Anyone know how long it takes a Citric Acid solution to break down/become useless?

[JNalley]

I know how long it lasts on shelf in crystal form provided it's kept dry and in a dark container, but I was wondering how long after I mix it with water till it loses its effectiveness and I can't seem to find that information anywhere.

Say I mixed up 10-gallons of Sicce Pump clean, which is predominantly citric acid, would it last 3 days? 5 days? a month? It seems like a waste if it only lasts a couple of days, but if it could be stored and reused a couple of times, I might just mix up 10 gallons of it and store it. Anyone know?

 

[Hermie]

maybe try the reef chemistry forum as well

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

From my experience, once mixed, say spray bottle form, in a one use situation, ie: tanks, tiles, counter tops, bathroom etc. Doesn't go bad, or we use it up before it does. But in a situation, like what I think you are asking, ie: making a bucket and throwing some pumps in. I think it will continue to work until you turn the acid to a base. I have a five gallon bucket going all the time, it will get just nasty but still work, a bit slower than new, but it will work. I guess the real answer is, it last as long until the other half points at it and asks what the heck is this nasty. Then you pour it in the Loo or sink with a hard water build up.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I do not see a way for it to lose cleaning effectiveness in our lifetimes, as long as it’s not so dilute that bacteria grow in it.

 

[GlassMunky]

I do not see a way for it to lose cleaning effectiveness in our lifetimes, as long as it’s not so dilute that bacteria grow in it.

If he has a giant tub of citric acid in water and adds things with calcium build up to that tub, wouldn’t the citric acid react with the base and become just water and carbon dioxide?
therefore if you added enough base it would neutralize the acid in the water making it no longer useful as a cleaner?

 

[uninformed]

If he has a giant tub of citric acid in water and adds things with calcium build up to that tub, wouldn’t the citric acid react with the base and become just water and carbon dioxide?
therefore if you added enough base it would neutralize the acid in the water making it no longer useful as a cleaner?

Directionally, yes, but you would have to clean an awful lot of very dirty pumps to consume 10 gal of a typical citric acid solution.

 

[GlassMunky]

Directionally, yes, but you would have to clean an awful lot of very dirty pumps to consume 10 gal of a typical citric acid solution.

I get that. But the OP asked roughly how long it would take and randy said your whole lifetime which I don’t think is correct. Maybe he was just exaggerating.

It would totally depend on how concentrated the citric acid was dissolved in the water along with the amount of base added along.
so really we can’t give the OP any timeframe because there are too many variables at play

 

[GlassMunky]

For example:
I have a 10am solution of citric acid in water.
I totally tear down a 500Gal tank and put all of the dirty pumps, heaters and anything else with buildup on it into the solution.

That solution will wear out it’s effectiveness a lot faster than if I was only taking out 2 jeabo pumps and cleaning them once every month or so as Maintenance

 

[JNalley]

I'll be cleaning 6-7 pumps every 3-6 months depending on buildup. But you guys have given me enough to go on, it's worth mixing a 10G solution and storing it for a while. Thanks!