GFO stained equip, is there a chemical solution?

[dukduk]

Being this is the chemistry section. aside from powerwashing and scrub brushing, is there a way to remove GFO stains from my pumps, reactors, frag rack, etc?

[laga77]

Muriatic acid should take it off.

[dukduk]

not sure if serious....I don't want to melt anything

if not serious, please post in http://reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=6to pad your post count

[bertoni]

I'd try some wiping with vinegar, maybe even a 50:50 solution with water, to see how much that might remove. A 10 minute soak should be fine, too, if wiping isn't enough. If that doesn't work, there are other approaches to try. Oxalic acid might be good for rust stains, if that's what you're seeing.

Muriatic acid is stronger and will work faster, but it can damage equipment and it's a bit dangerous to handle. I'd start with vinegar.

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

How did it all get stained?

[dukduk]

i wasn't paying attn to my gfo, it must have ground (flow too high?) but the reactor was running for a couple weeks and no sign of dust

[bertoni]

Well, if the problem is GFO, I think it should come off fairly easily. Let us know how the vinegar works! I haven't had to remove rust from aquarium equipment very often.

[dukduk]

Vinegar never worked...had to scrub and pressure wash.

[Jonesrd1]

I recommend oxalic acid it is a commercial rust remover it is also a chelator. OA is the sour taste in rubarb. So that is two votes for oxalic acid

[dukduk]

THANKS, sorry J Bertoni I did not know what you were talking about earlier

[bertoni]

No problem, I should have been more clear. Oxalic acid is great for rust, and that's effectively what GFO is.

[dukduk]

Will it dissolve the rust or will I have to put some scrubbing into it? Problem is my hang on skimmer is stained near the bottom, it's doesn't disassemble and there's no way to get a brush or a good stream of water down there. I really wanna keep it, it's a work horse, good to have if I ever have to set up a temporary tank.

Thanks for all the help

[Jonesrd1]

Oxalic acid should work without brushing just give it a bit of time. Be sure to use a saturated solution or even a paste. Good luck.

[Jonesrd1]

Oxalic acid should work without brushing just give it a bit of time. Be sure to use a saturated solution or even a watery paste. Good luck.

[bertoni]

I agree that scrubbing probably won't be needed.