Cleaning off old coralline residue

[Spar]

My acrylic sump is currently sitting empty and has a lot of calcium/coralline buildup (white now) all over the inside. What product can I use to get it off easily? I want to avoid using a razorblade as i don't care to scratch it.

 

[Reef Frog]

I would try softening it up with white vinegar first and then scrape with a plastic scraper approved for acrylic. Scratches in acrylic can be buffed out if they're not too deep.

 

[Spar]

what about a product like lime-away?

 

[Bent]

Distilled white vinegar soak melts it away. Just wipe it off with a cloth. It's how I cleaned all my old stuff.

 

[NISMO703]

Depending on how big your sump is, fill it with 1 part vinegar and 3 parts water. Throw a powerhead in there and let it soak for 24-48 hours.

 

[figuerres]

Distilled white vinegar soak melts it away. Just wipe it off with a cloth. It's how I cleaned all my old stuff.

+++

Caroline is calcium and vinegar is a good mild solvent that will not leave any toxic residue.

 

[Spar]

Its a large sump, around 120g. I will just have to get in there and scrub well with vinegar. Really there are only two compartments i care about so i am probably over thinking how much effort this will entail.

 

[figuerres]

Its a large sump, around 120g. I will just have to get in there and scrub well with vinegar. Really there are only two compartments i care about so i am probably over thinking how much effort this will entail.

Get like ten gallons of vinegar and 100 of water and a pump to move it and let it sit for a day then work it a bit and wait a day, as you scrape or rub the vinegar will get in and break it down , after a few days change out about 1/3 of the water and add more vinegar... if you can do that and give it a week a lot will just fall off...

 

[outssider]

muriatic acid (from a pool place or home depot) mixed about 10/1 with water is a much cheaper way to go than vinegar. If that's not strong enough, just keep adding muriatic acid until you get the results you are looking for.