Cleaning acrylic tank with citric acid

[Johnd651]

So, i was wondering the best way to clean the acrylic with citric acid. I picked up the tank yesterday, but it's -1°F where I live so flushing it out outside will have to wait until it warms up. But do I fill the whole thing up and run a pump or just a little and scrub by hand?

 

[Dan_P]

So, i was wondering the best way to clean the acrylic with citric acid. I picked up the tank yesterday, but it's -1°F where I live so flushing it out outside will have to wait until it warms up. But do I fill the whole thing up and run a pump or just a little and scrub by hand?

Be careful about the “scrubbing” part. Acrylic scratches easily and residual sand or coralline algae will make your scrubber a sander and scratch the surface. Citric acid will help dissolve carbonates but still leave enough to scratch the plastic.

 

[Johnd651]

Be careful about the “scrubbing” part. Acrylic scratches easily and residual sand or coralline algae will make your scrubber a sander and scratch the surface. Citric acid will help dissolve carbonates but still leave enough to scratch the plastic.

So really soaking, rinse, repeat

 

[tharbin]

Nice looking tank. I've never used Citric Acid on my acrylic tanks so I cannot give a recommendation. I usually clean a used acrylic slowly with a plastic blade and RODI. Then a melamine foam sponge (magic eraser) with RODI.

 

[Johnd651]

Nice looking tank. I've never used Citric Acid on my acrylic tanks so I cannot give a recommendation. I usually clean a used acrylic slowly with a plastic blade and RODI. Then a melamine foam sponge (magic eraser) with RODI.

Pics prior to take down

New Jersey - New York - Dry Goods - FREE!! Tank, Stand and Sump

Tank is acrylic and size is 54”x26”x22” stand is white. Sump is a ProClear RedFlex Reef 400 sump. Total water volume with the sump is about 160 gallons. The tank does have scratches that you can fix if you like. This is reflected in the price of $450 or best offer. DM is key. I am also...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Dan_P]

So really soaking, rinse, repeat

Yes, if you are not in a hurry let it soak. Eventually you will want to wipe the surfaces to help things along, just not too much “elbow grease”.

 

[tharbin]

Pics prior to take down

New Jersey - New York - Dry Goods - FREE!! Tank, Stand and Sump

Tank is acrylic and size is 54”x26”x22” stand is white. Sump is a ProClear RedFlex Reef 400 sump. Total water volume with the sump is about 160 gallons. The tank does have scratches that you can fix if you like. This is reflected in the price of $450 or best offer. DM is key. I am also...

www.reef2reef.com

That seems like quite a good deal...

 

[jsmkmavity]

I have used white vinegar before. I spread out paper towels on the surface to keep the vinegar in place so it could do its work without running down to the bottom. Spray bottle works.