At this moment my skimmer is running in vinegar...

Sk8r · 12/24/2020, 10:08 AM

..which is what you do it for built-up crud. Good old white uncomplicated vinegar, cheaper in bulk from Costco or Sam's.

Remember, if you have a pump that needs a cleaning, a piece of gear crudded beyond recognition in that white or pink stuff (coralline can be a plague) an overnight bath in vinegar with the motor running can clean it. It can also remove lime from your shower. Or clear your spray heads. It dissolves calcium carbonate (the white stuff.)

Just a useful tidbit for the future. Your gear is too new new unless you bought used, and then it can be majorly useful. It's also relatively safe: a spoonful into your tank might alter the ph for a bit, but briefly, which makes it a lot safer than other cleaners.

taillonjohn · 12/24/2020, 11:46 AM

who often do you do this?
is it pure vinegar, or mixed with water?
How long do you run it in vinegar for? an hour? overnight?
Thanks in advance

Vinny Kreyling · 12/24/2020, 12:29 PM

Straight vinegar 10minutes, NO MORE.
Vinegar can degrade the insulation that makes the pump impervious to water.
Citric acid is the new go to for safe cleaning now.

Sk8r · 12/24/2020, 02:27 PM

Thanks, Vinny. Always glad to hear an improvement.

Dr RBG · 12/26/2020, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vinny Kreyling

Straight vinegar 10minutes, NO MORE.
Vinegar can degrade the insulation that makes the pump impervious to water.
Citric acid is the new go to for safe cleaning now.

What is the strength of citric acid? I have seen it in powdered form?
Thanks

Vinny Kreyling · 12/27/2020, 09:32 AM

Nothing listed on the bag for strength.
It is anhydrous, food grade powder with no additives so my guess 100%.

Dr RBG · 12/27/2020, 01:24 PM

Thanks, I will give it a go

Tastee · 12/28/2020, 12:27 AM

I use 1 tbsp (15 g) per cup (250 ml) of water. Using warm or hot water speeds up the process a little.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Oldreeferman · 12/28/2020, 06:56 PM

Does it work as quickly as straight vinegar? I use vinegar on all non electrical stuff and am curious for in tank powerheads parts etc.

12/24/2020, 10:08 AM	#1
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	At this moment my skimmer is running in vinegar... ..which is what you do it for built-up crud. Good old white uncomplicated vinegar, cheaper in bulk from Costco or Sam's. Remember, if you have a pump that needs a cleaning, a piece of gear crudded beyond recognition in that white or pink stuff (coralline can be a plague) an overnight bath in vinegar with the motor running can clean it. It can also remove lime from your shower. Or clear your spray heads. It dissolves calcium carbonate (the white stuff.) Just a useful tidbit for the future. Your gear is too new new unless you bought used, and then it can be majorly useful. It's also relatively safe: a spoonful into your tank might alter the ph for a bit, but briefly, which makes it a lot safer than other cleaners. __________________ 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%.

12/24/2020, 11:46 AM	#2
taillonjohn Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 753	who often do you do this? is it pure vinegar, or mixed with water? How long do you run it in vinegar for? an hour? overnight? Thanks in advance __________________ John

12/24/2020, 12:29 PM	#3
Vinny Kreyling Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Miller Place, NY Posts: 7,206	Straight vinegar 10minutes, NO MORE. Vinegar can degrade the insulation that makes the pump impervious to water. Citric acid is the new go to for safe cleaning now. __________________ 250 gallon mixed reef, 2 Reefbreeder's Photon V 2, Deepwater BLDC 12, DAS EX-3 Skimmer, MTC mini cal, 2-3/4" Sea Swirls, Aquacontroller & 6 Tunze pumps.

12/24/2020, 02:27 PM	#4
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Thanks, Vinny. Always glad to hear an improvement. __________________ 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%.

12/27/2020, 09:32 AM	#6
Vinny Kreyling Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Miller Place, NY Posts: 7,206	Nothing listed on the bag for strength. It is anhydrous, food grade powder with no additives so my guess 100%. __________________ 250 gallon mixed reef, 2 Reefbreeder's Photon V 2, Deepwater BLDC 12, DAS EX-3 Skimmer, MTC mini cal, 2-3/4" Sea Swirls, Aquacontroller & 6 Tunze pumps.

12/27/2020, 01:24 PM	#7
Dr RBG Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: New England Posts: 163	Thanks Thanks, I will give it a go

12/28/2020, 12:27 AM	#8
Tastee Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 277	I use 1 tbsp (15 g) per cup (250 ml) of water. Using warm or hot water speeds up the process a little. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

12/28/2020, 06:56 PM	#9
Oldreeferman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: NW Indiana Valparaiso Posts: 505	Does it work as quickly as straight vinegar? I use vinegar on all non electrical stuff and am curious for in tank powerheads parts etc. __________________ Montipora Digitas, Cyphastrea, Blastos, different Leptoseris, Green Stylo, GSP, gorgonions, Ricordea mushrooms, psammocoras, Birdsnest coral, Clownfish, Watchman goby, Royal gamma. Current Tank Info: Nano Reef tank