Vinegar...

[glalderman]

OK...have tried to do searches for this...I know you can use a diluted vinegar solutions for cleaning deposits off pumps etc...but is it OK to fill up a dirty tank with a vinegar solution and run a power head to keep the water circulating? If so...how much rinsing is going to be required before putting good water back in?

I want to be lazy...would rather not scrub to much to clean up this tank...but if scrubbing would be easier than rinsing out vinegar solution multiple times...might save time in the long run...

Thanks!

Greg

 

[mike660r]

There is always muratic acid if you want quick results.....

 

[Randy1]

I soak them in straight white vinegar.

 

[itZme]

i would think that is a situation where muriatic acid is a better solution. It is much stronger so you could dilute it a bunch and it iwould still remove all the coralline and gunk. It is relatively cheap in gallons too.

 

[glalderman]

Muruiatic acid...That's the stuff to clean concrete before painting it correct...Home Depot paint section???

Greg

 

[oldreefer76]

Yep, but have also used white vinegar 32 oz to 15g over night and a power head with good results also and just rinsed very well

 

[glalderman]

Thank for all the info...

One more question on the acid...if put in and left overnight with power head...will it eat into either the sealant or the plastic MegaFlows?

would a 100 to 1 dilution be strong enough (or to strong) to clean up the tank?

Again thanks...just would be really PO'ed at my self if I damaged the tank because I was being lazy and letting chemicals do all the work!

Greg

 

[oldreefer76]

I can't answer on the Muriatic acid but the white vinegar @ 32oz per 15g overnite was easy everything wiped off real easy and rinsed well and had no effects on the seals

 

[glalderman]

thanks Reefer...might try that first...the tank really isn't that encrusted...I just want to make sure it is clean and nothing bad is hiding out in it...

 

[CleveYank]

A bit of caution.

Muriatic acid for those who may not know, is very very strong.
And unlike vinegar if you spill or splash it on you, your eyes, or clothes, or other things during the process it will burn them.

It works, and probably very well. Just have to goggle and glove up and watch where it's going. *****Also the vapors that muriatic acid produces are toxic.

If the chemical hazards are not something you want to deal with then...
The vinegar is much safer overall and will still probably get the job done.

 

[jefft321]

I have heard that people are using a Dawn Powered scrub brush for cleaning equipment and it works well.

 

[bosworth]

Vinegar is much safer but takes a little longer and is also much easier to dispose of. I dont think you can actually mix too much of it with water either.