Is this HCl reef safe?

[Miami Reef]

It has a yellow color (similar to chlorine). I use it to lower PH. I purchased this from Ace Hardware Store.

Am I risking damaging my sps corals with this product due to impurities?

 

[blaxsun]

The "Danger Poison" label is a nice touch. I'm assuming you've already been using this?

 

[Miami Reef]

The "Danger Poison" label is a nice touch. I'm assuming you've already been using this?

Yes. I know how to be safe with it. Stay a safe distance, don’t breathe in, wear gloves, keep liquid at arms length.

I’m more concerned about impurities in the HCl?

 

[blaxsun]

Yes. I know how to be safe with it. Stay a safe distance, don’t breathe in, wear gloves, keep liquid at arms length.

I’m more concerned about impurities in the HCl?

It's hard to speculate what they could potentially be and what (if any) impact they might have. Just look at Tropic Marin Pro-Reef salt...

 

[WVNed]

the MSDS says this
0% of the mixture consists of components(s) of unknown hazards to the aquatic environment
This product does not contain any Proposition 65 chemicals
there is nothing listed that is regulated in a spill except the HCL

I suppose it is as safe as is possible when using an unknown in your tanks

 

[Miami Reef]

the MSDS says this
0% of the mixture consists of components(s) of unknown hazards to the aquatic environment
This product does not contain any Proposition 65 chemicals
there is nothing listed that is regulated in a spill except the HCL

I suppose it is as safe as is possible when using an unknown in your tanks

Yikes. Okay, I don’t mind switching to sodium bisulfate If it means it’s more pure and less risky to harm my corals and clams.

Now…to find a pure product of sodium bisulfate…

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I'm not sure which is "more pure", but the bisulfate is easier to work with.

As to reef safe, it's always a natter of how much is used and the purity. I do not know what impurities are in bulk HCl products like that, but not much is used.

 

[Miami Reef]

A different reef forum recommended this to me: Loudwolf Sodium Bisulfate / 8 Ounce Bottle / 99.5% Pure/Microprills/Ships Fast from USA
It seems like it is much more pure than the muriatic acid. I’m sure the muriatic acid is fine to use (only 4 mL in 39 gallons) but I’d rather be safe than sorry.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

A different reef forum recommended this to me: Loudwolf Sodium Bisulfate / 8 Ounce Bottle / 99.5% Pure/Microprills/Ships Fast from USA
It seems like it is much more pure than the muriatic acid. I’m sure the muriatic acid is fine to use (only 4 mL in 39 gallons) but I’d rather be safe than sorry.

That's a fine product to use and there's no reason to not do so, but I'm not sure on the purity being higher, and one can certainly buy HCl as pure as you want.

 

[Miami Reef]

That's a fine product to use and there's no reason to not do so, but I'm not sure on the purity being higher, and one can certainly buy HCl as pure as you want.

Where does someone buy pure HCl?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Where does someone buy pure HCl?

This one may be generally available. ACS grade is a pretty pure material:

Hydrochloric Acid, Muriatic Acid and HCL | Lab Alley

Lab Alley has you covered with top-quality hydrochloric acid, also known as muriatic acid and HCL. Shop our wide selection of grades and solutions today!

www.laballey.com

It's specifications:

https://media.laballey.com/specifications/C4280-HydrochloricAcid-ACS-Spec-Sheet.pdf

Here's the most pure one I could find, but you likely cannot buy it as an individual. It's spec sheet list analysis of nearly every element. Only $2000 /L. lol

 

[jda]

I use Home Depot Muriatic to lower alk in my freshly mixed saltwater. Been doing it for more than a decade. It is like 20mls in 44 gallons which ends up going into about 300 gallons. Probably a literal drop in the bucket?

 

[Miami Reef]

I use Home Depot Muriatic to lower alk in my freshly mixed saltwater. Been doing it for more than a decade. It is like 20mls in 44 gallons which ends up going into about 300 gallons. Probably a literal drop in the bucket?

What color is the acid? Yellow or clear?