Dry rock, Phosphates, how to treat with muriatic acid?

keh9qd · 02/29/2012, 11:21 PM

I ordered some Reef Cleaners dry rock and have been reading about how it may leach out phosphates in my tank for a period of time. The tank is new and I have not yet recieved the rock so now would be a great time to set up a rubbermade and treat the rock with muriatic acid. I've been reading and I have had a hard time finding exactly how to approach this process. here are my questions:

1. What brand muriatic acid do I buy?
2. how much do I use for 30 pounds of rock in 15g of water?
3. In my treatment tub do I need a powerhead? salt or just RO water?

A step by step writup from someone who has successfully done this process would be greatly appreciated.

keh9qd · 03/01/2012, 01:21 AM

I found my answers to questions 2 and 3 but I am not sure what product to go with although Seaklear seems to be popular. They actually make a spa phosphate remover for cheaper but Im not sure if the chemical makeup is the same as their pool product?

costalot · 03/01/2012, 06:34 AM

I followed the link sort of long but it worked out great.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...light=muriatic

keh9qd · 03/02/2012, 01:07 AM

The link was a big help thx. Now im not sure if i go the seaklear phosphate remover route or muratic acid. Seaklear is most popular but $30 whileuriatic acid is $11. Any ideas?

Randy Holmes-Farley · 03/02/2012, 07:40 PM

The acid treatment is a lot faster, if that matters to you.

7Reef · 03/02/2012, 07:53 PM

If your not sure the rock leaches phosphates, why not soak it for a few days then test the water?

stadler51 · 03/03/2012, 10:30 AM

I used the acid from home depot.

02/29/2012, 11:21 PM	#1
keh9qd Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 301	Dry rock, Phosphates, how to treat with muriatic acid? I ordered some Reef Cleaners dry rock and have been reading about how it may leach out phosphates in my tank for a period of time. The tank is new and I have not yet recieved the rock so now would be a great time to set up a rubbermade and treat the rock with muriatic acid. I've been reading and I have had a hard time finding exactly how to approach this process. here are my questions: 1. What brand muriatic acid do I buy? 2. how much do I use for 30 pounds of rock in 15g of water? 3. In my treatment tub do I need a powerhead? salt or just RO water? A step by step writup from someone who has successfully done this process would be greatly appreciated.

03/02/2012, 07:40 PM	#5
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	The acid treatment is a lot faster, if that matters to you. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

03/01/2012, 01:21 AM	#2
keh9qd Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 301	I found my answers to questions 2 and 3 but I am not sure what product to go with although Seaklear seems to be popular. They actually make a spa phosphate remover for cheaper but Im not sure if the chemical makeup is the same as their pool product?

03/01/2012, 06:34 AM	#3
costalot Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Vancouver. WA Posts: 15	I followed the link sort of long but it worked out great. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...light=muriatic

03/02/2012, 01:07 AM	#4
keh9qd Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 301	The link was a big help thx. Now im not sure if i go the seaklear phosphate remover route or muratic acid. Seaklear is most popular but $30 whileuriatic acid is $11. Any ideas?

03/02/2012, 07:53 PM	#6
7Reef Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Boston Posts: 87	If your not sure the rock leaches phosphates, why not soak it for a few days then test the water?

03/03/2012, 10:30 AM	#7
stadler51 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Mentor, OH Posts: 211	I used the acid from home depot.