What is the best way to clean old equippment.

shrimpchips · #1 08-11-2009, 08:08 PM

Hardware store

ALBERTA REEF · #2 08-11-2009, 08:13 PM

Like Rona or HD?

xtreme · #3 08-11-2009, 08:14 PM

I know HD stopped carrying it a number of years ago so don't bother looking there. Not sure about Rona.

ALBERTA REEF · #4 08-11-2009, 08:19 PM

I will try looking in Rone some time this week. If I finded it, I let everyone Know.

fkshiu · #5 08-11-2009, 09:02 PM

Muriatic acid (AKA hydrochloric acid) IS dangerous by definition:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muriatic_acid#Safety

I still clearly recall the big lecture regarding hydrochloric acid safety we got at a chem lab back at university - full face shields and everything - because of its tendency to easily become a corrosive mist.

IME there's nothing in our hobby that an overnight soak in full strength undiluted vinegar can't deal with along with a little elbow grease. Like I said, you can reuse the vinegar over and over again. I've been using the same $4 gallon jug of white Costco vinegar for over a year now. Just don't put in on your fish and chips.

IMO the risks of muriatic acid are not worth the benefits over that of vinegar.

lastlight · #6 08-11-2009, 09:23 PM

I read to dilute with ro water as reg water will reduce the effectiveness of the vinegar...meaning the minerals etc in reg water will react with the vinegar i think.

I'm amazed you can re-use the vinegar. Is it becoming less effective?

fkshiu · #7 08-13-2009, 06:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lastlight

I read to dilute with ro water as reg water will reduce the effectiveness of the vinegar...meaning the minerals etc in reg water will react with the vinegar i think.

I'm amazed you can re-use the vinegar. Is it becoming less effective?

I've used in over and over again at 100% and it seems just as potent as the first time - the pungent vinegar smell is still there as well. I think if you dilute it then it will become less effective if you try reusing it.