Cheap DIY Alternative to Vinegar for cleaning equipment

[DMan]

Great topic.

 

[anthonywesty]

7 ounces of muriatic acid in 1 gallon of water. Works fast and no damage to the pumps. I been doing this for years and the pumps still working great.

 

[Crotalus]

I don't think anyone has mentioned yet that Citric Acid is Vitamin C.
I'm about to try it on my Gyres for the first time right now. I bought a plastic container so I can run the pump without disassembly.

 

[samnaz]

1.5 gal jug of white vinegar is $2 at Costco.

 

[andywe]

For tanks and no metal parts I spray muriatic acid. Cleans a tank in 10 minutes and is neutralized with water.

 

[JVU]

I don't think anyone has mentioned yet that Citric Acid is Vitamin C.
I'm about to try it on my Gyres for the first time right now. I bought a plastic container so I can run the pump without disassembly.

Vitamin C is ascorbic acid, which is different than citric acid.

 

[JVU]

I’ve switched to citric acid, 1 cup granules per gallon, and am very happy with the change. It keeps about a week before starting to grow mold and needing to be thrown out In my experience.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Thanks but I'm pretty sure muriatic acid would have to be extremely diluted to be as gentle as vinegar etc.

Vinegar isn't cheap when you rip through it like I do.

The dilution is complicated to compare exactly (easy to get the same initial pH, but then the muriatic acid gets depleted much faster).

anyway, I think muriatic acid diluted into 10 parts fresh water is good. Faster and cheaper than vinegar.

 

[LobsterOfJustice]

I already have sodium bisulfate on hand for lowering alkalinity of my fresh mixed saltwater - could I make a cleaning solution out of this?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Yes, that will work.

 

[Crotalus]

Vitamin C is ascorbic acid, which is different than citric acid.

OK, but they both come from lemons.

 

[VBMike]

Thanks for bumping this old thread... I laugh when I think that this thread very possibly started the citric acid trend going on now. You're welcome, @Bulk Reef Supply! Hahaha