top. I transferred the vinegar mix from tank to tank and did one tank at a time.

I also put all the equipment needing vinegar baths in the tanks.

 

[GatorsUF]

10 gallons of vinegar mixed with water in a 90 gallon tank the first time and worked great. I also tried 5 gallons of vinegar in another 90 gallon tank and that also worked fine. When using the 5 gallons, I had to use a scotch brite pad to remove some of the left over coralline.

 

[bugs713]

One Gallon of 5% white vinegar is under $3 at Walmart and has been tried and tested over and over again in our hobby. Further, vinegar is MUCH safer if it is splashed on the skin, eyes, dogs, cats...

 

[GatorsUF]

See if there is a restaurant depot near you. I bought a 5 gallon bucket from there

 

[phxreefer]

I clean everything with muriatic acid, I love that stuff. That said there is risk and vinegar is safer. So use with caution if you do go with muriatic.

 

[m-six hundred]

Common Allen, pictures!

 

[Stolireef]

Thanks for all the comments and suggestions. Anyone try CLR. I think it's a little stronger than vinegar and is apparently food safe (can be used in coffee makers). It's not so much the money with the vinegar but hauling a bunch of one gallon containers. I can get a couple of small bottles of CLR that should do the same thing.

As far as pictures are concerned, my fish room (aka wife's exercise room) looks like a complete disaster (very understanding wife). I have one bucket completely filled with pumps, a very messy wet/dry vac and who knows how much sand and water spilled on the carpet. Pictures will start when things are cleaned up.

The basic plan is to reskin the stand to make it accessible on three sides, move the stand out from the wall about 6 more inches, move the water change/mixing station to the garage, and figure out a wiring solution that doesn't look like spaghetti or a rat's nest.

Then again, I could just pick up a couple of gold fish and an Aquaclear HOB filter. Who will notice the difference?

 

[tim jenkins]

anyone ever try a big tank like a 350?

 

[Stolireef]

Frankly, cleanup went much easier than expected. I ended up using vinegar in a spray bottle. Completely soak a portion of the glass, let sit for 20 or so minutes. Respray and let sit for a minute or two. Commence scraping. Came right off very easy.