Vinegar

[cruzin94066]

Hi I wanted to clean some salt water equipment by soaking them in water with some vinegar in it overnight. The two equipment that I am concerned about most is a ETSS Revolution skimmer and a Rio 3100 pump. If I do this will the vinegar do anything to the structure of the protein skimmer or pump or some kind of damage. Thanks

 

[KAKLANGLEY]

Vineager is acidic and may do the trick but as you ask what the downsides would be, I do not know. What I normally use is aquaqrium salt for freshwater tanks and hot water mix. This worked well for me in past at removing the hard green film algae that accumulates in my skimmer cup and on my powerheads. Most of the big chains carry it for cheap.

My$.02

 

[sir_dudeguy]

I use vinegar on all my equipment. For powerheads, i usually just set them in a bowl of straight up 100% distilled white vinegar. I will run them for a few minutes (if they're not too powerful to where they'd be blowing it out of the bowl ) and then let them sit for about an hour and everything comes right off when i go over it w/a toothbrush. It will work fine on your skimmer as well.

bertoni (i think it was him) says that citric acid is even better because its stronger, but i've never tried it.

 

[bertoni]

I use vinegar regularly. I don't think overnight is required. A few minutes to half an hour usually does the job. I don't know that longer would hurt, though.

I've never used citric acid. I suspect WaterKeeper recommended that. He's much more of a chemist than I am.

 

[sir_dudeguy]

I've never used citric acid. I suspect WaterKeeper recommended that. He's much more of a chemist than I am.

why is it that i still get you 2 mixed up? :lol:

 

[drummereef]

I use vinegar all the time to clean powerheads and skimmer parts. Works great and it's reef safe.

 

[cruzin94066]

Thanks, I will try it now.

 

[luca.sl]

best way is Hydrochloric acid 10% to 12% in water solution .... few seconds and all items are new ... use only on plastics parts

bye
Luca

 

[uscharalph]

I use vinegar.

 

[REMF]

Vinegar is great for cleaning power heads, skimmers and reflectors. I use it straight, soak for an hour or 2 and most stuff comes right off with a toothbrush.

Be carful when using it on rubber parts such as suction cups, it will distort them.