Electrolysis to the Rescue!

[Clerek]

So I am in the middle of doing this to my tank, and I was wondering if there was any disadvantages to using Sodium Bicarbonate (BAKING SODA)? I read a post on a different forum that says that it has a corrosive quality. I have been using it and the coat hangar I used actually got eaten through and now resides at the bottom of my tank.

It seems to be working, as I am getting tons of sh-tuff on the anode when I check it every 12is hours. I am planning on doing this until I get nothing on the anode, and until I get my POR-15, which I will then coat the inside of the tank with.

Let me know if I should be using the Sodium Carbonate instead of Sodium Bicarbonate (WASHING SODA or BAKING SODA).

Thanks!
-Rick

[HobbyMan]

The hander got destroyed because of the electrolysis process, not the soda. Do you have any carbon welding rods?

[Dragon Tamer]

The proper stuff to use is either washing soda or TSP (tri-sodium-phosphate). Baking soda does very little in comparrison.

[fredintoon]

So I am in the middle of doing this to my tank, and I was wondering if there was any disadvantages to using Sodium Bicarbonate (BAKING SODA)? I read a post on a different forum that says that it has a corrosive quality. I have been using it and the coat hangar I used actually got eaten through and now resides at the bottom of my tank.

It seems to be working, as I am getting tons of sh-tuff on the anode when I check it every 12is hours. I am planning on doing this until I get nothing on the anode, and until I get my POR-15, which I will then coat the inside of the tank with.

Let me know if I should be using the Sodium Carbonate instead of Sodium Bicarbonate (WASHING SODA or BAKING SODA).

Thanks!
-Rick

Hi Rick,
the parts de-rusting electrolysis instructions I read said to use WASHING soda. If you are using baking soda instead it may well be corroding your coat hanger but it most likely ain't cleaning your tank.

[dpotter58]

I just did this to my tank and it worked very well. Are you sure you had the leads in the correct places?

http://twinoak.altelco.net/~jacil/cl...ElecSetup.html

[Clerek]

Yes leads are in the right places, I honestly think it was just the baking soda instead of the washing soda. I am having a hell of a time finding washing soda, but as soon as I find it, i think that will work a million times better! Thanks for the reply guys!

-Rick

[DiverRay]

Try a swimming pool or spa company. They use a powder or big tablet form of the proper soda.

[b.walker5]

Yes leads are in the right places, I honestly think it was just the baking soda instead of the washing soda. I am having a hell of a time finding washing soda, but as soon as I find it, i think that will work a million times better! Thanks for the reply guys!

-Rick

Not sure about stateside, but here we get it from any supermarket, in the detergent aisle, beside the laundry powders.

[latexeses]

I found Arm&Hammer Washing Soda at the local Wal-Mart.

[Clerek]

I ended up finding it at Walmart, but it seems like just a laundry detergent, it is scented, something like "cool rush." It has the sodium carbonate, and some other ingredients, so I think this is the right thing. it isn't 100% sodium carbonate, but i think it will work alot better than the baking soda...

I will try it and report back!

-Rick

[latexeses]

The box I wound up with from Wal-Mart is just plain old washing soda. I didn't even know there was scented. Think how nice and fresh your tank will smell.

[mstic2000]

Someone told me that drain cleaner works well on rusted tanks. I don't know how true it is. I have an extra tank with a lot of rust that I was thinking of trying it out on but if it don't work I'll probably do the electrolysis thing.