Guest Ahbrit Posted May 7, 2006 Share Posted May 7, 2006 What's the best way of cleaning a skimmer? We tore down angies 46 today and we need to clean this skimmer so we can sell it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael7979 Posted May 7, 2006 Share Posted May 7, 2006 Soak the pump in vinager, and soak the parts in real hot water should get them as clean as needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ahbrit Posted May 7, 2006 Share Posted May 7, 2006 Do i dilute the vinegar? This skimmer isnt big, but it holds at least a gallon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael7979 Posted May 7, 2006 Share Posted May 7, 2006 Yeah I soaked my Euro-Reef pump in a bucket with about a gallon of water and a splash of vinager. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inkto Posted May 7, 2006 Share Posted May 7, 2006 I use vinegar too... a little goes a long way. Bleach is next when it gets really bad at about the same dilution (a 1/4 cup to a gallon?). On skimmers I find it requires good old elbow grease on the brown stuff. I just rub it under hot water with paper towels and whatever tool helps me reach where it needs rubbed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ahbrit Posted May 7, 2006 Share Posted May 7, 2006 scratch ok. i read that last sentence completely wrong !!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inkto Posted May 7, 2006 Share Posted May 7, 2006 What!! Sometimes it hard to reach where it needs rubbed... :p Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R-3 Posted May 7, 2006 Share Posted May 7, 2006 Vinegar works wonders. And a old toothbrush. Later Ryan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ahbrit Posted May 7, 2006 Share Posted May 7, 2006 theres some really tight gaps in certain places on the skimmer. thats why im hoping this vinegar method will work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reefboy Posted May 7, 2006 Share Posted May 7, 2006 I use muric acid (spelling prob wronge) it works great i use one cup per five gal but viniger works as well just with the acid never add water to it always add it to water or it can blow up in your face but other than that safe to use everything looks new. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impur Posted May 8, 2006 Share Posted May 8, 2006 Where do you get the acid? I'm going to need to clean my 55g out good before using it, i know its had copper in it before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ladiebuggy Posted May 8, 2006 Share Posted May 8, 2006 I have heard of peeps using copper in their tanks for disease. Is this effective and safe? Susie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ahbrit Posted May 8, 2006 Share Posted May 8, 2006 DON'T DO IT SUSIE Copper will kill all inverts now and years to come (even after cleaning the tank) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nyles Posted May 8, 2006 Share Posted May 8, 2006 If you can't get to it with a toothbrush after soaking on tight to reach places I usually try adding some coarse grain rock from the tank and shake vigourosly (coated freshwater rocks work best in my opinion) I do this all the time to clean weird shaped tubing. if your working around a pump make sure you don't leave any behind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rude944 Posted May 8, 2006 Share Posted May 8, 2006 I would consider using ice as a media for taking down surface deposits that I could not remove by hand. Add some acid to it to break down the calcium-based deposits. Vinegar would work well, the muraic (sp?) acid would as well. You could even use lemon juice if you wanted to. Put it in there with a third liquid up to the ice and shake it up. Be sure to have some room for the ice to move up and down and this should make it sparkle. Copper is bad, unless you are fish only and wanna keep it that way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ladiebuggy Posted May 8, 2006 Share Posted May 8, 2006 DON'T DO IT SUSIE Copper will kill all inverts now and years to come (even after cleaning the tank) No more questions from me about this. I think that pretty well clears it up. Susie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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