Removing coraline

[Hiltonc57]

So recently i got a 100 gallon rubbermaid sump from a friend. He used it to hold livrock and as a sump or awhile. It is caked in coraline and i want to remove it so that i can use it as my ro/di holding tank so i didnt have to keep an eye on it, just set a timer and like it go to town making water but what i was wondering is thers an easy way to remove it. If i used vinegar it would be a 50/50 to water and theres no way im getting 50 gallons of vinegar anywhere for cheap. i was wondering if i could spray vinegar on it and let it set and keep applying it ever so often where i could wipe it down with paper towel? or is there some kind of acid i cold use. Sorry so the long explanation, Thank you fo your help in advance!!

Jacob

 

[rifishguy]

Yes you can spray it on let it sit spray again and it will come right off.

 

[Hiltonc57]

ahhh! thank you, i have been sitting there with a razor blade scraping away for hours!

 

[Henry Colf]

AHHH, I was gonna say a few razors and some elbow grease!!!!!

 

[Hiltonc57]

AHHH, I was gonna say a few razors and some elbow grease!!!!!

hahaha! i think im still going to scrap some of it off to give to vinegar a place to soak into and get under it and hopefully it will peel right off!

 

[amazo]

a good natural way to keep it under control would be to add an urchin or two

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

keep dust and dirt out of Ro water. Maybe fabricate a lid for the Rubbermaid tub.

 

[Hiltonc57]

amazo, the rubbermaid is empty at the moment. I was once a sump.

Gary, I have been thinking of some ideas but non of them seem good to me. I was thinking a wooden lid that i would paint with marine waterproof paint on the underside with a hinged door for easy access.

Another question:
How long can i keep RO water in the rubbermaid (covered)until it goes 'bad'? i want to atleast keep some water it there at all times so that i can use it for top offs when needed and if an emergency comes about.

Thank you everyone for the responses

Jacob

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

somebody else will need to give suggestions here because I've never used Rubbermaid tubs in my systems

 

[Hiltonc57]

Gary, how do you store your RO water?

 

[Capt_Cully]

Use muriatic acid. I'm a huge (new) fan. It's pretty caustic, but in a matter of 3 hours, with the right mix of water, acid, and then baking soda to neutralize it, the coralline will be GONE!

Refer to the "rock reincarnation" thread

 

[Hiltonc57]

where can i get that from? does it have to soak or can it just be sprayed on?

What is your mixing ratio, something like 50/50?

Thank you!

 

[tmz]

Don't spray muriatic acid( roughly 30% hydrochloric acid ) . The fumes are bad and the acid will burn you. Just fill the tub with tap water and add about a gallon from Lowe's or Home depot. Add baking soda to nuetralize it once the coraline melts( probably 3 to 5 hours). You can check the ph to be sure it's neutralized. Use gloves and eye protection and use it in a well ventilated area.


I keep ro water continuously in a brute garbage can with a top but I use some most everyday so it aerates. I'd probably use a smaller strorage device than 100g . For a cover maybe a sheet of plexiglass or a few storage bin covers hinged with heavy cable ties would work.