Citric Acid

[TK_KW]

So, I use it to clean pumps etc. But the question is,

Can I run citric acid in my salt water reservoir to clean in? Say a mix ran for some hours, then dumped and flushed.

Will this have any adverse affect on my next batch of pre mixed salt water?

 

[happysalt]

I like citric acid and have used it in my reservoir before to clean it out. I just used it at a lower Concentration and rinsed it out twice before reusing.

So, I use it to clean pumps etc. But the question is,

Can I run citric acid in my salt water reservoir to clean in? Say a mix ran for some hours, then dumped and flushed.

Will this have any adverse affect on my next batch of pre mixed salt water?

 

[ZoWhat]

I use food grade 5% vinegar

 

[mfinn]

If you rinse it, it should be fine.

After all the publicity over the vinegar eating certain types of plastic over time, I decided ( decades long vinegar user) to give citric acid a try and it does clean very well.
I also found it easier to store and it is cheaper in my area.

 

[Jseimo]

the biggest draw back I can think of is if there is any residual it could cause your ph to drop a touch

 

[mfinn]

the biggest draw back I can think of is if there is any residual it could cause your ph to drop a touch

edit:
I should have said, it's important to rinse everything well with any type of cleaner.

 

[Admann]

I have used citric acid exclusively for some time now. You should always triple rinse. Good example, I have XF230s that have been in continuous service since Dec. 2018, no failures, never disassembled. To clean, just turn off, drop in bucket (use the magnet), run 15 minutes, run in freshwater bucket 5 minutes, refreshing the water twice. Turn off, back in tank.

In you case, I would make the citric acid solution, wipe it down, and rinse it out. Easy Peasy

 

[redfishbluefish]

CItric acid, vinegar, muriatic acid......one or two rinses and you'll be fine. Even if there is slight residual remaining, the dilution factor is so great, it won't matter.

 

[chadg]

I'm looking to clean out my 65 gal salt mix tank also. It has a good amount of brown 'crud' buildup on the sides. What do you use for citric acid? I had purchased a small thing of the Tunze for pumps, but that was really $$$. Is that any different than the food grade I see on Amazon that is much cheaper? Let's say the Amazon food grade is good. How much would be enough to fill the 65 gal and let it soak for a bit?

 

[TK_KW]

I'm looking to clean out my 65 gal salt mix tank also. It has a good amount of brown 'crud' buildup on the sides. What do you use for citric acid? I had purchased a small thing of the Tunze for pumps, but that was really $$$. Is that any different than the food grade I see on Amazon that is much cheaper? Let's say the Amazon food grade is good. How much would be enough to fill the 65 gal and let it soak for a bit?

I personally just add 50g of fresh water.to my salt mix. Add about 3-4 cups of citric acid. Run for 24 hours. Then dump, rinse, fill with fresh water again. Dump again. And good to go. Come out super clean everytime

 

[blackstallion]

I personally just add 50g of fresh water.to my salt mix. Add about 3-4 cups of citric acid. Run for 24 hours. Then dump, rinse, fill with fresh water again. Dump again. And good to go. Come out super clean everytime

Sorry for resurrecting this old thread. Do you use 50g of RO/DI or just tap water mixed with Citric Acid? I'm planning on cleaning out my 60g mixing station container but I'm deciding whether RO/DI or tap water would work.

 

[TK_KW]

Sorry for resurrecting this old thread. Do you use 50g of RO/DI or just tap water mixed with Citric Acid? I'm planning on cleaning out my 60g mixing station container but I'm deciding whether RO/DI or tap water would work.

Just tap water