muriatic acid + dislodging coralline algae

[suta4242]

I've had to do an emergency tank stripdown after a prolonged power failure. Am now trying to remove the coralline which is heavily plated in some areas, from the glass. The tank which needs to be cleaned before sale, is presently filled with freshwater but very little seems to have died off. Scraping alone isnt working in some areas..

At 220L net volume I want to know if I could add some muriatic acid to assist removal of the coralline from the glass. If yes, how much?


thanks!

 

[quader94]

Another way would be to use a razor blade. Cheaper than acid

 

[suta4242]

Have tried that - only works in areas where the coralline is not that thick. Coralline on the back wall has been allowed to flourish for over a year (slack, I know) and is plating heavily in most areas.

 

[jimsplace]

I have used 1 gallon of Muriatic acid to 10 gallons of water to clean my rockwork. It is still very strong stuff and requires rubber gloves and eye protection. You might want to get some water movement to accelerate the action.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I might treat it side by side by laying it flat on each side, add 10% acid in fresh water and soak for an hour or so, then rotate the tank to another side. If that can work, you'd use a ton less acid and water. Be very careful to not get the undiluted acid on you, and even the diluted acid will be a problem if you get it into your eyes.

 

[tmz]

I did this job outdoors. Fumes/mists from hydrochloric acid are harmful .

After soaking you may be able to hose off any remaining of the mess.

I just filled the 29 gallon tank with water and added a half gallon of muriatic acid(37% hydrochloric acid solution) : and let it soak overnight.Then dumped it out and hosed it out.