Cleaning with vinegar?

ed102475 · 04/02/2009, 12:41 PM

when cleaning equipment with vinegar does it matter what kind of vinegar i use and how long should i let the pump/skimmer run in vinegar?

Joshsmit56001 · 04/02/2009, 01:11 PM

I use plain white vinegar in a 50/50 solution of vinegar/water. I run the pumps for awhile then use a brush to scrub off the stuff that is stuck on.

Alaskan Reefer · 04/02/2009, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Joshsmit56001
I use plain white vinegar in a 50/50 solution of vinegar/water. I run the pumps for awhile then use a brush to scrub off the stuff that is stuck on.

+1

Vinegar is probably our best cleaning product. Grab the cheapest gallon of white vinegar from your grocery store and go to town with a toothbrush.

snorvich · 04/02/2009, 03:16 PM

My process is as above; I use generic white vinegar from our supermarket.

douglam · 04/02/2009, 06:36 PM

will it remove coraline algae from pumps

Squidward5 · 04/02/2009, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by douglam
will it remove coraline algae from pumps

It works great, vinegar is cheap straight shoot it, works better

d3rryc · 04/03/2009, 08:26 AM

And yes, soaking in vinegar overnight WILL remove coralline algae. Whatever coralline doesn't simply fall off will scrub off quite easily with an old toothbrush.

Justdrew · 04/03/2009, 12:57 PM

An even cheaper alternative to vinegar is diluted muriatic acid. I have cleaned all my pumps and equipment this way for the last decade. 1:10 or 1:12 ratio, and a gallon goes along way. Yeas, the straight acid can be more dangerous, but once diluted very easy to work with.

Later
Drew

04/02/2009, 12:41 PM	#1
ed102475 Reef Custodian Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: FL. Posts: 954	Cleaning with vinegar? when cleaning equipment with vinegar does it matter what kind of vinegar i use and how long should i let the pump/skimmer run in vinegar? __________________ Stromalitic cyanobacteria!... Gather. An entire ecosystem contained in one infinitesimal speck.

04/02/2009, 01:11 PM	#2
Joshsmit56001 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Lake Crystal, MN Posts: 654	I use plain white vinegar in a 50/50 solution of vinegar/water. I run the pumps for awhile then use a brush to scrub off the stuff that is stuck on. __________________ PBITAWA Current Tank Info: 150 Gallon Reef

04/02/2009, 03:16 PM	#4
snorvich Team RC member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Outlander Posts: 40,953 Blog Entries: 46	My process is as above; I use generic white vinegar from our supermarket. __________________ Warmest regards, ~Steve~

04/03/2009, 12:57 PM	#8
Justdrew Dad with Triplets! Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 583	An even cheaper alternative to vinegar is diluted muriatic acid. I have cleaned all my pumps and equipment this way for the last decade. 1:10 or 1:12 ratio, and a gallon goes along way. Yeas, the straight acid can be more dangerous, but once diluted very easy to work with. Later Drew __________________ "As Far As You Know!" -Fletch Current Tank Info: 40 Breeder, 2X Radion XR15W, Vortech MP40 & MP10, Simplicity Aquatics 240DC Skimmer, Apex Controlled

04/02/2009, 06:36 PM	#5
douglam Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Saint Petersburg, FL Posts: 867	will it remove coraline algae from pumps

04/03/2009, 08:26 AM	#7
d3rryc Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Cedar Park, TX Posts: 213	And yes, soaking in vinegar overnight WILL remove coralline algae. Whatever coralline doesn't simply fall off will scrub off quite easily with an old toothbrush.