lol, what are you referring to?
DIY PH Down from Sulfuric Acid. (Battery Acid)
- Thread starter Carthoris
- Start date
What does being nude have to do with it? lol.
For anyone who comes across this thread, might I mention that I have been using General Hydro PH down lately and it works about the same. I haven't seen any benefit from using regular PH down and I probably won't buy more when it is gone.
Dirty Harry
Well-Known Member
Sulfuric acid from the auto shop has never failed me. Hell, I use gallons of muratic acid to maintain my kids large pool and hot tub for PH lowering.
It is built into the pool software program I use. I plug in the test strip numbers and it tells me everything I need to do to correct.
It is built into the pool software program I use. I plug in the test strip numbers and it tells me everything I need to do to correct.
cannabineer
Ursus marijanus
I imagine imnude has the right idea. While I totally applaud using sulfuric as a cheap pH-down, the bit of advice I'd append is this: Don't wear clothes about which you care when handling this stuff. Even when I try to be super careful, I always get a drop or three on my clothes, which are cotton. No problems show until laundry day ... and after the wash I have holes eaten into my clothes. So go nude ... or wear old stuff that's been relegated to work clothes duty. Jmo...
I'd keep a shaker of bicarb handy as well. cn
I'd keep a shaker of bicarb handy as well. cn
Dirty Harry
Well-Known Member
Good info. I also run into problems when I spray with a bleach and water mix. Always get a little on me and it is not good for the cloth.
I sure as hell would not mess with this while dressed in the Sunday Best if your into that.
Wear your shit clothes when messing with this and you will never be having to buy a new wardrobe.
oldmanwhite
Member
We love our muriatic acid here, been using it for years without incident. 3-7 ml/cc will do a 50gal res no problem.
But if you are a person who is a danger to themselves I would recommend the sulfuric acid instead as it's weaker to begin with so less chance you burn your eyes, skin or lungs. Muriatic acid out of the bottle WILL MAKE YOUR SKIN MELT OFF!!... and a good inhalation of the fumes will have your lungs hurting for days OR WORSE.
Respect the chemicals, use caution and care, and you will be fine.
GreenThumbSucker
Well-Known Member
My friend used vinegar for about a week once. He got globs of stuff in his res that looked like clay. JIt went away when he went back to PH down.
Battery acid is pure sulfuric acid and RO water, there are no additives, and as the OP says, it is used by commercial hydroponic greenhouses because it is so clean and cheap. I have been using it for a few years now.
crazyj4life
Member
where or how would one obtain battery acid?
Dirty Harry
Well-Known Member
The local automotive parts store.
crazyj4life
Member
thanx alot
GreenThumbSucker
Well-Known Member
They sell battery acid in Auto parts stores. They keep it behind the counter, so you have to ask for it. It is super cheap. I buy a quart of it for $4 - $5. I have been using the same quart for 2-3 years now. Just made up another gallon of it two days ago, one cup of the acid in one gallon of distilled water.
Growingmyown
Member
As a person who works in a chemical manufacturing business, sulfuric acid is always something to be taken seriously. We have 98% pure sulfuric, and it is serious stuff. 30% sulfuric is not OK to get on your skin. And its not diluted from 100% to 30%. The chemical is only manufacturing the base product to 30% and then diluting it. There is a big difference between the 2! I have no argument with it lowering ph because thats what we actually use it for. I just think you should respect the chemical and the people that may not know better themselves. No acids are to be taken lightly! They are all dangerous.
Growingmyown
Member
Use lemon juice. Theres no way you can argue that sulfuric acid would be preferred to lemon juice, for any reason.
Sure there is. Sulfuric acid is way more concentrated, and it actually works. It is super stable. Didn't I show pictures of me literally washing my hands in 30% sulfuric acid in this thread? It is bad for your eyes, and drinking it is probably a no no. However - it isn't going to hurt you otherwise. I literally left it on there a minute and it didn't hurt my skin any. It feels kind of itchy, but it stops once you wash it off with water. It is the as dangerous as bleach is. That is to say that it isn't dangerous to someone who has a brain.
For the record, peeing on your hand will make it feel itchy too. Stop drinking so much.
Here is the post where I poured it on my hand.
Dirty Harry
Well-Known Member
I agree Carthoris, as I use the concentration bought from the auto parts store. I even use it to adjust PH in my fresh water aquarium. Unless one gets industrial or science grade acid that will fume if blown on, it is pretty safe. Those with sensitive skin may have more issues with it on the skin. That said, it is still good practice to use basic safe handling items. Rubber gloves and safety goggles. At least goggles as it is very easy for something to happen that could cause it to splash into the eyes. Eyes are important, wear goggles just for that reason. It is not lava, but can cause eye damage and a lot of pain and will ruin contact lenses. If spilled on clothing and not washed out right away, it can cause holes just like spilling bleach.