Cleaning Salt Off Filter

[brandi_k1985]

I have a over the back filter that came with my 29gal tank. I use to use aquarium salt and the filter has it dried on it now. How can I get the dried salt off? it does not come off with water. Its on the egdes where the water splashes up.

 

[Colin_T]

If it is sodium chloride, (normal salt) then it should wash off with tap water. If it isn't coming off with water then it could be calcium that has built up on the filter. Vinegar should get rid of this but you might have to soak the filter case in it for a while. Alternatively any sort of acid can be used but some will melt the filter case so vinegar is safer.

 

[brandi_k1985]

I was thinking about vinager. Ill have to try that. Thanks

 

[waterdrop]

Also there was a discussion recently of cutting up fresh lemon and rubbing the part that holds the juice on these deposits. Apparently still requires time, patience and elbow-grease but several folks seemed to think there was something special about the fresh lemon as compared to some of the other acids (vinegar etc.) that one tries.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[OldMan47]

The ascorbic acid in a lemon or the acetic acid in vinegar are both weak acids that will gradually react with "hard water deposits" without being too dangerous to use around fish equipment. There are plenty of other acids that could be used but the vinegar and vitamin C are both fairly safe to use with a simple rinse off when you are done.