cleaning
- Thread starter rayn
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OP
OP
rayn
Bluefin Believer
Okay, isnt muratic acid what we would use to acid wash the rock? So I would need gloves for sure. This tank is in the house already too, so if the acid has fumes, it is a no go there.
a6walter1
Active Member
Well the other thing you could do is take the tank off the stand, and lay it with the side you want to clean on the ground, and pour a water/vinegar solution 1/2" thick and let it sit for a few hours and let the vinegar do its work, then tip the tank back up the right way and wipe it all down.
I think you have some chemistry mixed up there...
Vinegar is dilute acetic acid. Muriatic is another name for Hydrochloric acid.
They are very different things.
The most common vinegar - Distilled White - is around 5% acetic acid. It's a fairly good cleaning agent and is very safe - you can eat it and you can dose it in your tank.
Muriatic acid is very different. It's very corrosive and not safe for either human or aquatic life.
So, if you find that vinegar, hot water, and elbow grease won't cut it - you can look to something like muriatic acid, but be sure to handle it properly.
a6walter1
Active Member
Much appreciated, I am totally wrong. Acetic Acid was what I was looking for, Muratic Acid is used to clean driveways and garage floors and such, and yes, very corrosive. I'm an electrical engineer, so chemistry was not my strong suit lol.
A gallon jug of distilled white vinegar is less than $2 at the grocery or WalMart.
Lay the tank on its back, soak an old bath towel or some rags in vinegar and lay them over the area you want cleaned keeping them wetted.
Do the same for each side and the front and it will come out looking like new with little to no elbow grease required.
I use the vinegar undiluted so it is full strength, when you dilute it you alter the pH so it is not as effective. For small jobs like powerheads I pour some in a small bucket or container deep enough to immerse the disassembled parts, soak an hour then strain the big chunks out and pour the vinegar back in the jug reusing it ove rand over until the pH is such that it is no longer effective. Cheap, effortless cleaning and safer than acids or caustics.
Lay the tank on its back, soak an old bath towel or some rags in vinegar and lay them over the area you want cleaned keeping them wetted.
Do the same for each side and the front and it will come out looking like new with little to no elbow grease required.
I use the vinegar undiluted so it is full strength, when you dilute it you alter the pH so it is not as effective. For small jobs like powerheads I pour some in a small bucket or container deep enough to immerse the disassembled parts, soak an hour then strain the big chunks out and pour the vinegar back in the jug reusing it ove rand over until the pH is such that it is no longer effective. Cheap, effortless cleaning and safer than acids or caustics.
SeahorseKeeper
Where's the mysis?
+1. This is what I have done to clean out my used tanks. It worked quite well and minimal extra effort was involved.
OP
OP
rayn
Bluefin Believer
I may have to modify your technique. I don't really have the ability to take the tank off the stand again...easily. Maybe I will soak the towels and drape them over the back, could that work too? I suppose for the overflows I could cap them off and then fill them with vinegar and let sit, drain and wipe out.
Go to Home depot or lowes. In one of the painting isles they have 5 inch razor bladed with a plastic handle. It's a kit with a small one also but I don't use that one since it has brass on the knob. I'm surprised more people don't use them instead of those tiny razors or a not so sharp scraper.
bairdimusprime
Bill
Vinegar is the ultimate cleaner!
SantaMonicaHelp
Valuable Member
There are a lot of good inputs here, hope you can clean your tank nicely
--sophie
--sophie
I've used acetone to clean a tank before, but it was a 72 bow, so I was able to manuver it around myself. I probably wouldn't go the acetone route in the house or if you don't have the ability to rinse the tank well many times. It is much easier if you are able to lay the tank down.
When cleaning some of my home brewing equipment I'll use bit vinegar. Heat it up in the microwave, don't breath the steam, it burns a bit. If it is in an open container, don't hold the container in front of you wipe walking, that's usually sufficient to avoid I having the vapors. A spray bottle may help as well. Spray every once in a while to keep the glass wet while you are working on it. Use the razor first and finish it up with the magic eraser, those things are amazing.
When cleaning some of my home brewing equipment I'll use bit vinegar. Heat it up in the microwave, don't breath the steam, it burns a bit. If it is in an open container, don't hold the container in front of you wipe walking, that's usually sufficient to avoid I having the vapors. A spray bottle may help as well. Spray every once in a while to keep the glass wet while you are working on it. Use the razor first and finish it up with the magic eraser, those things are amazing.
