cleaning??

[dpotts]

I'm new to this so please forgive my novice questions. I was wondering what you would use to clean your equipment. I bought a mag-float so I can clean the sides of the tank with no problems but was wondering about the back (I have a 29g biocube). Do you clean it or let "stuff" build up on it? How about the heater,skimmers,sponge filter and temp probe? I've heard that people use a vinegar/water mix but can you use tap water with the vinegar or should it be DI water?

Deanna

[JimD]

Since the cleaning solution will be disposed of, you can use regular tap water. Most people use white, distilled vinegar for mild cleaning but for the tough stuff, a dillutided mixture of water and Muriatic acid can be used with caution. As far as the back of the tank goes, some people like to color it with some type of colored plastic paper, black is a popular choice, blue is another, others just leave it alone to age and allow it to be populated by coraline algae and other marine organizms which is what I prefer.

[texasfootball21]

As JimD said, tap water is fine for cleaning your equipment. I generally use a 50/50 water/white vinegar solution to clean with.

About the back wall of your Biocube, it depends on your preference. Again, as JimD stated, some people like the artificial background, and some like the look of natural "stuff" such as coraline algae growing on it. If you prefer the artificial background, scrape off and remove whatever is growing on the back, if you like the coraline, just leave it be, and it will continue to grow.

Here is how I would clean the equipment you asked about:
Heater: I rarely clean my heater, when I do, I just rinse it off and clean whatever it has on it,
Skimmer: Obviously clean out the collection cup, I would rinse out the pump (maybe run it in very diluted vinegar from time to time) and just make sure it is free of debris,
Sponge Filter: I don't really use sponge filters (prefer live rock rubble), but I would defiantly rinse it out with water often, to keep it from becoming a nitrate factory,
Temperature Probe: Keep it clean of debris and anything else buy rinsing it in water.

Thats just how I would approach it, but keep in mind, I am not as experienced as most of the people on this forum, hopefully someone with more knowledge on the subject than me will help you out.

Hope this helps and good luck!

[littlewrentx]

I have an old fashion glass thermometer that gets encrusted with coraline algea. I just scrape it with my thumbnail until I can see the numbers...lol

I also like to use a razor blade to scrape the walls of my 29g biocubes when I do my water changes.

[dpotts]

Thanks for all the advice guys! It'll be cleaning day tomorrow!

[SABOB]

Make sure you rinse off equipment that you soak in vinegar.In a small tank alot of vinegar could affect your ph.