Cleaning scrubber scum deposits?

Yeang · 25th May 2006, 03:21

Hi all,

I've been trying to think of ways to clean the scum/deposits in my Dolphin scrubber canister. I've tried soap, water, and some vigorous brushing, but it still doesn't get rid of the stuff.... I am assuming that this deposit is sort of like the scales/scum that you get from hard water, i.e. calcium carbonate deposits or something like that.

Given that, has anyone used acidic solutions like vinegar or 5% acetic acid (same thing) to de-calcify their scrubber? If so, what's your protocol for doing it, ie. how long do you leave the parts in the acidic solution, and do you deacidify after with sodium bicarbonate or some such?

Thanks a lot!
Yeang

**wedivebc** · 25th May 2006, 04:22

I use vinegar and water. About 5:1 should do it and let it soak for a couple of hours. Softens it right up then it will wipe out with a cloth.

mortenkjerulff · 25th May 2006, 05:41

Quote: (Originally Posted by Yeang)

Hi all,

I've been trying to think of ways to clean the scum/deposits in my Dolphin scrubber canister. I've tried soap, water, and some vigorous brushing, but it still doesn't get rid of the stuff.... I am assuming that this deposit is sort of like the scales/scum that you get from hard water, i.e. calcium carbonate deposits or something like that.

Given that, has anyone used acidic solutions like vinegar or 5% acetic acid (same thing) to de-calcify their scrubber? If so, what's your protocol for doing it, ie. how long do you leave the parts in the acidic solution, and do you deacidify after with sodium bicarbonate or some such?

Thanks a lot!
Yeang

I have used different weak acidic solutions like vinegar and citric acid, and let them work over night.

Morten

NeilHolden · 25th May 2006, 13:16

Concur with the other posts, weak solution of vinegar, leave for a couple of hours /overnight then brush off/clean. Rinse thoroughly with fresh water on completion - shiny new!

Neil

lizardland · 25th May 2006, 23:26

Quote: (Originally Posted by NeilHolden)

Rinse thoroughly with fresh water on completion

And then rinse again! I used a sealant that released acetic acid (vinegar) as it cures on my homebuild (yeah should have checked first

). Even just a little in the loop and your lungs and throat know about it!!!

Helium_diver · 25th May 2006, 23:39

I use CLR . The stuff you see on TV Calcium, lime remover. For bathroom . Works great.

Helium_diver

**wedivebc** · 26th May 2006, 01:37

Quote: (Originally Posted by lizardland)

And then rinse again! I used a sealant that released acetic acid (vinegar) as it cures on my homebuild (yeah should have checked first

). Even just a little in the loop and your lungs and throat know about it!!!

I know acetic acid can damage automotive O2 sensors. I can only assume it does the same with Rebreather sensors?

**Recrebreather** · 26th May 2006, 14:20

I agree with wedivebc, the acid cannot be good for rebreather sensors and other parts.

I stick with the vinegar for the M-ccr dolphin and inspiration canisters.

Works for me.

Just remember to rinse very well after cleaning and then rinse again.

RRB

lizardland · 26th May 2006, 14:56

Quote: (Originally Posted by Recrebreather)

I agree with wedivebc, the acid cannot be good for rebreather sensors and other parts. I stick with the vinegar for the M-ccr dolphin and inspiration canisters

Er... vinegar is primarily acetic acid

Yeang · 30th May 2006, 17:19

Great! Thanks for all the replies guys. I tried it last night and it worked pretty well --- I didn't leave it soaking overnight, just a couple of hours, but it seemed to get most of the scum off the scrubber canister and part of the stuff on the rubber gasket.

I used a 3% solution of acetic acid (I had 100% glacial in the lab), and checked the pH with a pH meter at 2.40 which is close to lemon juice pH i think.

That, and some scrubbing with a toothbrush plus 2-3 rinses in fresh water and it looks great now!

Yeang

25th May 2006, 03:21	#1 (permalink)
Yeang New Member Current Rebreather/s: Dolphin Other Rebreather/s: Dolphin Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 15	Cleaning scrubber scum deposits? Hi all, I've been trying to think of ways to clean the scum/deposits in my Dolphin scrubber canister. I've tried soap, water, and some vigorous brushing, but it still doesn't get rid of the stuff.... I am assuming that this deposit is sort of like the scales/scum that you get from hard water, i.e. calcium carbonate deposits or something like that. Given that, has anyone used acidic solutions like vinegar or 5% acetic acid (same thing) to de-calcify their scrubber? If so, what's your protocol for doing it, ie. how long do you leave the parts in the acidic solution, and do you deacidify after with sodium bicarbonate or some such? Thanks a lot! Yeang
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25th May 2006, 04:22	#2 (permalink)
wedivebc FIGJAM Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Inspiration Classic Sport Kiss Other CCR Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Vancouver Island BC Canada Posts: 1,358	Re: Cleaning scrubber scum deposits? I use vinegar and water. About 5:1 should do it and let it soak for a couple of hours. Softens it right up then it will wipe out with a cloth. __________________ Cheers, Dave.... Man is the only animal burdened with the knowledge he will eventually die
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25th May 2006, 05:41	#3 (permalink)
mortenkjerulff Customise Me! Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Denmark Posts: 133	Re: Cleaning scrubber scum deposits? Quote: (Originally Posted by Yeang) Hi all, I've been trying to think of ways to clean the scum/deposits in my Dolphin scrubber canister. I've tried soap, water, and some vigorous brushing, but it still doesn't get rid of the stuff.... I am assuming that this deposit is sort of like the scales/scum that you get from hard water, i.e. calcium carbonate deposits or something like that. Given that, has anyone used acidic solutions like vinegar or 5% acetic acid (same thing) to de-calcify their scrubber? If so, what's your protocol for doing it, ie. how long do you leave the parts in the acidic solution, and do you deacidify after with sodium bicarbonate or some such? Thanks a lot! Yeang I have used different weak acidic solutions like vinegar and citric acid, and let them work over night. Morten
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25th May 2006, 13:16	#4 (permalink)
NeilHolden Gadget Freak Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic MK 15.X Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Fareham, Hampshire Posts: 67	Re: Cleaning scrubber scum deposits? Concur with the other posts, weak solution of vinegar, leave for a couple of hours /overnight then brush off/clean. Rinse thoroughly with fresh water on completion - shiny new! Neil __________________ Diversi Veshi Tem
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25th May 2006, 23:26	#5 (permalink)
lizardland Yak Current Rebreather/s: MK 15.X Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Home Build Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: North... Posts: 1,186	Re: Cleaning scrubber scum deposits? Quote: (Originally Posted by NeilHolden) Rinse thoroughly with fresh water on completion And then rinse again! I used a sealant that released acetic acid (vinegar) as it cures on my homebuild (yeah should have checked first). Even just a little in the loop and your lungs and throat know about it!!! __________________ Can you imagine drifting along in the sea with your mouth open and a load of f***ing plankton going in? You'd like it, would you? www.westons-cider.co.uk Azerbaijani Association of Technical Divers Publicity Officer and Goat Wrangler
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25th May 2006, 23:39	#6 (permalink)
Helium_diver Has anyone seen my Gerbil Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Other CCR Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Baltimore MD USA Posts: 150	Re: Cleaning scrubber scum deposits? I use CLR . The stuff you see on TV Calcium, lime remover. For bathroom . Works great. Helium_diver __________________ "If I look unconscious I probably am " Bill Hartman
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26th May 2006, 01:37	#7 (permalink)
wedivebc FIGJAM Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Inspiration Classic Sport Kiss Other CCR Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Vancouver Island BC Canada Posts: 1,358	Re: Cleaning scrubber scum deposits? Quote: (Originally Posted by lizardland) And then rinse again! I used a sealant that released acetic acid (vinegar) as it cures on my homebuild (yeah should have checked first). Even just a little in the loop and your lungs and throat know about it!!! I know acetic acid can damage automotive O2 sensors. I can only assume it does the same with Rebreather sensors? __________________ Cheers, Dave.... Man is the only animal burdened with the knowledge he will eventually die
(Offline)

26th May 2006, 14:20	#8 (permalink)
Recrebreather Rebreathers Rock Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Optima Other CCR Dolphin Ray Azimuth Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Other CCR Dolphin Ray Azimuth Home Build Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 100	Re: Cleaning scrubber scum deposits? I agree with wedivebc, the acid cannot be good for rebreather sensors and other parts. I stick with the vinegar for the M-ccr dolphin and inspiration canisters. Works for me. Just remember to rinse very well after cleaning and then rinse again. RRB
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26th May 2006, 14:56	#9 (permalink)
lizardland Yak Current Rebreather/s: MK 15.X Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Home Build Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: North... Posts: 1,186	Re: Cleaning scrubber scum deposits? Quote: (Originally Posted by Recrebreather) I agree with wedivebc, the acid cannot be good for rebreather sensors and other parts. I stick with the vinegar for the M-ccr dolphin and inspiration canisters Er... vinegar is primarily acetic acid __________________ Can you imagine drifting along in the sea with your mouth open and a load of f***ing plankton going in? You'd like it, would you? www.westons-cider.co.uk Azerbaijani Association of Technical Divers Publicity Officer and Goat Wrangler
(Offline)

30th May 2006, 17:19	#10 (permalink)
Yeang New Member Current Rebreather/s: Dolphin Other Rebreather/s: Dolphin Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 15	Re: Cleaning scrubber scum deposits? Great! Thanks for all the replies guys. I tried it last night and it worked pretty well --- I didn't leave it soaking overnight, just a couple of hours, but it seemed to get most of the scum off the scrubber canister and part of the stuff on the rubber gasket. I used a 3% solution of acetic acid (I had 100% glacial in the lab), and checked the pH with a pH meter at 2.40 which is close to lemon juice pH i think. That, and some scrubbing with a toothbrush plus 2-3 rinses in fresh water and it looks great now! Yeang
(Offline)

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