DIY PH Down from Sulfuric Acid. (Battery Acid)

cannabineer

Ursus marijanus
Use lemon juice. Theres no way you can argue that sulfuric acid would be preferred to lemon juice, for any reason.
I would prefer sulfuric for two reasons:
1) sulfate is a nutrient ion, and
2) citric can feed bacteria. Lemon juice contains other organics (sugars!) that don't belong in a hydro grow.

cn
 

Carthoris

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.
Yep, It has all the same precautions as bleach. Look up the for bleach, you would assume you were going to die if you used it. Hell, look up water. rofl. Even the MSDS for water states to use safety goggles and a lab coat.
 

Carthoris

Well-Known Member
I would prefer sulfuric for two reasons:
1) sulfate is a nutrient ion, and
2) citric can feed bacteria. Lemon juice contains other organics (sugars!) that don't belong in a hydro grow.

cn
And it works better. Lemon juice in the eyes sucks balls too.
 

applepoop1984

Well-Known Member
never use sulfuric acid for growing anything. use only apple cider vinegar or lemon juice. theres nothing wrong with the sugars from the lemon in your soil whatsoever, whoever made this thread is coocoo for cocoa puffs. these are the same type of people who argue that urine and feces are suitable for fertilizing. vinegar is just as cheap as battery acid full of lead and heavy metals i cant begin to fathom why in the H anyone would try to make the point that sulfuric acid is ok to use on plants you eventually be smoking when there are safer more inert compounds available. sure its used for berries and potatoes, when a farmer sprays his crops with acid much of it is immediately neutralized by the alkalinity of the outdoor soil and crops. when u use it inside it lingers and kills off your roots even if its diluted. further more you need a license to use sulfuric acid on any kind of crap legal or illegal what the heck is wrong with vinegar its 2.99 a qt battery acid is 4.99 a qt it makes absolutely no sense to have it anywhere near your plants.
 

Carthoris

Well-Known Member
never use sulfuric acid for growing anything. use only apple cider vinegar or lemon juice. theres nothing wrong with the sugars from the lemon in your soil whatsoever, whoever made this thread is coocoo for cocoa puffs. these are the same type of people who argue that urine and feces are suitable for fertilizing. vinegar is just as cheap as battery acid full of lead and heavy metals i cant begin to fathom why in the H anyone would try to make the point that sulfuric acid is ok to use on plants you eventually be smoking when there are safer more inert compounds available. sure its used for berries and potatoes, when a farmer sprays his crops with acid much of it is immediately neutralized by the alkalinity of the outdoor soil and crops. when u use it inside it lingers and kills off your roots even if its diluted. further more you need a license to use sulfuric acid on any kind of crap legal or illegal what the heck is wrong with vinegar its 2.99 a qt battery acid is 4.99 a qt it makes absolutely no sense to have it anywhere near your plants.
You have no idea what you are talking about and it shows. QT of Battery acid like 5 gallons of good PH down. You realize sulfuric acid isn't much different than phosphoric acid which is used to make hydroponic ph down? Phosphoric acid is made out of.... sulfuric acid. Oh noesssss.
 

cannabineer

Ursus marijanus
You have no idea what you are talking about and it shows. QT of Battery acid like 5 gallons of good PH down. You realize sulfuric acid isn't much different than phosphoric acid which is used to make hydroponic ph down? Phosphoric acid is made out of.... sulfuric acid. Oh noesssss.
It's made with but not of it. cn
 

applepoop1984

Well-Known Member
phosphor is added to sulfuric acid to make phosphorus acid. you'd probably use molten lava for adjusting ur ph if you could lol
 

Dirty Harry

Well-Known Member
As I said before, PH down for aquariums contains sulfuric acid, it is expensive for a bottle, and the label warns that it contains sulfuric acid. When used properly, it does no harm to the expensive exotic fish. In fact it keeps them alive as salt water exotics are VERY sensitive to the water conditions.
If your one who fishes rivers, streams, and lakes, you have no idea what run off chemicals you may be eating. Store bought tuna contains trace amounts of mercury. Muriatic acid aka hydrochloric acid is used in swimming pools to bring PH down and people swim in the water treated with it, even swallowing some, with no ill effects. That is the same acid used to etch concrete in high levels. It is excessive chlorine and uric acid (swimmers piss) that causes irritation of the skin, eyes, and lungs.
When it is used properly, it causes no harm. One aspirin can help a headache, take 30 of them it may be your last headache.
Read up on the chemicals that corporate farms use on the crops we eat. A small amount of sulfuric used to maintain ideal PH levels is nothing to be concerned about in the big picture.
For those who say, "I eat only organic products..." good luck with that. Whole Foods got caught selling modified food, even though they state they are all organic.
 

waterdawg

Well-Known Member
phosphor is added to sulfuric acid to make phosphorus acid. you'd probably use molten lava for adjusting ur ph if you could lol​

This has to be the longest running debate yet lol. But were the hell do you get molten lava and I bet its harder to handle than battery acid. I just started a hydro setup and now know I have fucked up tap water lol. In order to get PH down to 5.5 I have to add 400ml per 100L of this crap I have. Its 17% phosphorus acid and I have used about half a gallon so yes I'm headed to the auto store this week to make my own stuff. But I guess I better add slowly to res until I figure out how much is required. donnt want her to get down to 1 now do we. As for the dangers, this whole grow thing is dangerous lol. The thought of jail sends shivers down me spine!!! Not to mention a light exploding! Or a flood! Battery acid is the least of my worries. Ok thats it i'm shutten her down!!! :-(
 

applepoop1984

Well-Known Member
and carbon monoxide has oxygen in it so dont drink water or breath the air that contains 17% o2. whats your point ur adding acid and guessing how much to dilute ur a moron.
 

Carthoris

Well-Known Member
and carbon monoxide has oxygen in it so dont drink water or breath the air that contains 17% o2. whats your point ur adding acid and guessing how much to dilute ur a moron.
There is no guessing. 1 cup to a gallon of distilled water will get you to the level you need to use it just like regular ph down.
 

waterdawg

Well-Known Member
and carbon monoxide has oxygen in it so dont drink water or breath the air that contains 17% o2. whats your point ur adding acid and guessing how much to dilute ur a moron.
Well thats rude!!! Why would you call someone a moron? Does it make you feel better? And yes I am guessing but will make an educated guess as I am going to do a bit more reading. Yes I can read! Have you ever handled battery acid? I have. I for one am glad there are people willing to guess as it's made my life a whole lot easier!
 

waterdawg

Well-Known Member
Oh and thanks for guessing Carthoris now I dont have to.....lol. I bought a litre this morning and some distilled water. I have to change the res. tonight so will let you know how it works. Jeezus I hope I'm OK lol.
 

Carthoris

Well-Known Member
Oh and thanks for guessing Carthoris now I dont have to.....lol. I bought a litre this morning and some distilled water. I have to change the res. tonight so will let you know how it works. Jeezus I hope I'm OK lol.
You will be fine. I didn't guess:) I used math and science. Applepoop is just ignorant. I got mine mixed up to the point where 50 gallons was about a teaspoon to get from RO to where I needed.
 

waterdawg

Well-Known Member
I'm sure u didnt guess lol I was just trying to prove a point. I really dislike rude people who hide behind a keyboard to insult. I'm sure they would not call me a moron to my face lol.
 

waterdawg

Well-Known Member
It worked!!!! LOL I mixed up a batch and tried it tonight, it took one capful too lower PH from 7.5 to 7.0 and another to lower it to 6.5. the stuff I used from store would have taken 300ml. Thanks for the tutorial. greatly appreciated Carthoris. I would like to report just one accident though, I cut my finger on the knife used to cut the nipple off the acid container :(.
 
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