Acid for calcium carbonate buildup

[Bill Seal]

If you're in the US, get CLR or Limeaway

[peghall]

Plain ol' muriatic (aka hydrochloric) acid is inexpensive and readily available from just about any hardware store. It's what yards use.


A cupful, two at most, of distilled white vinegar (available from any supermarket) flushed all the way through the system every week or two will prevent sea water mineral buildup. Follow after about 45-60 minutes with at least a quart of clean FRESH water. Vinegar CAN dissolve a buildup but it's too labor intensive---must be replaced about every 30 minutes (something those who claim it won't work fail to realize)--to be worth the effort when muriatic acid will do the job in one or two applications.


--Peggie

[ranger58sb]

Originally Posted by ranger58sb

You might have a look at Trac's Sew Clean. Made for the job. We used it once on a hard/complete blockage with good results.

Originally Posted by Be Free

Phosphoric Acid

Originally Posted by wsmurdoch

...and that adds phosphates to the water if you dump and to the sewers if you pump. It was decades ago when phosphates were generally prohibited in detergents for environmental reasons.

Technical Date Sheet and Safety Date Sheet available on the Trac website. Lots of words like:

THE ENVIRONMENT FIRST: Like all of TRAC’s products, SEW Clean®™ is 100% biodegradable, safe and completely non-toxic.

FAST SAFE NON-TOXIC BIODEGRADABLE NON CORROSIVE NON HAZARDOUS

Don't know enough chemistry to debate...

-Chris

[wsmurdoch]

https://marintech.sg/wp-content/uplo...-Sew-Clean.pdf

..says Sew Clean is 50% phosphoric acid which adds phosphate to any water that it is discharged into. Phosphate is a fertilizer, commonly the limiting nutrition in an aquatic ecosystem. Adding phosphorus encourages the growth of algae and other unwanted plants. For that reason the use of phosphates in detergents has been restricted for decades.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phosphates_in_detergent

[sailingharry]

Originally Posted by Bill O

Remember to mix the acid into the large volume of water and wear safety equipment when working w/strong acids (safety goggles, rubber gloves).

As my father taught me -- "In chemistry, do as you otta, add the acid to the watta." Or, for those more adventurous, "In chemistry, don't be placid, add the water to the acid."

[Be Free]

Originally Posted by wsmurdoch

...and that adds phosphates to the water if you dump and to the sewers if you pump. It was decades ago when phosphates were generally prohibited in detergents for environmental reasons.

I'm not advocating using phosphoric acid. I was simply pointing out that Trac's Sew Clean is phosphoric acid. Buying it in a small bottle with a brand name on it is an expensive way of getting it.

Lacking evidence to the contrary, I will presume that the application of any of the potentially dangerous chemicals referenced in this thread will be done in a safe and responsible manner.

I will point out however that treating calcium carbonate with phosphoric acid will produce calcium phosphate which (if memory serves) is even less soluble in water that what was clogging the pipe to begin with.

[sailorboy1]

Acid is acid and it is pretty much all biodegradable so don't let yourself get marketed into something.

Not all acid is as compatible with hoses etc as people think in a waste system. Some are OK at lower concentrations, but not higher. Because to just take the time to look it up in a 30 second internet search. Easy to turn an acid cleaning for a scale clog into a hose replacement because the hose now doesn't hold odor in.

[aberglas]

Acid ain't quite acids.

The HCl turns insoluable CaCO3 into CaCl + CO2. Just about all Chlorides are soluble.

Not sure about other carboxilic acids (vinegar). But Vinegar is too weak to dissolve build ups, I have found.

[Nicholson58]

We’ve been living aboard for 8 years. Heads are fresh water flush. Never have any problems. Vinegar weekly during cleaning. Vac-U-Flush. 1-1/2 inch Raritan Superflex.

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by aberglas

But Vinegar is too weak to dissolve build ups, I have found.

WE use it at home to dissolve the lime scale in the pans and kettle as we are in a hard water area. Needs to be left to soak for several hours and then a quick wipe with a green pan scrubber and stainless comes up spotless.

Pete

[wsmurdoch]

Originally Posted by aberglas

Acid ain't quite acids.

The HCl turns insoluable CaCO3 into CaCl + CO2. Just about all Chlorides are soluble.

Try googling struvite or calcium ammonium phosphate or magnesium ammonium phosphate along with toilet or black water tank or holding tank.

I'm not sure calcium carbonate is our only problem.