When Vinegar isn't enough.....

FlyboySMB · 03/16/2018, 05:45 PM

I have been running 100% distilled white vinegar for over a week (24/7) through a neglected UV sterilizer (a hose on the input & output with a power head in between) in an attempt to remove the built up calcification.

I am not making much progress. It ran for a little over a year without cleaning & the quartz sleeve had about 1/8" build up. I have purchase a new sleeve, but would like to clean the inside of the housing.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

Thanks,
Steve

Pet Detective · 03/16/2018, 06:19 PM

Try muriatic acid, dilute it 3 parts water to 1 part acid to start, see if that works for you, I usually clean my chillers this way, does the trick nicely.

50/50 solution if that doesn't work.

Borntrippn · 03/16/2018, 09:43 PM

Soak it in white vinegar

Kentech5 · 03/16/2018, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Borntrippn

Soak it in white vinegar

That’s exactly what they said did not work...

oldhead · 03/17/2018, 01:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kentech5

That’s exactly what they said did not work...

Well he is trippin

jmm · 03/17/2018, 10:05 AM

CLR is stronger than vinegar and works faster. Nickel-safe ice machine cleaner is stronger still. Both rinse clean and are safe to use. The ice machine cleaner is harder to find.

FlyboySMB · 03/17/2018, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pet Detective

Try muriatic acid, dilute it 3 parts water to 1 part acid to start, see if that works for you, I usually clean my chillers this way, does the trick nicely.

50/50 solution if that doesn't work.

How long do you let this solution soak? Do you run a pump while cleaning or just let it soak?

Thanks,
Steve

Pet Detective · 03/18/2018, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlyboySMB

How long do you let this solution soak? Do you run a pump while cleaning or just let it soak?

Thanks,
Steve

Depending on the severity of the calcium build up....in your case I would let it run through for at least 24/48 hours, checking on it once in a while to see if it's breaking it down and adjust the solution and or time required to complete the job.

I do use a pump for my chillers, normally I let the solution run for 8-10 hours on a nice summer day outside.

For other calcified objects, tubes, hoses, skimmer parts etc., I just let them soak for a while, salt and calcium deposits melt away like butter, muriatic acid is basically just a more concentrated version of vinegar.

You can buy it at Home Depot or Lowes or anywhere that carries pool supplies, usually about $7 a gallon, that lasts a good while.....wear rubber gloves and safety glasses, it's better to be extra safe than sorry.

03/16/2018, 05:45 PM	#1
FlyboySMB Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 121	When Vinegar isn't enough..... I have been running 100% distilled white vinegar for over a week (24/7) through a neglected UV sterilizer (a hose on the input & output with a power head in between) in an attempt to remove the built up calcification. I am not making much progress. It ran for a little over a year without cleaning & the quartz sleeve had about 1/8" build up. I have purchase a new sleeve, but would like to clean the inside of the housing. Any thoughts or suggestions? Thanks, Steve

03/16/2018, 06:19 PM	#2
Pet Detective Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 328	Try muriatic acid, dilute it 3 parts water to 1 part acid to start, see if that works for you, I usually clean my chillers this way, does the trick nicely. 50/50 solution if that doesn't work.

03/16/2018, 09:43 PM	#3
Borntrippn Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Macedonia. OH. Posts: 81	Soak it in white vinegar

03/17/2018, 10:05 AM	#6
jmm Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 569	CLR is stronger than vinegar and works faster. Nickel-safe ice machine cleaner is stronger still. Both rinse clean and are safe to use. The ice machine cleaner is harder to find.