How do I dissolve precipitate?

[Mark9]

have some in a filter sponge, vinegar didn't touch it.
How can I dissolve?

 

[Tautog]

Try soaking in a bucket of R/O, it should clean up
And there's always a new filter, and don't do that again
Stuff happens

 

[Mark9]

Had it soaking for a couple days after the vinegar, no effect.

 

[Tautog]

Had it soaking for a couple days after the vinegar, no effect.

Is the filter compromised? Or just white? I'm trying to figure out how you did this? Do you add directly to a high flow area slowly, or did you dump it in the sump?

 

[tjnorthdakota]

This might sound weird but try soaking it in orange soda, basically what you have limestone and carbonic acid eats limestone hence why calcium reactors work. Acid in pop I believe is the same type. Otherwise if you have a calcium reactor could throw it in there also

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Full strength vinegar for 2 days? Did any of it dissolve away?

If not, then it isn't calcium carbonate, but something else.

 

[Mark9]

Both the calcium and alk drip above that sponge, albeit, not at the same time.
Calcium during the day, alk at night.
The sponge is fully immersed by a good 5" of water.
This is a red sea tank, hence the sponge to protect the return pump.
There's not alot of room back there to put the dosing lines.
I did a 50/50 water/vinegar.
I'll buy some more vinegar and go 100% for a couple days.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Yes, vinegar is weak so 100% is the way, or diluted muriatic acid, which is much faster.

 

[GoVols]

have some in a filter sponge, vinegar didn't touch it.
How can I dissolve?

Just curious...
Are those sponges from a Red Sea S Series?

 

[Myka]

This is a red sea tank, hence the sponge to protect the return pump.

Most people don't use sponges to "protect the return pump" in their standard setups. Is there something in particular with the Red Sea system that requires the pump to have protection? I see the sponge as a great place for detritus and other junk to collect and possibly contribute to a nitrate issue for your tank. Do you really need to sponge?

 

[GoVols]

Most people don't use sponges to "protect the return pump" in their standard setups. Is there something in particular with the Red Sea system that requires the pump to have protection? I see the sponge as a great place for detritus and other junk to collect and possibly contribute to a nitrate issue for your tank. Do you really need to sponge?

Which red sea tank model?

 

[Myka]

Which red sea tank model?

You'll have to ask the OP.

I see you have an S-400, does it have a sponge too? Is there any real purpose for it?

 

[GoVols]

You'll have to ask the OP.

I see you have an S-400, does it have a sponge too? Is there any real purpose for it?

Yes, They were the mechanical filtration for the S Series.

I have the 2013 model so the sponges were the mechanical filtration for over flow pipes in the sump. I dumped them and run the Red Sea 220 mesh nylon sock now.

The S Series has no sponges to protect the main pump.

If you can see the two gray down pipes to the back right. That was where the sponges went.

 

[GoVols]

have some in a filter sponge, vinegar didn't touch it.
How can I dissolve?

Do you have to use the sponges?
If you can convert over to filter socks, you'll will be much happier.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

I had a dosing cup that was crusted with precipitate and wouldn't come off easy. I started dosing Magnesium with the same cup and all the precipitate came off. That's an expensive cleaning agent though.

 

[GoVols]

I had a dosing cup that was crusted with precipitate and wouldn't come off easy. I started dosing Magnesium with the same cup and all the precipitate came off. That's an expensive cleaning agent though.

 

[GoVols]

@revhtree
On the picture in the above post .
Can you see the precipitation on the front left side and bottom of my sump?

 

[Mark9]

Which red sea tank model?

An old RSM250

 

[Mark9]

Yes, vinegar is weak so 100% is the way, or diluted muriatic acid, which is much faster.

A couple hours in 100% vinegar did the trick, thanks.

 

[GoVols]

An old RSM250

I used to run one of them. So filter sock is out.
First thing I did back then was dump the factory skimmer and put in the Deltec MC500.
If the sponges are causing you problems, I used to call RS in Texas to order new ones before changing over to filter socks on my s 400.
I can't believe the vinegar didn't do the job.