muriatic acid, long term use question

[rick s]

Hi Randy,

I use vinegar to clean my pumps, power heads, protein skimmer, etc. It softens the coraline enough to where it simply wipes off. But the green algae still needs to be scrubbed off.

I have heard of people soaking them in bleach to remove the green algae, but I know that bleach weakens plastics over time.

I have also heard of people using muriatic acid to clean these items. Do you know if muriatic acid does any long term damage to things like pumps, power heads, protein skimmers, and fluidized filters or is it fine to use for this purpose, long term considered?

Thanks,

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

It might, but I've cleaned powerheads a few times with no issues. The polypropylene impellers from Iwaki pumps, for example, will not be harmed at all no matter how many times you do it. Some plastics and/or other materials might, however, become brittle over time. The stronger the acid, the faster that might happen.

 

[smeese]

Lose the Rio's (if you have them) and you will be ok!