Citric Acid Concentration for Cleaning...?

[Clanger]

All the citric acid I'm finding says food grade ,is this strong enough ??

 

[fishface NJ]

All the citric acid I'm finding says food grade ,is this strong enough ??

yes that is what you want

 

[Clanger]

yes that is what you want

Many thanks , I just thought it may be a diluted version for human use is all ,I shall get some bought cheers

 

[williamCreery]

Hi Randy- citric acid has piqued my interest as a means of soaking/cleaning pumps, skimmers, etc. because I don't care for the smell of vinegar and I'm scared for my kids and pets around muratic acid.

It looks like it may actually be cheaper than vinegar, too... here's 5lbs for $14 on Amazon Prime: Amazon product ASIN B000OZFECU
To achieve a similar acidity to vinegar, how much of this stuff do I mix with water? Do I just dump it in and mix it?

Thanks!

:)

I would avoid vinegar at all cost, it will indeed dry the silicon and crack it. Huge no no.
I would go Soap with microfiber towel, and most definitely a spray bottle of this stuff

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/pump...xDR3YQaujIg83WSfDqh4HeaJ9l_0LP84aAvQWEALw_wcB
for very very hard to remove things like barnacles from the back glass, etc..

 

[SteveMM62Reef]

I use this brand, because it comes in a nice jar. I set my Alarm Timer on my Phone and run the Pump for Five Minutes. In as little water as possible, with the Citric Acid. This way I avoid taking the Pump apart. Amazon product ASIN B07Y25JM9S

 

[Derrick0580]

In case you were wondering, citric acid is what they use to make sour patch kids and other sour stuff “sour”

 

[Luky]

I just got a 5lbs bag for $20 on amazon. Got my hygger gyre pump running in a couple of gallons now. Mixed 1 cup powder per gallon.

Amazon product ASIN B000OZFECU

 

[BZOFIQ]

I have a bucket with 2 gallons of the solution that I just re-use and store sealed when not in use. I don't dump it until it get's absolutely filthy.

I pre-mixe 1/2 pound of citric acid to a gallon of RODI or little over a pound to half a bucket; 2+ gallons

Cleaning while the solution is warm helps too but not totally necessary. If your pump or powerhead is flowing the solution - that helps too.

I too use Miliards Food Grade Citric Acid off Amazon because it's way cheaper than BRS

You can get it here.

 

[jccaclimber]

Does it mold on you? I’ve left mine around before but it starts growing stuff very quickly.

 

[BZOFIQ]

Does it mold on you? I’ve left mine around before but it starts growing stuff very quickly.

No, I keep it outside under the balcony in a dark bucket - no issues.

Did you add enough? I feel most people make very weak solution.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

The more you add, the faster it will clean, and the longer it will clean before being depleted.

 

[jccaclimber]

No, I keep it outside under the balcony in a dark bucket - no issues.

Did you add enough? I feel most people make very weak solution.

I’d guess 10% by volume, but it was eyeball and a small container. I’ll have to try keeping it in the dark next time.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

When I dissolved 10 year old calcium carbonate deposits in my 120 gallon aquarium in the garage, I used a pretty weak solution since making a 10% solution would be very expensive for 120 gallons. I just let it stir for a number of days.

 

[BZOFIQ]

When I dissolved 10 year old calcium carbonate deposits in my 120 gallon aquarium in the garage, I used a pretty weak solution since making a 10% solution would be very expensive for 120 gallons. I just let it stir for a number of days.

Or you can use stronger solution and soak bounty sheets then stick it to the glass panes.