Aqua Medic Variocare 1000ml
Pack size
1000 mL
Water type
Freshwater + Marine
Aqua Medic Variocare 1000ml
A colour-changing acid cleaner that shows you exactly when it's spent.
Aqua Medic Variocare is a 1000 ml concentrated cleaning solution for descaling and de-fouling aquarium equipment – pump housings, impeller wells, powerheads and similar hardware – for both freshwater and marine systems. It's an equipment cleaner, not a water treatment: it's used to soak parts outside the tank, never dosed into the display or sump.
Key features
- Built-in spent indicator – the solution is red when active and turns yellow once its cleaning capacity is used up, so you know when to mix a fresh batch instead of guessing.
- Concentrate, not ready-to-use – dilute 100 ml Variocare to 1000 ml water for routine descaling; use it stronger, or undiluted, on heavier limescale and calcium buildup.
- Works on fresh and marine equipment – suitable for pump and hardware parts from either system.
- Soak, don't scrub first – parts go into the diluted solution for several hours (up to 24 hours maximum), then get rinsed under running water and brushed clean.
Specifications
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Pack size | 1000 ml (1 L) |
| SKU | AM100900 |
| Barcode | 4025901138511 |
| Active ingredient | Amidosulfonic (sulfamic) acid, with a methyl red colour indicator |
| Form | Liquid concentrate |
| Use | External equipment soak only – not for use in the display aquarium |
| Water type | Freshwater and marine equipment |
Dosage and directions
Mix 100 ml Variocare with 1000 ml water for standard descaling. For heavy limescale or calcium buildup, use a stronger dilution or the concentrate undiluted.
Submerge the equipment fully and leave it to soak. A few hours is enough for routine cleaning; don't leave parts in the solution longer than 24 hours. Rinse thoroughly under running water and brush away any remaining residue before putting the part back into service.
The solution is reusable: keep using the same batch until the colour shifts from red to yellow, which signals its cleaning capacity is exhausted.
Suitable for, and not suitable for
Suitable for: descaling and de-fouling return pumps, powerheads, wavemakers, impeller wells and other hard, non-porous aquarium hardware from freshwater or marine systems, soaked outside the tank.
Not suitable for: dosing into a running aquarium or sump – Variocare is a corrosive cleaning acid, not a water conditioner, and must never be added directly to water your fish or corals are living in. Rinse equipment thoroughly before returning it to the tank.
Safety
Variocare carries the hazard statements H315 (causes skin irritation), H319 (causes serious eye irritation) and H412 (harmful to aquatic life with long-lasting effects). Wear gloves and eye protection when handling it, keep it away from children, and don't let the concentrate or the used soak solution reach your display aquarium or sump.
Warranty and delivery
As a chemical consumable, Variocare isn't covered by a product warranty, but your purchase is still protected by the consumer guarantees under Australian Consumer Law. It ships as a standard parcel item.
Common questions
Can I use Variocare on my display tank while livestock is in it?
No. Variocare is an external equipment cleaner. Remove the pump, powerhead or other part from the tank, soak it in the diluted solution away from the aquarium, then rinse thoroughly before reinstalling it.
How do I know when the solution needs replacing?
Watch the colour. Variocare is red when it still has cleaning capacity and turns yellow once it's exhausted – at that point, mix a fresh batch.
Can I use it stronger than the standard 1:10 dilution?
Yes. Aqua Medic's standard ratio is 100 ml Variocare to 1000 ml water for routine descaling; for heavier calcium or limescale buildup, use a more concentrated mix or the product undiluted.
Is Variocare safe for both freshwater and marine equipment?
Yes, it's suitable for hardware from either system, used as an external soak.
