[pcm81]

I have 2x 5 gallon buckets with acid that i use for oxide removal. A mixture of sulfuric and phosphoric acid in my "strong" bucket and i use citric acid in my "weak" bucket. The idea is that more gentle things or things that contain other materials like plastics/rubber etc will go to weak acid bucket. What bugs me is that things are growing in my citric acid... It looks like a bucket of combucha rather than acid and i even have some algae or what ever it may be that is growing in there. My question is: what other weak acid should i consider using in place of citric to prevent things from growing in there? Usually buckets stay closed for most days out of the year and i use them on as needed basis. I was thinking Oxalic acid in place of citric may be? Or may be add alcohol to citric acid to kill off whatever is growing in there?

Thanks Ahead

[Orcio_87]

My question is: what other weak acid should i consider using in place of citric to prevent things from growing in there?

Formic acid will have comparable strength, but it is more volatile.

[billnotgatez]

Do they use acetic acid (vinegar) as an anti-microbe agent.

I initially liked your idea

Or may be add alcohol to citric acid to kill off whatever is growing in there?

[pcm81]

Do they use acetic acid (vinegar) as an anti-microbe agent.

I initially liked your idea

Or may be add alcohol to citric acid to kill off whatever is growing in there?

Don't know about acetic acid use as anti-microbe agent, but it does clean up rust OK-ish

You said you "initally liked" my alcohol idea. Do you see any problems weith it?

I just added 1L of 99% isopropyl alcohol to 5Gal bucket in question. I guess in a week or so i'll know if it cleared up and settled. May need to add coagulant of some sort to achieve settling.