Cleaning and installing a used skimmer

S

simontan

I bought a used skimmer from another member but didn't have time to clean and install it the same day, so it's sat in my garage for a couple of days now. How should I clean it before putting in my sump? Is it okay to rinse in tap water or do I need to use RODI water?
 
@Matt wrote:
What kind of skimmer is it? I take my hang on tank skimmer said:
It's a "Coralife Super Skimmer 125" that was in use right up to when I picked it up. It's got some dried on crud now that looks like really small snail shells and things that probably died and dried up while it was sitting in my garage. How well does the vinegar need to be rinsed off? Will any residue be okay if it gets in the tank water?
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I'll agree with Matt to a point. Vinegar is like the universal clean all for Saltwater tanks and works great but you may have to manually clean some parts as well using pure vinegar. if it's coraline or calcium, the vinegar will break it down in about 24 hours but I would also strip the unit down and live it a good soak except for the collection cup. I use a plastic scrubber for mine and regular tap water, then give it a RO rinse and let it air dry
 
I'll probably get blasted but I cleaned mine with a water and muratic acid mix. It totally disolves the calcium build up then you just rinse it out. When the acid is rinsed out with tap water. I'll brush it down to take off any residual slime, rinse again and ready to go.
 
@psteeleb wrote:
I'll probably get blasted but I cleaned mine with a water and muratic acid mix. It totally disolves the calcium build up then you just rinse it out. When the acid is rinsed out with tap water. I'll brush it down to take off any residual slime said:
Man, you are braver than me, We use that stuff at work to cleane concrete off our concrete pumps, I cant stand to use it on the clock, while getting paid to use it much less at my home or even the thought of useing it on my tank in anyway,shape,form or fashion, noway. Just my thoughts.
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muratic acid is perfectly fine and does work better then vinegar but you have to be very careful with it. A little goes a long way! Heavily diluted is the key.

Nothing though removes that slime. It needs to be wiped off.
 
Well, I don't know what muratic acid is let alone where to get it, so I'll just be using vinegar. What proportion water to vinegar for running it overnight in the bucket?
 
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