[MonopolyBag]

My friend mentioned using vinegar to clean equipment. Is this a good idea? He said mix some Vinegar with RO water. We were talking about removing algae and grime off of old pumps and stuff.

And if this is good, then why this over bleach? IMO the vinegar is easier to work with and less harmful.

[BLKBRDTA]

Yes, vinegar and RO/DI water can work, some report success and others have a tough time with it. I guess it really depends on the amount of buildup on the walls. Anyways, yes it is safe, just rinse it real good afterwards. No bleach.

[jimw369]

Straight vinegar works OK...Heat the vinegar up it works GOOD...vinegar in a bucket with a power head works even BETTER!

What little bit of residue is left on equipment wont hurt anything. Just a little rinse and go is fine.

[MonopolyBag]

BLKBRDTA you make it sounds like you are refering to use inside an aquarium wall. I would NEVER use bleach there. Even in empty tank, cuz the silicon may not wash off easily. I was refering to using in a 5 g bucket to soak equipment (pumps and heaters...) thanks.


jimw369, bbtw in your avatar pic, what size is that aquarium?

[jimw369]

Originally Posted by MonopolyBag

BLKBRDTA you make it sounds like you are refering to use inside an aquarium wall. I would NEVER use bleach there. Even in empty tank, cuz the silicon may not wash off easily. I was refering to using in a 5 g bucket to soak equipment (pumps and heaters...) thanks.


jimw369, bbtw in your avatar pic, what size is that aquarium?

Go to my profile and you can see my album there and also stop in at The Reef Group and check out all the cool vids and pics!

Tank is 90 gals.

[BLKBRDTA]

Originally Posted by MonopolyBag

BLKBRDTA you make it sounds like you are refering to use inside an aquarium wall. I would NEVER use bleach there. Even in empty tank, cuz the silicon may not wash off easily. I was refering to using in a 5 g bucket to soak equipment (pumps and heaters...) thanks.


jimw369, bbtw in your avatar pic, what size is that aquarium?

Yea, when I said walls I was going for pumps, hoses, displays, sumps and everything else.. including 5g buckets hahaha. My fault on the unclear statement. Check out The Reef Group, its a nice place, and Jim is a major contributor to all the greatness!

[pogodzib]

I like to soak my equipment in a 50/50 mix of vinegar and hot tap water. There is no need for the water to be RO/DI since it isn't going into your tank and the hot tap water helps the vinegar do it's thing much better than cool water. Yes, bleach does work and can be used as well, depending on what you want to clean, but IMO vinegar is a better choice.

[CyberJester]

You guy's are probably going to drop your jaw's in shock when I say this.

However, I have done it for about 6 months now with no ill effects. I clean equipment that can be removed from the tank and has nothing that can absorb (ex sponges, filter pads, etc...)

I use CLR (Calcium, Lime, Rust) to clean power heads and my skimmer, kalk top off pump, etc....

1st) I mix CLR 50/50 with hot RO water.

2nd) let item stand in CLR for about 15 minutes.

3rd) clean item throughly with tooth brush, no silly not the one I put in my mouth.

4th) Mix Vinegar with Hot water and let Items stand in that for 15 minutes.

5th) clean throughly with tooth brush to remove any remaining CLR.

6th) Rinse I throughly with hot tap water (VERY THROUGHLY TO REMOVING ANY CLR OR VINEGAR REMAINING).

7TH) clean and soak with RO water.

I told you guys you would think I was crazy. Believe me I was very scared to try this at first after all I had read on forums and such. I do go to extensive lengths to make sure there is nothing left on the item though. Also did significant water changes afterward just in case. Works like a charm.

I do not recommend this to the new reefer as almost any chemical in even small amounts can kill your entire reef.

[pogodzib]

I'll stick with chemicals that do the job and you can add directly to a reef tank, such as vinegar, any day over harsh chemicals like CLR. Equipment usually cleans up very good and quickly in vinegar so why would you want to use CLR?

[CyberJester]

Originally Posted by pogodzib

I'll stick with chemicals that do the job and you can add directly to a reef tank, such as vinegar, any day over harsh chemicals like CLR. Equipment usually cleans up very good and quickly in vinegar so why would you want to use CLR?

What made me start using it was trying to get MH lamp glass clean, I tried vinegar, razor blades, nothing would get the film off of them. Then I dipped the lens in CLR, didn't even have to scrub it, just rinsed it off and dried them thoughly. They were as good as new. Which led me to trying it with some other things.

Actually, after using both I would say vinegar cleans equipment decently, the CLR cleans them excellent, with a little scrubing in the CLR even most of the Coraline algae comes off making them look almost new again. I do see your point there is always a risk assoicated with any chemical used around your tank. I just was not satisified with the clean up job of vinegar.

PS: I told you all you would think I was crazy and off my rocker!

[pogodzib]

Originally Posted by CyberJester

PS: I told you all you would think I was crazy and off my rocker!

Yep J/K. All of us to our own crazy things. Most of us just don't tell everyone about those things.