Limescale

[Princess Pooper]

What does everyone use to clear limescale in their hot water tanks for plant cleaning / tank wash?

Prince Pooper used to get some crystals from Northern Dairy Supplies but hasn't been able to get them for a while, just bunged them in every now and again. Dairy chems supplier not very helpful. We are not in a particularly hard water area but it does need clearing every now and again, elements are looking to be furred up, had a very high thermoduric last month (Bactos OK though) so just checking everything out.

 

[HolzKopf]

Would they have been citric acid crystals? Or what about Fernox DS-3 https://fernox.com/product/limescale-remover-ds-3-2kg/

HK

 

[Moors Farmer]

Millstone remover. It's mostly phosphoric acid with a little bit of nitric acid.

Word of caution though - do not mix with any alkaline dairy cleaner.

 

[sjt01]

What does everyone use to clear limescale in their hot water tanks for plant cleaning / tank wash?

Prince Pooper used to get some crystals from Northern Dairy Supplies but hasn't been able to get them for a while, just bunged them in every now and again. Dairy chems supplier not very helpful. We are not in a particularly hard water area but it does need clearing every now and again, elements are looking to be furred up, had a very high thermoduric last month (Bactos OK though) so just checking everything out.

To prevent, fit one of these in the supply https://www.bes.co.uk/cistermiser-combimate-dual-fit-scale-reducer-17067/ - works better than water softener and just needs a handfull of balls to topup each year

 

[crashbox]

To prevent, fit one of these in the supply https://www.bes.co.uk/cistermiser-combimate-dual-fit-scale-reducer-17067/ - works better than water softener and just needs a handfull of balls to topup each yearView attachment 1107226

I have the above, and a water softerer - take no chances, heat recovery unit to expensive to cock up!

But that's for prevention, rather than cure, which is what I think @Princess Pooper is after?

For getting rid, phosphoric acid works but will eat a copper cylinder so be very careful... okay with stainless cylinder.

Maybe fit the prevention measures, and change the heat elements if you have a build up - better than making a hole in the copper cylinder.

 

[suffolksmallholder]

May cause horrors but I use ‘brick acid’ from Travis to clean any limescale such as shower screens, taps, toilets and a plethora of other items that suffer from the problem.
I even did Stuart Copeland’s (The Police) kitchen sink and hallway tiles in a past life.
Be cautious around chrome and it turns ss black if left too long.
SS

 

[Mr Mackay]

May cause horrors but I use ‘brick acid’ from Travis to clean any limescale such as shower screens, taps, toilets and a plethora of other items that suffer from the problem.
I even did Stuart Copeland’s (The Police) kitchen sink and hallway tiles in a past life.
Be cautious around chrome and it turns ss black if left too long.
SS

Dont stand so close to me