Air stone for etching tank?  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: peps1
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 21, 2013, 03:18:11 pm
content: Hey guys,Iv got a DIY ferric chloride etching tank, but find my "blue stone" aquarium stones get really clogged up.So, I was wondering if anyone had recommendations for other types to try?

author: Sigmoid
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 21, 2013, 03:43:23 pm
content: Those get clogged up all the time in aquariums too. I think the only solution is to buy a bunch and replace them often.

author: poorchava
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 21, 2013, 04:13:42 pm
content: I don't know how about ferric chloride, but sodium persulfate used to erode the stones (I've tried a few different kinds). You can use a piece of tubing and puncture it with a large diameter needle, but you will not get even agitation without highly efficient air source.I suggest you switch to chydrochloric acid with hydrogen peroxide mix. It etches so fast that you don't need air bubbling. Shaking container by hand is enough :-)

author: peps1
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 21, 2013, 04:17:50 pm
content: Thanks.I did try hydrochloric acid with hydrogen peroxide mix, but it just became a little impractical for the volume and size of boards I etch.

author: pickle9000
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 21, 2013, 04:41:40 pm
content: When I was a boy (ha ha). We used the clear tubing, mounted it on a plastic panel the size of the tray bottom, needs to be a snug fit so it won't float. The tube was corked at one end and a winding s pattern from one end to the other. The tubing was attached with fishing line but zip ties are a better choice today. The trick was to melt holes in the tube with a very hot straight pin or sewing needle (don't use a tack or soldering iron tip holes will be too big.) Attach the tube to the panel first, holes are not needed on the bottom side also one hole every half inch is probably more than sufficient.I attached a needle to my soldering iron to make the holes.The panels are very washable. If you lose the use of a hole just melt a new one.

author: hlavac
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 21, 2013, 04:45:57 pm
content: I remember seeing a recipe for bubble etching tank where they used a plastic pipe with holes drilled into it (small hole, then larger diameter half way through, angled) to make bubbles...

author: Arp
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 21, 2013, 04:58:52 pm
content: Flexible or straight wands found on ebay works pretty good. You can modify them to fit the tank pretty easily. Just search "aquarium bubble wand" or something similarMake sure they are plastic.

author: peps1
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 21, 2013, 05:01:40 pm
content: Found these, that look like they may do the job?http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Aquarium-Plastic-Air-Curtain-bubble-Wall-Suction-Cups-Connector-for-Pump-Tube-/171073462854?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&hash=item27d4c5e246

author: Arp
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 21, 2013, 06:26:29 pm
content: Should work.I used this type in my latest tank:http://www.ebay.com/itm/7-6-Fish-Tank-Aquarium-Air-stone-Bubble-Wall-Tube-Blue-19-3cm-Airstone-New-/330994997037?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d10d6d72d

author: Arp
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 21, 2013, 07:00:11 pm
content: Btw if they were to get clogged by Ferric-chloride I reckon you can poke new holes with a nail pretty easily. Not sure how messy ferric chloride actually is. Been using peroxide and HCL, and it's pretty clean

author: madires
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 21, 2013, 07:27:26 pm
content: Quote from: peps1 on August 21, 2013, 03:18:11 pmI got a small etching machine build for ferric chloride and it came with wooden air outlets. But I never used them because I use sodium persulfate.

author: madires
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 21, 2013, 07:32:09 pm
content: Quote from: poorchava on August 21, 2013, 04:13:42 pmI'm using ceramic air outlets with sodium persulfate without any problems. I think they're about 10 years old.

author: Jebnor
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2013, 03:10:14 am
content: How about those decorative glass beads? It they truly are glass, etchant isn't going to hurt them.

author: M0BSW
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2013, 06:18:14 am
content: When used to keep fish as a boy, I had a piece of small flexible plastic tube , blocked off one end , got a hot darning needle to make several holes in it, weighted it down, it worked perfectly, going to try it again in the small etchingtank I have.