Cleaning with Vinegar

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by michika

I find using warm, but not hot water works best as well. It just seems to soften up coraline, but not remove it when the water is really hot.

Catherine, heat only accelerates the reaction, but yes, it does speed it up. Basically you're creating an acid/base reation, the more acid (stronger vinegar) the quicker it happens. heat helps the reaction. Which is also the reason for my comment about lots of coraline, too much base and there isn't enough acid to complete the reaction, so you get left with white patches. Add more acid, the reation continues.

Steve, I understand that pure vinegar could eventually damage seals(rubber ones, not furry ones), oe was it bleach? Either way, I don't use pure vinegar because of this, and hell, it's 3 bucks a jug!

[Lance]

I use a 50/50 water & vinegar mix. I reuse it about 3 times before I throw it out.

[Tom R]

Vinegar is pretty cheap at COSTCO. You get 2 hugh bottles for $3 or $4.

Tom R

[fkshiu]

I use pure vinegar and soak for a few hours. I re-use it a few times as well. It doesn't lose its potency, but neither did my wife when she almost used a bit of the cleaning vinegar in her cooking. Sheeesh, coralline is just a bit of calcium - it's good for you!

[Trigger Man]

Thanks everyone for all the great responses.

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

oe was it bleach? Either way, I don't use pure vinegar because of this, and hell, it's 3 bucks a jug!

yup, its bleach. I just have a 5 gal bucket with a tight fitting lid (one for making wine) and I keep reusing it, probably get a years worth of cleaning for 15 bucks

Steve

[buddyreefer]

can u use vinegar to clean powerheads with hair algae growing on it, and how much ratio don't want to eat any seals or rubber.???

[Rbacchiega]

Good ol' Vinegar....no longer just for my fries!

I also use a 10 to 1 ratio, but might start going with more potent mixes as well. I'm very impatient

[mark]

guess somethings wrong in my tank as never find a build-up when I pull my pumps apart other than a thin slime coating.