Cleaning off old coralline residue

Spar · 09/25/2015, 03:31 PM

My acrylic sump is currently sitting empty and has a lot of calcium/coralline buildup (white now) all over the inside. What product can I use to get it off easily? I want to avoid using a razorblade as i don't care to scratch it.

Reef Frog · 09/25/2015, 03:36 PM

I would try softening it up with white vinegar first and then scrape with a plastic scraper approved for acrylic. Scratches in acrylic can be buffed out if they're not too deep.

Spar · 09/25/2015, 03:41 PM

what about a product like lime-away?

Bent · 09/25/2015, 05:52 PM

Distilled white vinegar soak melts it away. Just wipe it off with a cloth. It's how I cleaned all my old stuff.

NISMO703 · 09/25/2015, 06:02 PM

Depending on how big your sump is, fill it with 1 part vinegar and 3 parts water. Throw a powerhead in there and let it soak for 24-48 hours.

figuerres · 09/25/2015, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bent

Distilled white vinegar soak melts it away. Just wipe it off with a cloth. It's how I cleaned all my old stuff.

+++

Caroline is calcium and vinegar is a good mild solvent that will not leave any toxic residue.

Spar · 09/25/2015, 09:04 PM

Its a large sump, around 120g. I will just have to get in there and scrub well with vinegar. Really there are only two compartments i care about so i am probably over thinking how much effort this will entail.

figuerres · 09/25/2015, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spar

Its a large sump, around 120g. I will just have to get in there and scrub well with vinegar. Really there are only two compartments i care about so i am probably over thinking how much effort this will entail.

Get like ten gallons of vinegar and 100 of water and a pump to move it and let it sit for a day then work it a bit and wait a day, as you scrape or rub the vinegar will get in and break it down , after a few days change out about 1/3 of the water and add more vinegar... if you can do that and give it a week a lot will just fall off...

outssider · 09/26/2015, 03:35 PM

muriatic acid (from a pool place or home depot) mixed about 10/1 with water is a much cheaper way to go than vinegar. If that's not strong enough, just keep adding muriatic acid until you get the results you are looking for.

09/25/2015, 03:31 PM	#1
Spar Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Plano, TX Posts: 2,517	Cleaning off old coralline residue My acrylic sump is currently sitting empty and has a lot of calcium/coralline buildup (white now) all over the inside. What product can I use to get it off easily? I want to avoid using a razorblade as i don't care to scratch it. __________________ 450g Mixed SPS/LPS Reef (MH/T5/VHO)

09/25/2015, 03:41 PM	#3
Spar Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Plano, TX Posts: 2,517	what about a product like lime-away? __________________ 450g Mixed SPS/LPS Reef (MH/T5/VHO)

09/25/2015, 05:52 PM	#4
Bent I got nothin' Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: The anals Posts: 6,420	Distilled white vinegar soak melts it away. Just wipe it off with a cloth. It's how I cleaned all my old stuff. __________________ Quitters never lose. [QUOTE=CStrickland]Who gets mad at a starfish?[/QUOTE] Current Tank Info: 75g DT, 30G refugium, 10g chaeto tank, 50g stock tank basement sump

09/25/2015, 06:02 PM	#5
NISMO703 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Northern VA - NOVA Posts: 94	Depending on how big your sump is, fill it with 1 part vinegar and 3 parts water. Throw a powerhead in there and let it soak for 24-48 hours. __________________ Bedroom IM Fusion 40 - Kessil A350w mixed reef Living Room IM Fusion 40 - Kessil A360we - currently cycling

09/25/2015, 09:04 PM	#7
Spar Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Plano, TX Posts: 2,517	Its a large sump, around 120g. I will just have to get in there and scrub well with vinegar. Really there are only two compartments i care about so i am probably over thinking how much effort this will entail. __________________ 450g Mixed SPS/LPS Reef (MH/T5/VHO)

09/25/2015, 03:36 PM	#2
Reef Frog Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Maryland Posts: 3,121	I would try softening it up with white vinegar first and then scrape with a plastic scraper approved for acrylic. Scratches in acrylic can be buffed out if they're not too deep.

09/26/2015, 03:35 PM	#9
outssider Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Reseda, Ca. Posts: 1,717	muriatic acid (from a pool place or home depot) mixed about 10/1 with water is a much cheaper way to go than vinegar. If that's not strong enough, just keep adding muriatic acid until you get the results you are looking for.