This maybe a stupid question but here it is

Bikerharold · 04/23/2017, 09:09 PM

Want to clean my skimmer, pumps etc. Can you use a solution of vinegar and water to do this. Wouldn't think it would hurt especially if it is rinsed off really well but also don't want to disrupt my or cause and damage to equipment or tank.

TokiHacker · 04/23/2017, 09:10 PM

50/50 for an hour or so and a good cleaning with a toothbrush and let it air dry

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nereefpat · 04/23/2017, 09:29 PM

Won't damage anything. Works well for pumps, etc. Like you said, just rinse.

fishchef · 04/24/2017, 09:55 AM

You can use full strength, even soak overnight. Rinse well.

TYC · 04/24/2017, 10:10 AM

I use 1 part vinegar to 5 parts water solution, let pump & equipment soak overnight and then soak another night in clean water. If u can, running the pump while soaking in vinegar solution would be even better.

AlSimmons · 04/24/2017, 10:11 AM

Being that vinegar is cheap and can be used over & over again, just use it at full strength and then pour it right back into the bottle when your done. Try and run your pumps while they soak too.

Sk8r · 04/24/2017, 12:01 PM

You can get white vinegar cheap at Costco or Sams.
And because it is even used in carbon dosing (in small amounts) it's about the most innocuous cleaner you can find. Any bit that stays in the guts of a pump is ok. The larger amount that may be in the skimmer body should be poured out before return to service. But vinegar is no danger to your tank in small amounts.

heathlindner25 · 04/24/2017, 03:37 PM

The only stupid question is the one not asked.

heathlindner25 · 04/24/2017, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlSimmons

Being that vinegar is cheap and can be used over & over again, just use it at full strength and then pour it right back into the bottle when your done. Try and run your pumps while they soak too.

Being that its cheap..... just throw it away.... yuck.

Bikerharold · 04/24/2017, 08:09 PM

Thanks everyone. Feel better checking rather than wishing I did

TokiHacker · 04/24/2017, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heathlindner25

Being that its cheap..... just throw it away.... yuck.

agreed. huge +11111111111111111110000000000000000000000

AlSimmons · 04/25/2017, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heathlindner25

Being that its cheap..... just throw it away.... yuck.

Why is it so disgusting to you? It's basically just the same stuff in your tank only now it's submerged in vinegar. (Coralline algae, detritus etc) I'm assuming you put your arms in your tank don't you? While vinegar is cheap and quite common I don't mind saving a few bucks here & there either. Certain dry foods only cost a few bucks and these will last me months. I'd hate to throw that down the drain.

04/23/2017, 09:09 PM	#1
Bikerharold Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Whitby, Ontario Canada Posts: 57	This maybe a stupid question but here it is Want to clean my skimmer, pumps etc. Can you use a solution of vinegar and water to do this. Wouldn't think it would hurt especially if it is rinsed off really well but also don't want to disrupt my or cause and damage to equipment or tank.

04/23/2017, 09:10 PM	#2
TokiHacker Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Mobile, Alabama Posts: 549	50/50 for an hour or so and a good cleaning with a toothbrush and let it air dry Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ 200 GAL Mixed Reef Build \| 20GAL JBJ Frag Tank \| 29GAL Chiragra Mantis Shrimp Tank

04/23/2017, 09:29 PM	#3
nereefpat Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Central Nebraska Posts: 3,190	Won't damage anything. Works well for pumps, etc. Like you said, just rinse. __________________ Pat Current Tank Info: 125 in-wall , 40b sump. 6 bulb T5. ASM G2 skimmer. LPS and leathers

04/24/2017, 12:01 PM	#7
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	You can get white vinegar cheap at Costco or Sams. And because it is even used in carbon dosing (in small amounts) it's about the most innocuous cleaner you can find. Any bit that stays in the guts of a pump is ok. The larger amount that may be in the skimmer body should be poured out before return to service. But vinegar is no danger to your tank in small amounts. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

04/24/2017, 09:55 AM	#4
fishchef Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 1,222	You can use full strength, even soak overnight. Rinse well.

04/24/2017, 10:10 AM	#5
TYC Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Central NJ Posts: 237	I use 1 part vinegar to 5 parts water solution, let pump & equipment soak overnight and then soak another night in clean water. If u can, running the pump while soaking in vinegar solution would be even better.

04/24/2017, 10:11 AM	#6
AlSimmons Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: California Posts: 2,482	Being that vinegar is cheap and can be used over & over again, just use it at full strength and then pour it right back into the bottle when your done. Try and run your pumps while they soak too.

04/24/2017, 03:37 PM	#8
heathlindner25 Moved On Join Date: May 2012 Location: flowery branch georgia Posts: 3,644	The only stupid question is the one not asked.

04/24/2017, 08:09 PM	#10
Bikerharold Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Whitby, Ontario Canada Posts: 57	Thanks everyone. Feel better checking rather than wishing I did