How I Acid Wash Seiryu Stone

In this video I go into a bit of detail about how I acid wash Seiryu Stone.
Disclaimer wearing proper PPE (gloves, eye protection and respirator/mask) is highly recommended. Also, do not do this indoors. Please do this process outside and remain up-wind of the process.
Additional information sourced from:
sciencing.com/neutralize-muri...
“Neutralization of an acid occurs when it is combined with a base to produce a salt and water. Muriatic acid consists of positively charged hydrogen ions and negatively charged chlorine ions. A basic liquid such as caustic soda (sodium hydroxide) consists of positively charged sodium ions and negatively charged hydroxyl ions. During the reaction, the hydrogen and hydroxyl ions combine to form water while the chlorine and sodium ions combine to produce sodium chloride, known as table salt. Weaker basic substances such as baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), soda ash (sodium carbonate) and lime (calcium carbonate) break down into positive sodium or calcium ions and negative carbonate ions in the acid. Hydrogen and carbonate ions combine to produce carbon dioxide gas in a fizzing effect together with water. The metal and chloride ions combine to produce sodium or calcium chloride salt."

[@spencer5082]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge Chantz! Absolutely LOVE this look!

[@Chantz_the_Scaper]

You're welcome, man. It definitely add character to the stones.

[@PharaohciousX]

Great tutorial!

[@rodrigocanalizo5358]

Wow. The results are outstanding

[@calumho6253]

Thanks for this I have been researching on acid washing but also trying to seal it afterwards with epoxy to stop the PH leeching into the water. Gonna give this a try

[@michaeldiaz7163]

Wow they look a lot better, i had just heard about peroxide on them. I’ll try this now

[@CryptKeeperAquatics]

Hey, I have a rock here that the LFS called zebra stone. It’s dark grey with white quartz swirls. Would the acid wash be ok on that stone? Is it possible to leave the stone in for too long? What happens with extended soak times?

[@christophedebucquoi3511]

Does the acid treatment reduce the limestone content of the stones? does this decrease their influence on ph?

[@69klwong]

Hi , I’m only able to legally purchase hydrochloric acid of up to 9% concentration in my country . Would it be sufficient ? If I soak the rocks for longer period of time ? And would hydrogen peroxide do the same ?

[@jandriventer9380]

Hey man. Dobyou think this will work on granite pebbles in a simmilar fashion?

[@AshutoshSingh-yt5ht]

Brother What is the total weight of stone in the basket ?

[@MB-fh1dc]

Does that neutralize the elements that make your tank's hardness increase? Is it safe to put rocks in a tank afterwards?

[@Chantz_the_Scaper]

No, it doesn't neutralize anything about the stone. The whole stone is reactivate and will continue to leach calcium carbonate which will effect your kh. This is solely for making the rocks darker. It will slow the initial spike of your kh, but over time it will have dissolved enough to leach at a normal rate.

[@Chantz_the_Scaper]

Yes, it is 100% safe to use in your aquarium. Just be sure to neutralize with baking soda and rinse well.

[@joeaaaa]

How do i prevent ph raising with seiryu stone?

[@kyotosgameplay7409]

Did you used 2 bottle for that? Or only one?

[@spencer5082]

Ya know everyone says muriatic acid is a "safe" test for rocks in aquariums. There's a ton of videos online showing how if acid reacts with a rock then it's not safe to use. Seiryu is arguably the most common used stone in Aquascaping and it definitely reacts to acid. On a different note, I found some stones at a local stone yard for $0.20/lb. I bought six different stones and two reacted with acid, the rest didn't. I think I'll acid bathe them this weekend and see what sort of colors I can get from them using this method.

[@Chantz_the_Scaper]

Awesome! That's a bug part of what this hobby is about... Experimenting. Lots of folks forget that.

[@kyotosgameplay7409]

Is hydrochloric acid an muriatic acid same thing? If i use hydrochloric acid will work the same?

[@PharaohciousX]

Yes, they are the same thing

[@jaime8318]

I just watched another video that seemed to imply that seiryu stone is not inert. and will possibly raise the alkalinity in the tank? I prefer fish that like softer more acidic conditions. Is seiryu stone a bad idea for this type of aquarium?

[@Chantz_the_Scaper]

Yes. Seiryu will raise the PH. If you're keeping softwater fish, I'd use a different hardscape.

[@jamiewestover6760]

If you absolutely love the look but hate the issue with ph, just epoxy the stones and scuff them back to a matte finish.

[@comeonnerd27]

Hi, I just wonder if it's possible to re-use the acid afterward?

[@Chantz_the_Scaper]

I don't. The calcium in the stone begins to neutralize the acid on contact. It also immediately begins to evaporate once you open the jug. I imagine it evaporates rather quick.

[@comeonnerd27]

@@Chantz_the_Scaper Thanks!! 👍

[@nanofishlk]

Who else thought about that scene from Breaking Bad? Nice tip.

[@NERO-ez1mn]

it doesn't hurt when it doesn't make contact on you

[@onlywei]

Is this better than vinegar?

[@Chantz_the_Scaper]

Much fast and much more effective.

[@na1du]

Does calcium leach less after acid wash?

[@Chantz_the_Scaper]

Not to my knowledge.

[@serviowilches4784]

In no way is it safe to use muriatic acid without proper PPE and safety gloves. You got to respect strong acids like that, it’s not vinegar . My dad worked for Squibb as a scientist and one day I spilled muriatic acid on the garage floor , it made a huge hole in it . Chemical burns are no joke , worse if it splashes on your face

[@Chantz_the_Scaper]

This is used by pool companies who wear Khaki shorts and blue polos... Yes, wear gloves, goggles, whatever makes you feel safe. Most important, do it outside. Also, I know loads of folks who are dosing muratic acid into their aquariums to lower kh. They're doing so with fish, shrimp and sensitive plants in the aquarium. I'm not negating the strength of muratic acid, I've gotten on my hands and after a while it will definitely start to burn a bit.

[@rhiannamarie4216]

Do not do this. I followed everything and put my stones in after rinsing and now my fish are dying one by one. I took the rocks out and did a 90 percent water change.... Hopefully I saved the rest of my fish. It wiped out my neon tetras :(

[@Chantz_the_Scaper]

Sorry for your situation, but this method has been done by aquascapers for decades. I also know world renowned Discus and Rainbow fish breeders who dose muratic acid directly into their tank to lower KH. I'm sorry for you loss, but if you truly did follow the directions step by step, nothing could have happened to the fauna. As I said, muratic acid is dosed DIRECTLY into the tank in some situations with fish that far more sensitive than Tetras. I hope you find the real cause of the disaster and rectify it.

[@CICSYC]

Did you test the PH and KH and GH of the water after putting in seiryu stone ? Putting seiryu stone might cause a sudden big change in ph/KH/GH of your tank resulting in fish dying especially if your water was very soft/acidic initially.

[@itisjustmedude]

Stay UPwind of the fumes!

[@Chantz_the_Scaper]

I said this? Right? But yeah... Definitely make sure you're upwind of the fumes.