I have been using white vinegar to clean calcium deposit in the past, but it can get pretty expensive when not on sale. I remember somebody told me that he uses some kind of acid to do the cleaning, but can not remember the name anymore. Could somebody share what you use, where to buy and price, and if it is reef safe? Thanks in advance.
What do you use to clean pumps/powerheads?
- Thread starter tonggao
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rleechb
New member
I use muriatic acid, and it's awesome. A 1-2 minute dip will clean off any calcium deposits on my pumps. However, it is pretty potent. My skin dries out and gets pretty irritated when any of the 10-20% solution gets on me. Also, there are some fumes that will come out of the bottle when you open it... I make sure there's a fan around so I don't breath any of the concentrated fumes in. It's definitely worth it, if you're careful, imo. I can't stand the smell of vinegar, and a 100% vinegar dip doesn't seem nearly as effective as muriatic acid in any percentage solution.
rleechb
New member
haha, yeah, watch out for the fumes. I'm not sure if it's used to clean wine bottles however (maybe Tyler will chime in). I picked mine up for about 3 bucks for a gallon at Lowe's. Remember, acid into water, not vice versa.
When you pour the acid onto a calcium deposit, the calcium literally fizzles away. Pretty potent stuff.
When you pour the acid onto a calcium deposit, the calcium literally fizzles away. Pretty potent stuff.
The vapors coming from muriatic acid are pretty much chlorine gas. The same chlorine gas that is used as a chemical weapon. The gas can get into your lungs, mix with the water, and turn back to muriatic acid.
Except it is in your lungs now.
Of course, you really need to put your nose into the stuff and inhale deeply to do some damage. Regardless, if you use muriatic acid, do it in a well ventilated area and be careful.
Or, you could just use vinegar.
Except it is in your lungs now.
Of course, you really need to put your nose into the stuff and inhale deeply to do some damage. Regardless, if you use muriatic acid, do it in a well ventilated area and be careful.
Or, you could just use vinegar.
Mr. Ugly
New member
The stuff for wine bottles is sodium metabisulfite. Releases sulfer dioxide which kills microorganisms.
Muriatic/hydrochloric acid releases hydrogen chloride gas. Yes, it will become acid in your lungs
I've done that before in school when I left an uncovered beaker of HCl on the lab bench
If you use vinegar, just let stuff soak overnight.
Muriatic/hydrochloric acid releases hydrogen chloride gas. Yes, it will become acid in your lungs
I've done that before in school when I left an uncovered beaker of HCl on the lab bench
If you use vinegar, just let stuff soak overnight.
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9105400#post9105400 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by stubbsz
muriatic acid:
Isn't that the stuff you use to clean out bottles when making wine/beer. If it is, that stuff is nasty. I once took a lungful by mistake and thought I was a gonner. Brutal. But if it works, I'm there
I use vinegar myself.
Try idophor less rinsing, and it leaves no residue.
