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It just seems like a lot of hassle and messing around for what you have in the end. Dry rock from BRS is pretty cheap to just get new when you get to where you are going.
acid bath/curing tank
- Thread starter codydemmel4
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codydemmel4
Active member
I mean for 200 lbs of rock, I only paid $100 and I spent around $40 on the acid, hose, tub, baking soda. That means I got 200lbs of BRS dry rock for .75/lb which is a lot cheaper.
I would have spent over $500 for that so saving $350, I think it is very well worth it
I would have spent over $500 for that so saving $350, I think it is very well worth it
SeattleReefer
New member
acid is used to clean masonry, so it will definitely affect the rooftop if it gets spilled. The acid will etch the stonework it touches.
The picture is accurate, all that foam is organic material that would otherwise end up decomposing in the tank. So you are on the right track with the idea to clean the old rock.
Why not use a bigger tub? A big container filled only half full (but enough to cover the rocks) might be enough to contain the foam. In my experience a 30 pound rock in a 30 gallon tub with a gallon of acid produced maybe 20 gallons of foam so a big 50 gallon container might work without spillage.
As stated, acid reacts with chlorine in tap water to form chlorine gas so wear a respirator, gloves, and goggles. Have plenty of baking soda around to neutralize the acid before pouring it down a drain. It takes several hours for the acid to do it's work but the majority of foaming takes place in the first ten minutes.
The picture is accurate, all that foam is organic material that would otherwise end up decomposing in the tank. So you are on the right track with the idea to clean the old rock.
Why not use a bigger tub? A big container filled only half full (but enough to cover the rocks) might be enough to contain the foam. In my experience a 30 pound rock in a 30 gallon tub with a gallon of acid produced maybe 20 gallons of foam so a big 50 gallon container might work without spillage.
As stated, acid reacts with chlorine in tap water to form chlorine gas so wear a respirator, gloves, and goggles. Have plenty of baking soda around to neutralize the acid before pouring it down a drain. It takes several hours for the acid to do it's work but the majority of foaming takes place in the first ten minutes.
codydemmel4
Active member
Thank you! This is very helpful. I have everything needed to do the acid bath, including gloves, mask and etc. Around how many pounds of baking soda would you recommend?
I knew it would clean the rock/tile on my roof. I am more worried if it will bleach it, I am sure the roof could use a good cleaning. I just want to make sure it wont ruin it.
Another question I have, how do you know how much acid to use? The videos on youtube do not look like theyre using anywhere close to 1 gallon of acid per 30 gallons of water/rock
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SeattleReefer
New member
I used much of a 2 lb box of baking soda to neutralize a gallon of acid. The point is to ensure that you are not pouring acid down a drain.
As to the roof- I'd use a tarp or some sort of overflow tub and neutralize any spillage as it occurs so as not to etch the masonry of the roof.
codydemmel4
Active member
I have a tarp but its just a cheap tarp that is used for tents when you go camping. I was sure that the acid would eat through it. If not, that will work perfect.
codydemmel4
Active member
Another question I have, how do you know how much acid to use? The videos on youtube do not look like theyre using anywhere close to 1 gallon of acid per 30 gallons of water/rock
SeattleReefer
New member
The tarp would be a VERY temporary containment until you can neutralize the overflow with baking soda, use the tarp just to keep strong acid/foam off the masonry.
I poured about 1/3 gallon in (add acid to water, NEVER water to acid) and let the reaction get going, then about a half hour later I poured some more. Just pour enough in the get a good foaming going but not out of control. There is a short delay between pouring the acid and huge foam production.
codydemmel4
Active member
Okay thanks a lot for this, I will probably go buy another tarp and double up on them just to try to contain it as much as possible and also adding baking soda the second it overflows the tub. I will be using gloves, mask and goggles.
codydemmel4
Active member
how do you know when the reaction is over to pour baking soda inside of the tub with the rock and so forth?
SeattleReefer
New member
the reaction is quite vigorous at first then tapers off. I got bored of waiting after a few hours and used baking soda to neutralize the acid.
Leave it sit in the acid bath long as you like, a gallon of acid is not gonna melt the whole rock away.
Then wash, wash, wash the rock. I used the hose nozzle to wash from every direction to try to get fresh water into all the pores and holes. I saw little bits of organic material floating off the rock even after 5 washings.
codydemmel4
Active member
okay thanks! I will probably try to let the acid do its work for 2-3 hours and then use a lot of baking soda in the garbage can I plan to do the bath in. When I am rinsing off the rocks after I poured a ton of baking soda in the garbage can, will this be fine to hit the tile on my roof or is the acid still present?
SeattleReefer
New member
When it comes time to neutralize the acid pour in the baking soda slowly. You will notice another reaction but with less foam this time. Keep pouring in baking soda until there is no further reaction. At this point the solution is safe to dispose of down a drain and it will not etch the masonry.
codydemmel4
Active member
thanks for all the help, I greatly appreciate it!
codydemmel4
Active member
what does it mean when you add baking soda to the garbage can and it goes down for a little bit but then shoots back up and starts foaming again. I have added 2 gallons of acid to a little over half a 45 gallon brute trash can filled with water and rock very slowly over 2 hours.
