Tank shut down cleaning questions?????? (1 Viewer)

[malira]

I'm shutting down my son's tank after 7 yrs. I'd like to clean the tank before I sell it. It's a 90 gl with a 35 gl in the sump right now.

I'm thinking of putting vinegar in the tank before I drain it, of the saltwater, to clean it. Let it run for a few hours clean off any coralline or other incrusted stuff. Let it do its magic on the skimmer.

1. I'm wondering since it's about 130 gallons of water how much vinegar would I need to be effective? I have 4 gallons of vinegar.
2. Is there a Saltwater/vinegar reaction I need to worry about?
3. Should I just use weak power washer?
4. What did you do?

Any suggestions would be appreciated

 

[Bigger Rick]

Citric acid works wonders

 

[malira]

Citric acid works wonders

Thanks. I've been reading about it and it seems that would do the trick for what I need done.

 

[Erin]

Citric acid works wonders

Where do you buy yours from?

 

[Bigger Rick]

Where do you buy yours from?

Amazon

Amazon.com

 

[Reefahholic]

Trust me, I’ve cleaned several tanks and it takes lots of vinegar to be effective.

Go to Lowe’s or HD and get one gallon of Muriatic acid. $5-$10 Mix it 70/30 RO water to Acid. Even 70/20 will get it. Put it in a spray bottle and anything calcium carbonate will dissolve in seconds. Would be best to do this outside. You can use the blue/white or the green I’ll post a pic below. The green has less fumes and is still very effective. Just don’t mix with bleach.

 

[RickD]

Trust me, I’ve cleaned several tanks and it takes lots of vinegar to be effective.

Go to Lowe’s or HD and get one gallon of Muriatic acid. $5-$10 Mix it 70/30 RO water to Acid. Even 70/20 will get it. Put it in a spray bottle and anything calcium carbonate will dissolve in seconds. Would be best to do this outside. You can use the blue/white or the green I’ll post a pic below. The green has less fumes and is still very effective. Just don’t mix with bleach.

This is how we clean the salt chlorinator for saltwater pools. Every 2-3 months it will leave calcium deposits on the electrodes and usually use 1:4 ratio. Vinegar is very weak. Just use goggles and be sure to mix downwind.

 

[Reefahholic]

This is how we clean the salt chlorinator for saltwater pools. Every 2-3 months it will leave calcium deposits on the electrodes and usually use 1:4 ratio. Vinegar is very weak. Just use goggles and be sure to mix downwind.

Vinegar is useless IMO. Even if it's extra strength. They're all weak. Sorry Cody...

You'll have 10 people that swear by it...

The reaction time is sooooo sloooooow.

Even Citric Acid has 20 minute reaction time.

Muratic Acid is almost instant. Longest would be 3-5 minutes.

 

[Reefahholic]

The only draw back with acid is the fumes. Don't breath it or let it hit your eyes.

Vapor filters!

 

[malira]

Thanks guys I will try it. I bought some citric acid but I have 2 tanks to clean plus other equipment. Muriatic acid seams the fastest.

 

[Reefahholic]

Here’s a Lowe’s pic I took in the store. It will give you a better idea of the two brands and what to look for.