HCl for cheap DIY limescale cleaner?

[kj5kb]

Background:
A couple years ago when i got back into fish, I decided my ~ph7.5-8 was too
high. I'd heard of using very dilute hydrocholic acid to lower it...so i made up a gallon of 1 ounce/gallon muratic acid (pool or concrete etching acid). But now I know I should live with my pH as it is!

Now:
Knowing it IS acid, I tried the 1oz/gallon solution on tank and accessory cleaning to remove limescale. yes, it does work, and efficiently on light scale and white stains. It doesnt bother my skin, either. It won't remove heavy scale, but I can add a few drops of full strength for that....with appropriate caution!

Caution...Muratic acid is nasty stuff...always add acid to water when diluting...never add water to acid as it may splash on YOU.


--Don

[fishieperson321]

Interesting....so where do you get the acid???

Daniel

[kj5kb]

Pool supply...used for pool ph adjustment
or
Hardware store/builder's supply...used for etching concrete.

1 gallon probly last ya many years...

Forgot to add this last post;
Caution...don't use to clean limescale from chrome...may discolor the chrome! possibly other metals too.

I don't have any chrome in my FISH TANK tho...

[beviking]

Yeah it works but it is not to be used lightly or carelessly. Those caution labels are on there for a reason. This is a good precautionary statement...
"Caution...Muratic acid is nasty stuff...always add acid to water when diluting...never add water to acid as it may splash on YOU." :nilly:

[Cory Keeper]

ugh, we saw some pictures of nasty industrial accidents, Do yourself a favor and head EVERY SINGLE WARNING.

[Squawkbert]

Citric acid - comes in a nice stable powder form, can be used in higher concentrations w/ much lower risk to the user, no fumes, easier to wash out, won't incur the wrath of your water treatment plant for flushing pH 1 stuff into their tanks...

Lime-Away - harder to wash out, but works fast, won't kill you.

[kj5kb]

...and i meant i add th full strength to water...not use it straight...i prefer to breathe :)

hmm...I like the citric acid idea, too.

This came about cuz I HAD a partial container of muriatic acid already and was wanting a pH dropper...turns out it's a nice lime cleaner too.

[legendaryfrog]

Its not exactly good for your tank and fish to be screwing around with the pH. A stable pH is best, even if its too high for your fish.

Although, if a pH drop is necessary, try adding some PEAT MOSS to the filter. Its natural, safe, cheap, and healthy for your fish.

[kj5kb]

Yep...I haven't fooled with the ph in many months...but then I HAD to find something to do with a GALLON of pH down adjuster, (dilute HCl) tho :)

I'm quite happy with my 7.5-8 pH and so are my fishes...