Vinegar

[mad_dog01]

Has anyone used vineger for cleaning skimmers.....someone told me you could do this to get the deposits out of a skimmer to keep it efficient. If this is the case how do i use it to get the internal components cleaned up....ie....fill bucket with water and put how much vinegar in?

[charlie]

Has anyone used vineger for cleaning skimmers.....someone told me you could do this to get the deposits out of a skimmer to keep it efficient. If this is the case how do i use it to get the internal components cleaned up....ie....fill bucket with water and put how much vinegar in?

I do about once a month. Don't ask me for a measurement tho! I just let it soak for about 1/2 hour and rinse really well.

[Reefland]

Vinegar is really good for cleaning equipment. I have always poured 1/2 gallon on vinegar in the sink, filled it the rest of the way with warm water and let equipment soak in it for about an hour and then using a toothbrush to scrub everything clean.

[mad_dog01]

Thanks all for the info....cleaned all my powerheads and skimmer. The skimmer is pulling alot more out of the water now.....was definately slowing down. I had only cleaned the skimmer with hot water before...so naturally calcium was probally built up in it. Figure that by doing this on a monthly basis should keep all running good!

[Reefland]

This is especially helpful for powerheads and pumps.

[charlie]

Thanks all for the info....cleaned all my powerheads and skimmer. The skimmer is pulling alot more out of the water now.....was definately slowing down. I had only cleaned the skimmer with hot water before...so naturally calcium was probally built up in it. Figure that by doing this on a monthly basis should keep all running good!

I bet it increased your skimmers performance by about 50%. I had an old hang on Remora Pro, and i couldn't believe what happened when I cleaned it. Good stuff, maybe we should buy stock in a vinegar company huh???

[Poseidon]

Or how about.... "Charlie's protein Skimmer Cleaner" market that stuff!

[charlie]

Or how about.... "Charlie's protein Skimmer Cleaner" market that stuff!

Have you seen the pic in the best of the best, with the dog? That will be my logo.

[The R/C Man]

Just as a side note to cleaning the pumps with vinegar: Before re-installing the magnet into the pump housing smear a thin coat of 100% silicon grease (toxic free) (or Vaseline) over it. This will not allow calcium and other deposits to adhere to it making it a "wipe off" cleaning task........

[almostdiva]

OK Guys,

I have some small powerheads I use to create movement in my top off and new SW buckets. They're a little glunky. So -- I did a search and found this thread.

I just soak them in water/vinegar? Then rinse really well? Do I need to turn the little buggers on and run the vinegar through them? If I do that how much rinsing is required?

thanks in advance and looking forward to clean powerheads!

Rebecca

[charlie]

Hey Rebecca. either way is fine. I run my salt mixing powerheads in vinegar/water solution for about a day, once a month, then just rinse them really well in hot water. Clean away!!!!!!!!!!!

[Poseidon]

I find about 50/50 Vinegar and Warm Water works best. Lots and Lots and Rinsing!!!!

[almostdiva]

charlie and Mike,

Thanks so much! Guess what I'm doing this weekend??? !

Rebecca

[charlie]

Just like the rest of us Rebecca, you need a life.

[Zoanuts]

Vinager is a wonderful goodie. Great for many things in the reef world. Cleaning lowering pH
If you want something that will clean even faster use muriatic acid which can be bought at the pool place or wally mart. Just use in a well ventilated area. Learned by example

[FireEater]

I also use White Vinegar with my Mrs. Wages Pickling Lime for a calcium drip. The Vinegar draws more calcium into the solution that I drip.

[charlie]

I have heard of doing that. How much vinegar to kalk are you using?

[FireEater]

I use a 2 1/2 gallon container, I add about 5 to 6 heaping teaspoons of Mrs. Wages and 1/4 cup of vinegar.

It also has an effect on PH as it can lower it but I do not think 1/4 cup will make a difference in my large system.

[charlie]

If 1/4 cup isn't going to affect your 125, just think about my 300!!!! If you haven't noticed any problems, I think you are good to go. Do you do it everytime you fill the jug?

[FireEater]

Yes and I try to drip at least 5 gallons a weeks. I have two setups. I run a calcium reactor also.

When I am not being lazy, I drip 24/7.