OK, I've been looking to gather a few supplies together and would rather (if at all possible) buy straight over the counter. I realise I can get lab grade from Ebay, but I dislike Ebay, nay hate Ebay, with a passion. Still spend a fortune on there, but anyone that has had to run the gauntlet of customer services will likely have some sympathy. Anyway, I digress ( a common meme for me), back to the point of the post which in the first place is acids.
One shot drain cleaner seems to be adequate for sulphuric acid at (IIRC) 91%. That seems a better idea than buying battery acid at much lower concentrations and having to concentrate it.
Hydrochoric acid seems a little more problematic - lots of patio cleaner on the market but most seem to have surfactants of various degrees involved. Is this likely to be a problem. Looks like 20-25% is about the best I can get without ordering online - is that likely to be OK for most (if not all purposes)? I've seen that using dilute AR still works, so I guess so, but I'm thinking of things like PGM testing solution etc too. Again could concentrate it I guess, but boiling acid doesn't seem too bright to me though I'm sure it can be done safely.
Nitric acid seem a little more problematic here. There isn't a surfeit of pool supply companies here and I'm struggling for a ph down from a hydroponic supplier that has a nitric option.
Am I better of just biting the bullet and buying from ebay at roughly £30 for a litre of each (I gather it goes rather a long way) or is there a sensible option over the counter.
One shot drain cleaner seems to be adequate for sulphuric acid at (IIRC) 91%. That seems a better idea than buying battery acid at much lower concentrations and having to concentrate it.
Hydrochoric acid seems a little more problematic - lots of patio cleaner on the market but most seem to have surfactants of various degrees involved. Is this likely to be a problem. Looks like 20-25% is about the best I can get without ordering online - is that likely to be OK for most (if not all purposes)? I've seen that using dilute AR still works, so I guess so, but I'm thinking of things like PGM testing solution etc too. Again could concentrate it I guess, but boiling acid doesn't seem too bright to me though I'm sure it can be done safely.
Nitric acid seem a little more problematic here. There isn't a surfeit of pool supply companies here and I'm struggling for a ph down from a hydroponic supplier that has a nitric option.
Am I better of just biting the bullet and buying from ebay at roughly £30 for a litre of each (I gather it goes rather a long way) or is there a sensible option over the counter.
