Is my cell dying?

[BigDave]

Remember (9th grade chem) when diluting acid, you put acid into water (A->W). Never water into acid. Wear goggles, gloves, avoid the fumes, have a plan for if it spills.

I'm sure you know all this already, but if not... See Using Muriatic Acid to Safely Lower Your Pool's pH.

[JimK]

Remember (9th grade chem) when diluting acid, you put acid into water (A->W). Never water into acid. Wear goggles, gloves, avoid the fumes, have a plan for if it spills.

I'm sure you know all this already, but if not... See Using Muriatic Acid to Safely Lower Your Pool's pH.

Thanks for the tips.

Yes, I've read that link (will do so again to refresh my memory) and always put acid into water. I remember seeing a demo on TV where they put a drop of water into acid and the results were quite explosive!

I know there are strong fumes when pouring the acid, are the fumes still strong once diluted for cell cleaning (4 parts water, 1 part acid)?

I guess I should do this in the yard somewhere. I'm thinking worst case if I accidently spill some of the solution it's just kill a grass spot (much easier to fix than a damaged patio).

For disposal, any idea how much to dilute the solution to make it safe to put down the drain?

[BigDave]

Let's see... I don't know but I guess that bringing the solution up to a pH in the 7 - 8 range would be ok. That'll take a lot of water... Do you happen to have alot of water just laying around in your yard?

Seriously though - I'd just do as mas985 suggests and use it in the pool. As I understand most SWCG pools require regular additions of acid to combat pH rise. I doubt the amount of calcium on the plates would even be noticeable in the pool.

[JimK]

Let's see... I don't know but I guess that bringing the solution up to a pH in the 7 - 8 range would be ok. That'll take a lot of water... Do you happen to have alot of water just laying around in your yard?

Seriously though - I'd just do as mas985 suggests and use it in the pool. As I understand most SWCG pools require regular additions of acid to combat pH rise. I doubt the amount of calcium on the plates would even be noticeable in the pool.

Thanks.

Sounds like adding it to the pool is going to be the easiest and safest option. Right now my pH has been about 7.4, so I'll have to see how much acid I end up using. I suspect it won't be enough to impact pH by much (don't want it getting too low).

I ordered the cleaning stand yesterday and it should be here this week.

[kelemvor]

When I'm done with mine, I neutralize it with baking soda then dump it to waste. I figure it's got all the calcium deposits that it cleaned from the cell in that water and I'd prefer not to put it back into the pool.

You don't end up using very much acid at all when using one of the "holders". Only a cup or two if memory serves. You only have to mix up enough to fill the inside of the cell instead of filling a 5 gallon bucket to submerge the cell into.

[JimK]

When I'm done with mine, I neutralize it with baking soda then dump it to waste. I figure it's got all the calcium deposits that it cleaned from the cell in that water and I'd prefer not to put it back into the pool.

You don't end up using very much acid at all when using one of the "holders". Only a cup or two if memory serves. You only have to mix up enough to fill the inside of the cell instead of filling a 5 gallon bucket to submerge the cell into.

I considered doing the same, but it seems there are potential hazards (fuming, heat generated). I'd love to hear the details on how to do it this way (safely) and how much baking soda it takes to neutralize the acid solution.

[kelemvor]

I just dumped the acid solution back into a small bucket, then added baking soda slowly until there was no more noticeable reaction. Then I added a good bit more, and later dumped it and washed it away. It foams up a good bit when you start adding the soda.

After cleaning up an accidental muriatic spill a month or two before I did the cell cleaning I was significantly less timid about things.

Maybe someone else will have some more scientific details to share on the calculation to neutralize muriatic with baking soda.