Cleaning your Skimmers

[lawdog]

I have a beast of a skimmer in the EuroReef RS-250. It works unbelieveably well... I also run a LRC-1 Lifereef Calcium reactor setup on my tank. The skimmer creates so much foam water column up into the tube that I get a decent layer of coraline algae on the inside of the tube. I obviously do not want to scratch the tube and acrylic safe scrappers/pads do not work due to the rounded tubing.

How does everyone clean the coraline algae from their skimmers. The RS-250 is too large to soak in a bucket with vinegar. I guess I could soak it in a brute trash can but that would take quite a bit of vinegar and alot of mess. Anyone have a good idea on how to clean a large skimmer without scratching it???

Thanks for any ideas.

 

[Po-vegas reefer]

Dont use a brute can just temp cap your water outlet and inlet on your skimmer and fill it with water and vinegar solution I have the same problem with my ASM

 

[lawdog]

Thanks for the idea vegas reefer... What do you use to cap of the inlet and outlet?

 

[ChickenCannoneer]

Don't waste your time with vinegar. Get a bottle of muratic acid from Home depot or other place. All you have to do is pour a little on the coraline and wait a few seconds making sure not to breath the cloud that comes up . Then just pour some water on it and wipe with a sponge. Everything is good as new! I use this all the time on my skimmer and tunze pumps. If you have any more questions just ask. HTH, Tim

 

[serpentman]

I can second Tim's suggestion. It will eat coralline off instantly.

 

[MJAnderson]

You can cover your skimmer in that black saran wrap they sell to put on the back of tanks. No lights = no algae, corraline or otherwise. The only thing that is exposed on mine is the colleciton cup and I've never had anything form on that.

 

[stevestank]

Does Muratic acid have any negative affect on a reef? Residue allowing it to go back into the system? Sounds like a strong chemical. Many say "don't put your hands in your tank."

 

[Willie_6]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9164875#post9164875 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by stevestank
Does Muratic acid have any negative affect on a reef? Residue allowing it to go back into the system? Sounds like a strong chemical. Many say "don't put your hands in your tank."

It is acid, so yes it is strong. You have to watch the fumes and make sure you do not get any on you. Muriatic has a negative ph, so it could affect your params. You want to rinse real well when you are done.

 

[lawdog]

The muriatic acid is safe to use on plastics and acrylic??? That would be my only concern is using such a strong acid on acrylic. I would be afraid of crazing or other issues...

 

[ChickenCannoneer]

I have not had any problems with it doing any damage to any plastics. And the only effect that you would have if you had a residue on you equipment from not rinsing would be a very slight pH drop but just washing it down with running water will clean it all up. HTH, Tim

 

[Willie_6]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9165346#post9165346 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by lawdog
The muriatic acid is safe to use on plastics and acrylic??? That would be my only concern is using such a strong acid on acrylic. I would be afraid of crazing or other issues...

Make sure you dilute it.

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

10 to 1 and wear gloves. Do it away from tank, and be careful....it's not the strongest as acids go, but can do serious damage.

 

[Old Crusty]

Baking soda rinse will also neutralize the acid leftover and beware of the cloud its pretty strong.

 

[lawdog]

Thanks Guys....

 

[philmck]

Muriatic acid is the trade name for hyrdrochloric acid. This is a "strong" acid - meaning it dissassociates 100% in water. In pure aqueous form, there should not be any residuals that would harm your tank. A simple rinse will suffice.

If you are talking about concentrated muriatic, I would strongly recommend diluting it - when doing so always remember the rule:
Add acid to water, never water to acid.

Chears,
Phil