Corrosive residue in JOBO ATL

[David Mackovic]

Hello everyone

Im getting very strange powder like residue after I drain my water jacket in ATL. It is corrosive to metals and eats my hoses.
I dont know from what that might be, maybe leaking chems into water jacket ? But seems unlikely, and even if, the quantities must have been high for me to notice.
Any idea how to ged rid of it ? or maybe prevent ?

Thanks a looot
David

 

[koraks]

It is corrosive to metals and eats my hoses.

That sounds really odd.

Could you post a picture of what it looks like?
Frankly, the only residue I'd expect on an ATL filled with (presumably) tap water is calcium scale. This is fairly harmless, but it can settle on hoses and other parts, making it seem like they're affected, while in reality it's just a thin layer of calcium scale that can be scraped off, or dissolved with something like acetic, citric or sulfamic acid.

 

[David Mackovic]

That sounds really odd.

Could you post a picture of what it looks like?
Frankly, the only residue I'd expect on an ATL filled with (presumably) tap water is calcium scale. This is fairly harmless, but it can settle on hoses and other parts, making it seem like they're affected, while in reality it's just a thin layer of calcium scale that can be scraped off, or dissolved with something like acetic, citric or sulfamic acid.

 

[koraks]

Yeah, that looks like scale.
If you have any cleaning vinegar or citric acid, just fill your ATL's water bath, throw in a couple of spoonfuls of citric acid or a cup of cleaning vinegar and let the ATL heat up. Keep it warm for a couple of hours, then drain it and rinse it with tap water. Most if the scale should be gone at that point.

 

[Kino]

Omer Hecht of Catlabs, who deal in Jobo parts for the USA, says to mix a cup of food grade citric acid in warm water and fill the water bath.

Leave it overnight circulating (or even over the weekend if needed) to remove the deposits: it won't hurt the hoses or pump. In fact, it will probably help, as gunk tends to build-up on the pump impeller in in the housing, causing premature pump failure.

I used the last packet of Jobo Systems Cleaner on my ATL 2200 and let it circulate 12 hours at 100 degrees Fahrenheit (roughtly C41 bath temp). After that I turned off the pump, let it set overnight and recirculated the same bath for 6 more hours before dumping it and flushing with 3 changes of water.

My circulation pump improved flow quite substantially and the tub and hoses look like new.

I got the above advice from Omer when I asked for a subsitute for the Jobo Systems Cleaner. He said to use the Citric Acid just the same way as you would the Systems Cleaner.

Hope this helps...