PH balance, alcaline and acidic cleaners

[phorvati]

Hi everyone, I was wondering if anyone can shed some light on cleaning mixtures for membranes. mine are filmtek SW30-2540.
The literature says PH12 for alkaline cleaning. What percentage of TSP in water gives this PH. Also PH of 2 for acidic cleaning (muratic or Hydrocloric acid are fine). What mixutre of solution gives these PH balances? Where does one get a PH meter? I think for now I will not do acidic cleaning as it is dangerous in reacting with biological life on the membrane. So just the alkaline. We stayed at and anchorage for too long and I think I have some growth on the membranes. Salinity of the product is too high so I tink I might have some growth.
Besides the biocide from West marine, where can one buy sodium metabisulfade? I went to CVS and the pharmacist was looking at me like I was speaking foreign language. But he told me to go to a local highschool and ask the chemistry teacher if I can borrow some.
Then I went to a water filtration place and the guy was not familiar with it. He told me to just get new membranes???
Anyway, I think I'll go get the west marines stuff for pickling but i'd really like to know how to get a PH of 12 using TSP.
Thanks,
Petar

[ssullivan]

Petar,

You could use TSP and mix with distilled water until you reach the correct pH using simple pH strips like these, often used in HS chemistry classes:

pH Indicator Test Strips: Determine pH Levels Fast & Accurately.

[delmarrey]

Pet stores that sell tropical fish carry supplies for PH balances..................._/)

[Richhh]

Industry standard caustic for membrane recovery is Sodium Hydroxide.
Upcomming 'standard' for acid recovery/sterilizing is a mixture of Peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide (minntech.com/ftg/products/minncare/index.html)

pH strips commonly available from sources such as Fisher Scientific, VWR, or Edmund Scientific. .... laboratory/science suppliers.

[GordMay]

A 1% solution of chlorinated trisodium phosphate is Ph 11.6 – 12.0