how to clean equipment that has sat long term

[reef tank 2.0]

when i tore down my last tank, i kept all the equipment that I was able to reuse for this new tank. the equipment has sat for a good 4 years, unused. i read that you can use a white vinegar/water mix to let the equipment soak. on the other hand, i have read, and been told, that the white vinegar can damage the o-rings/seals in the pumps, skimmers, etc. SO, what is the best way to clean this equipment without damaging anything? I would certainly like to avoid having to dismantle anything down till its in a bazillion pieces, just for cleaning. can this easily be done by letting the equipment run in a "water mixture"?

 

[GARRIGA]

Citric acid what I would use

 

[Gtinnel]

I generally use citric acid or diluted muriatic acid. Either work better than vinegar IME.

 

[mfinn]

The go to product these days is citric acid which can be bought on amazon.
FWIW I've used vinegar for decades with no visible damage to anything.
Vinegar suddenly became a villain when a long thread was started about the damage vinegar does to Vortec MP pump wet sides.
Wasn't long after that, this damage was applied to everything under the sun.
I still use vinegar for cleaning many things if I don't have citric acid.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I use vinegar regularly, it works faster than citric acid and good for scrubbing. But don't soak things in vinegar, thats where you get problems, it dries out rubber and plastic so they crack later on