Cleaning a used tank. OxyClean????

[tomanero]

I found this on another forum.
"I've used Oxi Clean on my tanks, before they are used. Says right on the label "safe for aquarium use". I called the maunfacturer sometime ago, and they gave me a guaranty that it works, and is safe."

Anyone ever try this?


I just bought a used system that needs much cleaning.

Was wondering if this works better than vinegar and could it be used to soak power heads, internal pumps, etc.?

[brewercm]

I doubt it works any better then vinegar.
I usually soak my pumps in a 50/50 water vinegar mix and they come out looking like new after a little scrubbing with a toothbrush (very light scrubbing required).

[LoneStar]

I agree. Just use vinegar. Actually try getting the 'pickeling vinegar'. Its a higher concentration. HEB has it and it comes in a jug with a blue label.


You can try doing a little test with the Oxi Clean. Get some aragonite sand (calcium carbonate based) and pour a Oxi Clean mixture into it. See if it starts dissolving the sand or not. If it doesn't, it won't clean your tank as well as vinegar would :)

[tomanero]

Thanks.
I'll stick to the vinegar.

[LoneStar]

You can also use muratic acid for the equipment (not sure about using it in the actual tank though). Just be very careful handling the stuff and follow directions carefully. Hopefully someone who has used it here can chime in for a mixing ratio and safety precautions.

[Ram_Puppy]

I have used muratic acid many times on both tank and equipment - you don't have to even scrub it just devestates all the buildup.

mixing instructions are on the bottle.

use it outdoors if you can, if not, well ventilated, and wear a mask!

[blueboy]

yeah, that stuff puts off some nasty fumes!

[Ram_Puppy]

I had a 10 gallon tank i used as a refugium for a while... so it had tons of coraline built up on it's sides, and there was a pump in there as well.

so, being the smart guy I am, I put it in the shower in my spare bath, filled it up w/ water, poured smoe acid in, and plugged in the power head.

within seconds i couldn't breath from the fumes, my eyes were watering, so I flipped on the vent and ran out of there, closing the door behind me.

So... moral of the story:

Muratic acid is totally safe if you dont use it like Rampuppy did once. :)

Outdoors if you can, or well ventilated. I can not stress this enough!

but man, if it doesn't make old equipment look slick and new like nothing else can! it is great great stuff!

[brewercm]

Yep, muriatic acid is fine. Just head the warnings from Ram_Puppy.

I keep several gallons on hand for my swimming pool to stabilize PH.