Is my cell dying?

[mas985]

So the solution you use is one part muriatic acid with 4 parts water?

Correct.

[JimK]

Correct.

Thanks.

How do I safely dispose of the acid solution when I'm done?

[mas985]

Probably the safest place is back in the pool. You would be adding CH back to the pool but it is probably small compared to what is already in the pool. Just keep track of how much acid is in the solution so you don't add back too much at once. Basically your normal dosing. I clean my cell in a dosing bucket so I just use it for dosing at a later time.

Otherwise, you would have to dilute it further and perhaps neutralize it before disposing in a drain.

[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]

Probably the safest place is back in the pool. You would be adding CH back to the pool but it is probably small compared to what is already in the pool. Just keep track of how much acid is in the solution so you don't add back too much at once. Basically your normal dosing. I clean my cell in a dosing bucket so I just use it for dosing at a later time.

Otherwise, you would have to dilute it further and perhaps neutralize it before disposing in a drain.

Thanks for the tips.

Since I'll be using a cleaning stand and just filling the cell with the acid solution (as apposed to soaking the cell in a bucket), I expect I won't be using that much acid. However, I'd prefer not to add CH back into the pool if possible. I'm hoping to let it drop this year. At closing last year CH was at about 250 ppm. This will be my first season not adding anything with calcium, ie - I use to use Cal Hypo to shock, this year it will be strickly plain bleach to shock when needed.

This will be the first time I've done this, so I'm trying to be prepaired to avoid any unpleasant surprises.

Tips and suggestions are most welcome.

[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.