Can I use muriatic acid in an ally to clean rocks?

[leeransetton]

Hey,

I'm new in the US and I don't want to break any rules.
I live in California (don't know if it has something to do with state rules or federal rules).

I want to clean my LR with muriatic acid, but I don't have a back yard and my balcony is too small. So I was thinking of going down stairs to the ally (court) behind my building.

So as the question in the title: Can I use muriatic acid in an ally to clean rocks?


Thanks!

[Volcmreefer]

Can you dispose of the wastewater so it doesn't end up flowing into a storm drain?

[leeransetton]

There's a drain right by the entrance to our parking lot. Is that ok?

[disc1]

Just to shore up any confusion, cause it took me a second to figure it out, he is talking about an alley.

I think the operative is don't get caught. And be sure to neutralize before you dispose.

[leeransetton]

Alley, yeah. Sorry for the typo

Hmm.. problem is, there's a fire dept in the same alley, right next to me..

About the neutralization - I bought baking powder for it.

[disc1]

I'd pick a different alley then.

If you got baking powder then you got the wrong thing. We're not making muffins here. We're neutralizing acid. You want baking soda. Or even the washing soda that you might use to dose alk to your tank. Just don't try to use kalk to neutralize as that may be a bit on the violent side.

[leeransetton]

I'm all over the place! I meant baking soda.
Ok, I'll go take a look around the neighborhood.

Is there no place I can do it totally legally? I really don't want to be caught by LAPD..

[leeransetton]

UPDATE:
Just when I walked around like I said, I stumbled upon 2 cops. I asked them and they said as long as the fumes won't surprise anyone, it's totally fine. And because I only have <10 small rocks, I guess it's gonna be ok.

Welp, wish me luck.

Thanks for the help

[pisanoal]

I wouldn't think local authorities would care at all unless it hurt someone. They might think you are cooking meth or something, but that would be easily cleared up. This stuff is sold as brick cleaning acid in walmart, to be used on concrete driveways, brick walkways, etc.

[leeransetton]

Yeah, I know it's also used to clean pavements. That being said, since I live in the US for a month, I wouldn't wanna take risks.

[neiltus]

Quick someone report him!!!

I would just leave it in the alley with a top on it and a big sign that says "Muriatic Acid-decomposing stuff-Do not touch"

Then set a hidden camera.

Kidding of course.

[Dan_P]

An "alley" might be considered a public right-of-way or at least a public area. Using potentially very dangerous chemicals in such a place is generally not a good idea. I know, the odds might be low of someone getting hurt, but the consequences are bad. The balconey isn't such a good idea if the acid spills over the edge. You won't get much sympathy in court if someone sues you.

Working with an organic acid (acetic or citric acid) that is not volatile or some other non volatile inorganic acid, such as sulfamic acid or dilute sulfuric acid but soaking over a longer time might be the only practical solution for you.

[Mark9]

If the acid gets too complicated, just do a vinegar bath for a few days.
Put the rocks in a 5 gallon pail, 50/50 with water, put in a powerhead, put the lid on loosely, come back in a few days, brush the rocks off, done.

[crawlerman]

does the vinegar remove bound up phosphates?

[Dan_P]

Originally Posted by crawlerman

does the vinegar remove bound up phosphates?

Never tried, but in principle it should, just more slowly than muriatic acid. Can you get glacial acetic acid? This would allow you to make a more concentrated vinegar.

Here's another thought. Citric acid is stronger than acetic acid and is used in food. Why not buy this solid acid and make a concentrated solution to treat your rocks?

Sulfamic acid is stronger still, it's a solid and you can buy through Amazon.

[tkeracer619]

You don't need to acid bath anything. Also, acid bathing it may or may not get rid of phosphates. Also, not all rock has phosphates. Going to an acid bath is not usually my first choice unless there is some reason to do so.

[bertoni]

Before doing the acid bath, you could try soaking the rock in a tub with some water and a powerhead for a while. If the water stays clean enough, there's no need for an acid bath. You could consider using lanthanum chloride if there is a lot of phosphate. It is safe to use and can do the job given a bit of time, usually a few weeks or maybe less.

[jason2459]

Originally Posted by tkeracer619

You don't need to acid bath anything. Also, acid bathing it may or may not get rid of phosphates. Also, not all rock has phosphates. Going to an acid bath is not usually my first choice unless there is some reason to do so.

If I would do it again I would acid bath my pukani dry rock and then cure with LaCL3.

For the OP I'd just go with a soak with bleach to help with some organics then cure with LaCL3.

Edit:actually if I would do it again I'd get tampa bay live rock and be done with it

[Arthur1]

Whatever happened to putting rock into a tank or tub, running a pump, heater and skimmer and doing multiple water changes on it until its cured and water parameters are acceptable? I used to do that retail many years ago (late 90s into the 00s) with live rock flown in, so am I safe to assume that smaller batches are better off "cleaned" prior to any other actions?

[bertoni]

That'll work, too, although rock with a lot of phosphate might go through a lot of water changes. That's where lanthanum chloride can save some time and effort.

[Arthur1]

Bertoni, we did for sure! I haven't used it in a while but I do have some on hand and there is no denying its effectiveness.

[hbreef714]

It's used in pools...use baking soda to neutralize the acid...


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[leeransetton]

Originally Posted by jason2459

If I would do it again I would acid bath my pukani dry rock and then cure with LaCL3.

For the OP I'd just go with a soak with bleach to help with some organics then cure with LaCL3.

Edit:actually if I would do it again I'd get tampa bay live rock and be done with it

Why would you acid bath the Pukani dry rock?

I just bought tonga single branch dry live rock, do you recommend me to acid bath it? The rocks look white and clean to me, but I'd prefer listen to someone with more experience than me.

[jason2459]

Originally Posted by leeransetton

Why would you acid bath the Pukani dry rock?

I just bought tonga single branch dry live rock, do you recommend me to acid bath it? The rocks look white and clean to me, but I'd prefer listen to someone with more experience than me.

I don't have any experience with tonga. But I've used Pukani dry rock from BRS several times in the past and they leached a lot of phosphates for many months.

[leeransetton]

Originally Posted by jason2459

I don't have any experience with tonga. But I've used Pukani dry rock from BRS several times in the past and they leached a lot of phosphates for many months.

Thanks for the input!