Alternative Spectra Pickling Agent ?

[TQA]

HELP I need to pickle my Spectra 150 watermaker for 4 weeks and can not find the SC1 pickling agent in Guadeloupe or Antigua and I have left it too late to get some sent here.

Is there any readily available alternative substance that I can use.

[hellosailor]

The MSDS information on Spectra's web site indicates that the pickling chemicals are "OSHA PEL ACGIH TLV" which they refer to as a proprietary formulation of common chemicals, sometimes with Boric Acid which is often used as a buffer.

I'd suggest calling Spectra, telling them you are between a rock and a hard place, is there something you can get locally that will be better than nothing for a month. Some folks suggest sodium metabisulphite, which is commonly used as a biocide in home brewing equipment and fairly innocuous, but why not ask Spectra directly?

[lshick]

I believe they support the use of non-toxic antifreeze as an alternative agent. From my 200C manual: "Flush 5 gallons of potable water system antifreeze straight through the system instead of using the normal SC-1 storage procedures. The antifreeze will prevent biological growth as well as freeze protection."

[hellosailor]

"non-toxic antifreeze"
Wodka!
As long as the plastics don't mind that.

[erps]

I talked to a fellow from AquaMarine? at the Seattle boat show last month and had some follow up conversations with him via email and one of the questions I had was about pickling the membrane. IIRC, he mentioned if you flushed the membrane with product water monthly, you don't have to pickle it. Does anyone practice that?

[TQA]

Panic over as I found a supplier of the Spectra agent. Mind you it is $30 a shot!

I did note the use of the glycol based antifreeze but you get funny looks in Antigua if you ask for antifreeze.