Back after a long hiatus

[Mike Seltenright]

I am preparing to set mt my 46 gal bow front. I need to scrape the
inside of the tank, looks like most of my equipment has survived 2+
years of storage. My 175w MH fired right up YAY! I'll go ahead and put
a new bulb in anyway, it's probably 9 months old.

My worst problem is going to be my Red Sea Berlin hang on skimmer...
The in side is badly encrusted with old coralline algae, tube worm
tubes and salt. My first impulse is to run down to the hardware store
and grab a jug of muratic acid. I know that's not really a good idea,
but it will be at least 30 to 60 days before I'm ready to even mix a
batch of salt water.

My other thought is (I am a refrigeration tech) commercial ice
machine cleaner. It made to be used in restaurants, is NSF approved
for use in restaurant, and on food contact surfaces, it is designed to
rinse away easily and completely. It does one heck of a job removing
calcium deposits. I know white vinegar will work, but how long, and
how thoroughly? Baking soda can be used to neutralize any remaining
acid, and if i wanted to I could flush water through it for a month
before I'll need it.

What are your thoughts?

On another note here any really earth shattering things happen in the
reef keeping world in that last 2 years?

Thanks,

Mike

[Marc Levenson]

I bought a used Aqua C Ev-200. I stuck the entire encrusted thing in a 6g
bucket (love Kent's Sea Salt!) with super hot water and 1/2 gal white vinegar.
It soaked overnight, and the next day I got busy cleaning it in the sink. I
looked brand new when I was done. :D

Marc


Mike Seltenright wrote:

> I am preparing to set mt my 46 gal bow front. I need to scrape the
> inside of the tank, looks like most of my equipment has survived 2+
> years of storage. My 175w MH fired right up YAY! I'll go ahead and put
> a new bulb in anyway, it's probably 9 months old.
>
> My worst problem is going to be my Red Sea Berlin hang on skimmer...
> The in side is badly encrusted with old coralline algae, tube worm
> tubes and salt. My first impulse is to run down to the hardware store
> and grab a jug of muratic acid. I know that's not really a good idea,
> but it will be at least 30 to 60 days before I'm ready to even mix a
> batch of salt water.
>
> My other thought is (I am a refrigeration tech) commercial ice
> machine cleaner. It made to be used in restaurants, is NSF approved
> for use in restaurant, and on food contact surfaces, it is designed to
> rinse away easily and completely. It does one heck of a job removing
> calcium deposits. I know white vinegar will work, but how long, and
> how thoroughly? Baking soda can be used to neutralize any remaining
> acid, and if i wanted to I could flush water through it for a month
> before I'll need it.
>
> What are your thoughts?
>
> On another note here any really earth shattering things happen in the
> reef keeping world in that last 2 years?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Mike

--
Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

[Marco Qualizza]

Is using muriatic (hydrochloric) acid really that big of a problem? My
chemistry is fairly weak, but won't you be safe after a good rinse?


In article >, Mike
Seltenright <> says...
> I am preparing to set mt my 46 gal bow front. I need to scrape the
> inside of the tank, looks like most of my equipment has survived 2+
> years of storage. My 175w MH fired right up YAY! I'll go ahead and put
> a new bulb in anyway, it's probably 9 months old.
>
> My worst problem is going to be my Red Sea Berlin hang on skimmer...
> The in side is badly encrusted with old coralline algae, tube worm
> tubes and salt. My first impulse is to run down to the hardware store
> and grab a jug of muratic acid. I know that's not really a good idea,
> but it will be at least 30 to 60 days before I'm ready to even mix a
> batch of salt water.
>
> My other thought is (I am a refrigeration tech) commercial ice
> machine cleaner. It made to be used in restaurants, is NSF approved
> for use in restaurant, and on food contact surfaces, it is designed to
> rinse away easily and completely. It does one heck of a job removing
> calcium deposits. I know white vinegar will work, but how long, and
> how thoroughly? Baking soda can be used to neutralize any remaining
> acid, and if i wanted to I could flush water through it for a month
> before I'll need it.
>
> What are your thoughts?
>
> On another note here any really earth shattering things happen in the
> reef keeping world in that last 2 years?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Mike
>

--
7y FW -- 33g & 55g
100 gallon reef-ready air tank. (Converting to reef)