hardened sodium bicarb

GSnake · Dec 18, 2020

not exactly reef related.... but i have some what is likely sodium bicarbonate hardened onto this mesh device i use in my freshwater tank, the sodium bicarbonate i add from my mbuna tank likely clogged up the mesh and im trying to find a way to clean in between the holes

is there a solution to help dissolve whats inbetween the mesh holes, it was in vinegar and then CLR earlier, but neither was able to dissolve it very well, i cant boil it either cause theres plastic housing around the mesh. (fyi its a chiros doctor device, i want to reuse the mesh by cleaning it).

thanks for any suggestions!

Doctorgori · Dec 19, 2020

weird vinegar should work given enough time ...
could go nuclear with muratic acid or go with less megatons using critic acid

Randy Holmes-Farley · Dec 19, 2020

I agree. I'd have to believe it is a carbonate salt and acid should work.

How long did you soak in vinegar? That is a relatively slow process.

Muriatic acid from a hardware store diluted 1 part acid in 10 parts water will be much faster to dissolve calcium or magnesium carbonate because the pH is much lower. Be careful not to get it on yourself or especially not in your eyes.

Citric acid is a good choice from a safety perspective

GSnake · Dec 20, 2020

it worked, but needed about an hour to see an effect. 20mins wasnt enough.
do you suggest citric acid over vinegar? is it safer in reefing?

Randy Holmes-Farley · Dec 21, 2020

Citric acid can be made more concentrated and a lower pH than vinegar, so it works faster. Complexation of the calcium by the citrate may also speed up the process.