BrianB Posted October 1, 2010 Share Posted October 1, 2010 What does vinegar do exactly when used as a cleaning agent? I have some stuff I wanna soak and clean but all I have in the cupboard is white vinegar. What's the ratio to water that most use like 10 to 1 or? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impur Posted October 1, 2010 Share Posted October 1, 2010 Vinegar is an acid, so it breaks down oils, grease, mineral deposits and film really easily. For our tanks, CaCO3(calcium carbonate) dissolves in vinegar as c2h4o2(acetic acid)vinegar as a chemical change occur which turn the calcium carbonate to calcium acetate. It ionizes the Calcium molecules so that they are free to break away I use about 1-2 cups per gallon. White vinegar is fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dsoz Posted October 1, 2010 Share Posted October 1, 2010 Very nice explain job... There are some details that are not exact, but the general idea is sound. Don't forget that the carbonate is turned into carbonic acid at the same time that the calcium acetate is formed. It does not "ionize the calcium molecules." A better way to say it would be "dissociates the calcium containing molecule making it soluble in water." But only a chemist (or chemistry teacher) would know or care about the differences... dsoz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coralreefer Posted October 1, 2010 Share Posted October 1, 2010 Yea, like Dennis said, "But only a chemist (or chemistry teacher) would know or care about the differences..." LOL DrMerle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jennmac415 Posted October 1, 2010 Share Posted October 1, 2010 If I am in a real hurry to clean a powerhead or pump... I have been known to soak in 100% white vinegar...after an hour or so any coralline algae just falls away... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackaninny Posted October 1, 2010 Share Posted October 1, 2010 Could assume that rising in RODI water after cleaning is a good idea? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impur Posted October 1, 2010 Share Posted October 1, 2010 Could assume that rising in RODI water after cleaning is a good idea? Yep, but vinegar won't hurt your tank. At least that minimal amount. Some people even dose vinegar, or add it with kalk to their topoff water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimmyK Posted October 1, 2010 Share Posted October 1, 2010 I use straight vinegar but keep an eye on things soaking. Hit the rough areas with a tooth brush to speed things up.Quick rinse and its good to go. I keep a few gallons around all the time very handy... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beckie Posted October 2, 2010 Share Posted October 2, 2010 Thanks Doz, I really won't remember it much like your students..... but I do remember it works Beckie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianB Posted October 3, 2010 Author Share Posted October 3, 2010 Can vinegar be used to clean off metal from a old reflector or will it affect the metal in any way? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impur Posted October 3, 2010 Share Posted October 3, 2010 I would dilute it with water, and be sure to run a damp FW rag over it after the vinegar rag, then dry it with a clean towl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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