Acid wash (1 Viewer)

[jhill9]

I put my rock in a bucket filled it with water till the rock was covered. Then poured in some acid. Waited a little while then added more acid till I stripped everything I wanted off. Was pretty easy.

 

[ReefMaster32787]

Silly but... no pump right?

 

[jhill9]

Silly but... no pump right?

no pump. Use your hand to mix the water.......



I hope hope you know I am kidding about your hand.

 

[ReefMaster32787]

LOL

 

[inigomontoya]

Yep, use Justin's hand...

It's pretty easy to do. I bought some live rock for cheap from a member (cheaper than dry rock) and did a bleach and then a muriatic acid afterwards. I also only did it for an hour or less. It foamed up a lot and afterwards the rock was like new- used a cheap bamboo kitchen spoon to stir.
Just get some serious rubber gloves and keep a large container of baking soda on hand to neutralize it after so you can dispose of it.

 

[rlpardue]

I think it's more useful to estimate the amount of rock (or "layers of rock") you will strip by using volume of muriatic acid, rather than length of time in bath. The acid will strip the outer layers of rock until neutralized [by the rock]. 30 minutes should be enough to finish such reaction; 24 hours is certainly enough. Theoretically, you should be able to stick your hand into the bath once the foaming/bubbling stops, since the reaction is complete and the pH has stabilized at a higher level, but you can be sure I wear a glove anyway

This post is meant to shed light on the reaction and how much acid to use. Stay safe

 

[jqsquared]

Stupid question: after the muratic bath you continue with RODI bath rinses (water changes) till your phosphate dissipates? This removes the phosphate from inside the rock correct?