Tank shut down cleaning questions??????

[malira]

I'm shutting down my son's tank after 7 yrs. I'd like to clean the tank before I sell it. It's a 90 gl with a 35 gl in the sump right now.

I'm thinking of putting vinegar in the tank before I drain it, of the saltwater, to clean it. Let it run for a few hours clean off any coralline or other incrusted stuff. Let it do its magic on the skimmer.

1. I'm wondering since it's about 130 gallons of water how much vinegar would I need to be effective? I have 4 gallons of vinegar.
2. Is there a Saltwater/vinegar reaction I need to worry about?
3. Should I just use weak power washer?
4. What did you do?

Any suggestions would be appreciated

 

[Ron Reefman]

vinegar is already pretty diluted. IMHO cutting it even 1:1 with water makes it too weak. Go to the hardware store and get a few gallons of muriatic acid which is the same strength as vinegar when cut 10:1.

Better yet, empty the tank and use the vinegar and a bit of elbow grease.

 

[sharpimage]

Empty the salt water, remove sand and rocks. Fill with garden hose. 4 gallons should be fine. Let it run for a few days and drain. Finished and safe

 

[vetteguy53081]

I have always successfully used freshwater from a hose and cleaned it with a sparkle.
Its important to do it right away and not allow tank to dry as it will become true labor to clean it

 

[malira]

vinegar is already pretty diluted. IMHO cutting it even 1:1 with water makes it too weak. Go to the hardware store and get a few gallons of muriatic acid which is the same strength as vinegar when cut 10:1.

Better yet, empty the tank and use the vinegar and a bit of elbow grease.

Have you ever used a power washer?

 

[malira]

I have always successfully used freshwater from a hose and cleaned it with a sparkle.
Its important to do it right away and not allow tank to dry as it will become true labor to clean it

Have you ever used a power washer?

 

[malira]

Empty the salt water, remove sand and rocks. Fill with garden hose. 4 gallons should be fine. Let it run for a few days and drain. Finished and safe

Have you ever used a power washer?

 

[Ron Reefman]

No, and I wouldn't.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Have you ever used a power washer?

I wouldnt even attempt to due to possible water pressure impact

 

[malira]

Somehow this thread got double posted so I found out citric acid would be my best bet. I didn't even know it was a thing. I've been using vinegar all these years to clean. I going to give this a try. Spray the effected area and then put soaked paper towels over it to keep it wet. And just keep spraying to keep it soaked.