Muriatic Acid (1 Viewer)

[DFS]

How do you clean a tank using Muriatic Acid?

Do you dilute the solution and let the tank sit? If so what is the ratio to water and how long does it need to sit?

Do you apply direct to the glass?

Any suggestions would appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Hurdicuss]

I am not sure that you would want to clean a tank with muriatic acid. I know this stuff will eat away calcium carbonate build-up on pumps and equipment really well and will clean-up rust spots on things but i would imagine it would also eat away or react with the silicone in the tank in some way. Like i said, i am not 100% sure about it, but this is the first time i have heard anyone using it to clean a tank. If you are giving it a shot then you DEFINATELY want to dilute it and DO NOT breathe in any vapors....work in a well ventilated area!!! Have you considered vinegar??

 

[R-BallJunkie]

That’s nasty stuff. it will start to smoke when you pour it on concrete, definitely not good for the complexion as well. go to walmart or krogers or fiesta and get a gallon of the cheapest white vinegar. That will take care of the glass. Let it sit 20 minutes, scrub off with non abrasive pad.


c

 

[DFS]

I scraped the deposits off with a razor, but there is still dirt in the pores of the glass.

I tried some vinegar last night, (still sitting). I will let you know if it works.

I did a search on this site before posting and other users metioned using muriatic acid, so I wanted to find out how they used it.

 

[Guest]

I know a few people that have used the Muriatc acid to clean up old encrusted tanks and they had zero problems with the silicone when diluted.

 

[chriskb3]

Taken from www.Melevsreef.com

"When soaking plumbing parts (below) in muriatic acid, be sure to mix the water and acid well. When I was trying to clean the older part during the transition, I poured one gallon of acid in 25 gallons of water, and it didn't do much to the algae and aiptasia as expected. I poured in a second gallon of acid, and still results were poor. Only later did I realize it had all settled at the base of the trashcan, and stuff like locline were ruined due to the caustic nature of the acid. Mix it well either by stirring or put a pump in the barrel to get everything equalized."

 

[Guest]

Yes, put a crap powerhead to keep it circulate and don't expect it to work instantly.