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11/12/2011, 02:43 PM | #1 |
Ultimate Reefer
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: London, UK
Posts: 8,540
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Acid Washing Key Largo Rocks
OK, so I bleached and then acid washed my Key Largo rocks from Marcorocks.com.
After I washed the rocks in muriatic acid (hydrochloric acid) I noticed that some of the smaller pieces which stayed in the acid water longer have turned bone white. There was lots of bubbling etc during the process. I have a few questions: 1. Are the whiter looking rocks cleaner in terms of phosphate and organics? 2. The acid water turned very much pee colour-is this a sign of organics/phophates etc taken off the rock surface by the acid and into solution? If the answer to the above questions = yes, then I am minded to acid wash the larger and darker looking pieces again. It is an easy process for me, but I am only wanting to go through the process if there is real cleaning taking place or that the rocks will clean up even more if I do another acid bath. The reason for posting in this forum is because I want to know what is chemically happening and would prefer to have an answer from a chemist, rather than a hobbyist who may be just guessing - I dont mean any offence by this; I simply want to know the accurate scientific reason and what the acid is exactly doing. Many thanks in advance. |
11/12/2011, 05:20 PM | #2 |
RC Mod
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Mountain View, CA, USA
Posts: 88,616
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1. They likely are more pure calcium carbonate, but the coloration of the other rocks might not be organic in nature. I don't think phosphate contamination would be visible at all.
2. No, the coloration might be due to soluble mineral content.
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Jonathan Bertoni |
11/17/2011, 07:10 PM | #3 | |
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Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 262
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sahin,
the following thread may be useful: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...ighlight=lowes On p.3 the following is stated: Quote:
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11/18/2011, 02:14 PM | #4 | |
Ultimate Reefer
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Quote:
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