how much muriatic acid to use for cleaning

[pascal32]

I'm looking to move over to using Muriatic acid to clean pumps and bins. I've been looking and the concentration varies dramatically from person to person.

Using muriatic acid from the pool store Hydrogen Chloride 31.45%

The vinegar I use is 5% for 2-3 hours

what level of dilution & soak time should I be using for:
- normal cleaning
- really grungy pump
- Salt water mixing bin

Any issues cleaning skimmers (acrylic) VS vinegar?

For measuring I would like to use a plastic measuring cup like I use for two part, any issue? one measured I would slowly add to water

Neutralizing - I'm planning to wash the excess down the sink. Thought is to neutralize with baking soda BEFORE removing pumps. thoughts on this and the mount of baking soda needed per gallon of diluted mix?

CAUTION: when handling strong acids ALWAYS pour the acid into water when diluting.

SAFETY: this is nasty stuff, gloves and eye protection are required when using!!!!!! read here: http://water.usgs.gov/admin/memo/policy/wrdpolicy94.006.html

thanks!

 

[2thdeekay]

You should be fine w/ using a 10x dilution, just be careful not to leave metal parts, like impeller shafts too long. You can go a bit more dilute if you want.

 

[JohnV8r]

I use a 50/50 mix of fresh water and muratic acid for five minutes max to clean the in between places that have gotten nasty. Works great for me. Turn any pumps on when soaking. I flush with salt water to neutralize, then rinse liberally with fresh water.

 

[2thdeekay]

Be careful using muriatic acid that strong. 31-32% HCl is roughly 10 Molar, and a 50:50 mix w/freshwater (or 2x dilution) is ~5M HCl

 

[bertoni]

I'd work outside because the fumes are toxic. Adding one part acid to 10 parts water should be fine. Baking soda should be fine for neutralizing the solution.

 

[pascal32]

thanks for the feedback!

For cleanign a mixing bin in the basement I would like to leave the mag pump with metal screws in place - what is "too long" for the metal screws at 1:10?

 

[2thdeekay]

Depends on the metal, but w/my pumps, not more than 15-20 minutes before checking...certainly not for hours which is ok w/vinegar.

 

[bertoni]

I'd check after 5-10 minutes.