Ultrasonic Cavitation & Cleaning Explained

[Neil.Antin]

At the end, I dry the record by suction on the Project record cleaner (10 rotations each side).

Do you 1st rinse the record with distilled or demineralized water (DIW). Depending on how many records you clean with the same DG-II bath, after every record, the bath Tergikleen concentration is increasing. If the concentration gets high enough (which is much less than the prepared solution you brush on) when you dry some of the solution is evaporated on the record and Tergikleen residue will be left behind.

I would like someone to compare ultrasonic cleaning with cleaning on a fast Clearaudio cleaning machine that does everything at once. Perhaps 45 min for 3-4 records is a waste of time?

FWIW:

Trying to compare cleaning processes is always very objective since it very much depends on the initial condition of the record. To accurately access you would need records of equal condition, be they new or used (with its wide variation), each cleaned by the different machine. You will more than likely find that for some records, they clean equally, while for others, one cleans better than the other. Which is why many people use a combination of vacuum-RCM for preclean followed by UT for final clean to achieve best achievable cleanliness while others will use just one or the other. All depends on your own goals and desires, and how much convivence you want.

Have you tried just using the new Degritter Cleaning solution (about 1-ml/tank) followed by a rinse (use a 2nd tank)? Using the 2nd tank rinsing process helps to keep the temperature under control. With the 2-tank clean-rinse process, you may be able to cut your process time down to about 12-min (with the DG drying the record); using your vacuum-RCM for pre-clean only as required.

Just some thought.

 

[Jack Pot]

Do you 1st rinse the record with distilled or demineralized water (DIW). Depending on how many records you clean with the same DG-II bath, after every record, the bath Tergikleen concentration is increasing. If the concentration gets high enough (which is much less than the prepared solution you brush on) when you dry some of the solution is evaporated on the record and Tergikleen residue will be left behind.


FWIW:

Trying to compare cleaning processes is always very objective since it very much depends on the initial condition of the record. To accurately access you would need records of equal condition, be they new or used (with its wide variation), each cleaned by the different machine. You will more than likely find that for some records, they clean equally, while for others, one cleans better than the other. Which is why many people use a combination of vacuum-RCM for preclean followed by UT for final clean to achieve best achievable cleanliness while others will use just one or the other. All depends on your own goals and desires, and how much convivence you want.

Have you tried just using the new Degritter Cleaning solution (about 1-ml/tank) followed by a rinse (use a 2nd tank)? Using the 2nd tank rinsing process helps to keep the temperature under control. With the 2-tank clean-rinse process, you may be able to cut your process time down to about 12-min (with the DG drying the record); using your vacuum-RCM for pre-clean only as required.

Just some thought.

I ordered the Degritter-II with a second tank. Excellent suggestions to be explored. Thanks.

 

[Jack Pot]

Do you 1st rinse the record with distilled or demineralized water (DIW). Depending on how many records you clean with the same DG-II bath, after every record, the bath Tergikleen concentration is increasing. If the concentration gets high enough (which is much less than the prepared solution you brush on) when you dry some of the solution is evaporated on the record and Tergikleen residue will be left behind.


FWIW:

Trying to compare cleaning processes is always very objective since it very much depends on the initial condition of the record. To accurately access you would need records of equal condition, be they new or used (with its wide variation), each cleaned by the different machine. You will more than likely find that for some records, they clean equally, while for others, one cleans better than the other. Which is why many people use a combination of vacuum-RCM for preclean followed by UT for final clean to achieve best achievable cleanliness while others will use just one or the other. All depends on your own goals and desires, and how much convivence you want.

Have you tried just using the new Degritter Cleaning solution (about 1-ml/tank) followed by a rinse (use a 2nd tank)? Using the 2nd tank rinsing process helps to keep the temperature under control. With the 2-tank clean-rinse process, you may be able to cut your process time down to about 12-min (with the DG drying the record); using your vacuum-RCM for pre-clean only as required.

Just some thought.

Hi Neil. I am taking one step at the time. I still wet my records with Tergikleen before cleaning, but now use a second tank with distilled water only for rinsing, as you suggested. I did not relize that the DG2 offers a streamlined 2-tank workflow that makes swapping out the tanks very convenient. The whole proces now takes 10 min/record, including a final drying on my Project machine: 2 min wetting, 7 min DG2, 1 min drying. And no adverse heating up of the water in the tanks as I keep the tanks in a fridge next to the DG2, also between swaps. 6 records in 1 hr. Not bad.
One day, someone will have to compare sonic results Tergikleen vs DG fluid v2...

 

[tima]

Rinse to daylight !

I wonder to what extent the Degritter lads are influenced by the threads here.

 

[XCop5089]

I have owned a VPi HW-16.5 wet/vacuum record cleaning machine for the past sixteen years and I have recently augmented my cleaning regime with a Degritter MKII ultrasonic RCM, as well as a manual bath-type machine from SpinCare (I use their 12” inner liners for returning a cleaned record to it’s outer sleeve).

After researching and trying various record-cleaning solutions with both the VPi and Degritter machines, My interest was drawn to a very concentrated liquid called TergiKleen (contains Tergisol), which I sourced from the manufacturer’s US website (much cheaper than the EBay re-sellers) and the cost was £38 for a small bottle, which apparently has a two-year shelf life, once opened, and which you probably won’t use up within that time frame! The manufacturer advises the addition of 15-20 drops to treat a gallon of distilled water!

From ordering to delivery, took just 8 days, from the USA, via UK Customs - Impressive!

Anecdotal evidence from the internet recommends judicious application of distilled water to thoroughly rinse a TergiKleen-treated record. In fact the manufacturer goes so far as to recommend the acquisition of a garden pump-action sprayer, to thoroughly wet the record over a sink, following the application of the diluted TergiKleen solution! I thought that was a bit overkill, so here is my three stage method.

First, I give the record to be cleaned, a couple of “squirts” from my trusty Zerostat 3 anti-static pistol, followed up with air from my camera puffer, to remove any surface detritus.

Next, the record is immersed in the SpinCare manual RCM (it holds 800ml of distilled water, which has been previously de-gassed in the Degritter and to which 4 drops of TergiKleen solution has been added and mixed in).

The record is manually revolved (10 turns clockwise, 10 turns anti-clockwise), removed and one side laid on a SpinCare 12” square microfibre drying cloth and given a revolution to remove excess fluid on the underside.

The record is then transferred to the VPi machine, where distilled water is added from an applicator bottle and the fluid removed with the vacuum suction arm.

More distilled water is applied to the record surface and the VPi nylon brush used to work the water into the grooves. Again, all fluid is removed from the record surface via the vacuum suction arm.
Rinse number two is undertaken with distilled water and my Discwasher brush/pad (which I’ve owned since the 70’s) and the excess fluid once more removed with the vacuum suction arm.

The final rinse on the VPi RCM is with yet more distilled water and a Garrard goats hair brush.

After vacuuming the excess fluid from the record surface, the process is repeated with side two, before transferring to the Degritter MKII RCM for the final stage of cleaning.

I use only pure distilled water in the Degritter with two baths and 4mins 30 secs of drying time at the end.

The cleaned record is left to stand/air dry for an hour or so, before being inserted into a new, clean SpinCare liner and returned to it’s album sleeve and space in the record cabinet.

It is a time-consuming process, and I will clean 10-20 records in a sitting, before I’ve had enough!

Playing a record so cleaned on my turntable results in vanishingly low levels of surface noise and should extend the life of my cartridge/stylus.

 

[tima]

Playing a record so cleaned on my turntable results in vanishingly low levels of surface noise and should extend the life of my cartridge/stylus.

Fascinating. That is quite the regimen, thanks for sharing it with us.

How do you find your process more effective than using only the Degritter?

 

[XCop5089]

Fascinating. That is quite the regimen, thanks for sharing it with us.

How do you find your process more effective than using only the Degritter?

As I pointed out, I only use this three-stage deep-clean process to clean records that I have owned for many decades (including those bought second hand) that have never been cleaned and played on many different turntables etc.

Records bought new today are only cleaned in the Degritter MKII.

The TergiKleen additive does seem to have a positive restorative effect on very old vinyl.

Vinyl records which I inherited, when my brother (who was a heavy pipe smoker) passed away in 2016, have cleaned up amazingly, using my three-stage process.

 

[Packgrog]

As I pointed out, I only use this three-stage deep-clean process to clean records that I have owned for many decades (including those bought second hand) that have never been cleaned and played on many different turntables etc.

Records bought new today are only cleaned in the Degritter MKII.

The TergiKleen additive does seem to have a positive restorative effect on very old vinyl.

Vinyl records which I inherited, when my brother (who was a heavy pipe smoker) passed away in 2016, have cleaned up amazingly, using my three-stage process.

Just an FYI, Neil has stated many times that TergiKleen is not ideal, as it's a mix of Tergitols, one of which is not water soluble. Just using Tergitol 15-S-9 is more ideal. The downside of that, of course, is that you wind up with a massive supply of Tergitol that's difficult to use up. The dispenser size of TergiKleen would mean less potential waste. It'd be nice if you are in a group of vinyl enthusiasts in your local area so that you could portion it out more effectively.

 

[Neil.Antin]

Just an FYI, Neil has stated many times that TergiKleen is not ideal, as it's a mix of Tergitols, one of which is not water soluble. Just using Tergitol 15-S-9 is more ideal. The downside of that, of course, is that you wind up with a massive supply of Tergitol that's difficult to use up. The dispenser size of TergiKleen would mean less potential waste. It'd be nice if you are in a group of vinyl enthusiasts in your local area so that you could portion it out more effectively.

If it's any consolation, the Tergitol 15-S-9 will likely last well beyond 10-years. Also, Tergitol 15-S-9 is not available in the UK. However, for those in the UK, a near equivalent is Dehypon LS54 - https://conservation-resources.co.uk/products/dehypon which those in the US cannot easily purchase. Tergikleen which is a mix of Tergitol 15-S-3 which is not water soluble and Tergitol 15-S-9 which is water soluble does not mix as quickly and does not rinse as easily as just using Dehypon LS54 or Tergitol 15-S-9. However, since @XCop5089 has already purchased the Tergikleen, he may as well as use, and how he is using it with a good rinse, should avoid the risk of residue.

Take care,
Neil

 

[mika75]

If it's any consolation, the Tergitol 15-S-9 will likely last well beyond 10-years. Also, Tergitol 15-S-9 is not available in the UK. However, for those in the UK, a near equivalent is Dehypon LS54 - https://conservation-resources.co.uk/products/dehypon which those in the US cannot easily purchase. Tergikleen which is a mix of Tergitol 15-S-3 which is not water soluble and Tergitol 15-S-9 which is water soluble does not mix as quickly and does not rinse as easily as just using Dehypon LS54 or Tergitol 15-S-9. However, since @XCop5089 has already purchased the Tergikleen, he may as well as use, and how he is using it with a good rinse, should avoid the risk of residue.

Take care,
Neil

Hi Neil,

I live in the UK and can get LS54 but how much would you recommend I use in my degritter tank (I have another tank for rinsing)?
Thank you.

Michael

 

[Neil.Antin]

Hi Neil,

I live in the UK and can get LS54 but how much would you recommend I use in my degritter tank (I have another tank for rinsing)?
Thank you.

Michael

Michael,

See the book https://thevinylpress.com/precision-aqueous-cleaning-of-vinyl-records-3rd-edition/, Chapter XIV, Table XXIII Nalgene™ Dropper Bottle Use for Degritter™ & Humminguru™

Take care,

Neil

 

[mika75]

Michael,

See the book https://thevinylpress.com/precision-aqueous-cleaning-of-vinyl-records-3rd-edition/, Chapter XIV, Table XXIII Nalgene™ Dropper Bottle Use for Degritter™ & Humminguru™

Take care,

Neil

Thank you Neil.

Much appreciated!

Michael

 

[wimsefisk]

If it's any consolation, the Tergitol 15-S-9 will likely last well beyond 10-years. Also, Tergitol 15-S-9 is not available in the UK. However, for those in the UK, a near equivalent is Dehypon LS54 - https://conservation-resources.co.uk/products/dehypon which those in the US cannot easily purchase. Tergikleen which is a mix of Tergitol 15-S-3 which is not water soluble and Tergitol 15-S-9 which is water soluble does not mix as quickly and does not rinse as easily as just using Dehypon LS54 or Tergitol 15-S-9. However, since @XCop5089 has already purchased the Tergikleen, he may as well as use, and how he is using it with a good rinse, should avoid the risk of residue.

Take care,
Neil

I am new to (decent) record cleaning and the Degritter MKii (just got one), so this may be a stupid question, but: My process is: Spraying diluted tergikleen on a record and distributing it on the record by a soft brush. Then putting the record in the degritter running a two tank programme with distilled water in both tanks. I have two questions. Will/how fast will the water in the second tank (used for a rinse in the programme) getting 'polluted' with the tergikleen transferred from the record and the water being in the first tank? How big of a problem will it be and does I need to change the water more than after 30 runs as advised in the Degritter manual? The second question being: Using this approach will it add anything to the cleaning result if I further add the Degritter fluid in the tank (tank 1)? Thanking you so much in advance - best regards, Søren

 

[Jim in Missouri]

I am new to (decent) record cleaning and the Degritter MKii (just got one), so this may be a stupid question, but: My process is: Spraying diluted tergikleen on a record and distributing it on the record by a soft brush. Then putting the record in the degritter running a two tank programme with distilled water in both tanks. I have two questions. Will/how fast will the water in the second tank (used for a rinse in the programme) getting 'polluted' with the tergikleen transferred from the record and the water being in the first tank? How big of a problem will it be and does I need to change the water more than after 30 runs as advised in the Degritter manual? The second question being: Using this approach will it add anything to the cleaning result if I further add the Degritter fluid in the tank (tank 1)? Thanking you so much in advance - best regards, Søren

Others will come along and comment, but as someone who has used various cleaning methods, settling on a three tank system (with manual cleaning and vacuum extraction first for very dirty records), I'll just start off with a couple of suggestions. First, if you didn't start by using the Degritter cleaning fluid as prescribed, you might want to try that for awhile, just to get a baseline for comparing your other cleaning method.

Second, if you are not using distilled or deionized water, you'll want to read up on them and decide which one you want to use.

Third, "pollution" is relative, but in order to assess how each cleaning cycle affects whatever you have in the tank, it's best to get yourself an inexpensive TDS meter take a reading after each cleaning cycle, jotting them down and through listening, decide for yourself what TDS rise is acceptable for you. For instance, the water I use regularly tests around 0.03 - 0.04 ppm. My first tank cleaning solution may start at 0.08 ppm after degassing. Because I'm using three tanks, I can let the second get to 3.0 ppm before changing it out. The third I change around 1.3 ppm.

This is the TDS meter I use. I purchased it after having conversations with other Degritter MKII users.

https://www.amazon.com/HM-Digital-COM100-Waterproof-Temperature/dp/B0045LQFTK?pd_rd_w=Dojn1&content-id=amzn1.sym.97c08ff8-4f39-4f9e-b360-8dbdbec34ee6&pf_rd_p=97c08ff8-4f39-4f9e-b360-8dbdbec34ee6&pf_rd_r=Y40466EBRT0QMWWJ5YB6&pd_rd_wg=vM0Dq&pd_rd_r=f13d182d-936e-4cf6-aa0e-35aa15210da7&pd_rd_i=B0045LQFTK&ref_=pd_basp_d_rpt_ba_s_2_t&th=1

@Neil.Antin can speak to how tergikleen used in the manner you're describing is likely to affect the PPM of your fresh cleaning tank.

 

[Neil.Antin]

I am new to (decent) record cleaning and the Degritter MKii (just got one), so this may be a stupid question, but: My process is: Spraying diluted tergikleen on a record and distributing it on the record by a soft brush. Then putting the record in the degritter running a two tank programme with distilled water in both tanks. I have two questions. Will/how fast will the water in the second tank (used for a rinse in the programme) getting 'polluted' with the tergikleen transferred from the record and the water being in the first tank? How big of a problem will it be and does I need to change the water more than after 30 runs as advised in the Degritter manual? The second question being: Using this approach will it add anything to the cleaning result if I further add the Degritter fluid in the tank (tank 1)? Thanking you so much in advance - best regards, Søren

Søren,
Congratulations on your new acquisition; it's an excellent machine. Regarding your 1st question (which is actually 2 questions), unable to answer (estimate) without first knowing the concentration of the Tergikleen solution you have prepared (how may drops per L) and how much are you spraying (ml, or how many pumps of the spray bottle) and are you spraying both sides of the record.

However, some years ago a member (@rDin) did some testing with Tergikleen in the Degritter and the results are summarized in this free book - https://thevinylpress.com/precision-aqueous-cleaning-of-vinyl-records-3rd-edition/, Chapter XIV - XIV.8.1 Tergikleen™ at a solution concentration of about 260 ppm (1 mL/1-US-gal) left a residue that was audible and noted as a “veiling” of the music. However, the product produced no foam as expected because of the Dow™ Tergitol™ 15-S-3 which is also a defoaming agent (see paragraph IX.9 for further details). If you download this book, suggest taking a look at Table XXIII Nalgene™ Dropper Bottle Use for Degritter™ & Humminguru™.

Regarding the 2nd question, I strongly suggest that you do not add the Degritter fluid to Tank 1. The Degritter fluid is a very complex cleaning solution, and how it or the Tergikleen will react is unknown. Keep in mind that the Degritter has a fairly complex pump/filter system with automatic valves and the pump and can be damaged by inappropriate cleaning agents or combinations thereof.

EDIT: Regarding @Jim in Missouri comments, Tergikleen is nonionic and will not alter the total dissolved solids (TDS) reading of a TDS meter. Regarding his recommended TDS levels for replacement, this can be very individual. Jim works to achieve the best possible. Most people are fine with TDS at 10-ppm. But everyone is different, and the best cleaning process is the one that is best for you.

Take care,
Neil

 

[wimsefisk]

Søren,
Congratulations on your new acquisition; it's an excellent machine. Regarding your 1st question (which is actually 2 questions), unable to answer (estimate) without first knowing the concentration of the Tergikleen solution you have prepared (how may drops per L) and how much are you spraying (ml, or how many pumps of the spray bottle) and are you spraying both sides of the record.

However, some years ago a member (@rDin) did some testing with Tergikleen in the Degritter and the results are summarized in this free book - https://thevinylpress.com/precision-aqueous-cleaning-of-vinyl-records-3rd-edition/, Chapter XIV - XIV.8.1 Tergikleen™ at a solution concentration of about 260 ppm (1 mL/1-US-gal) left a residue that was audible and noted as a “veiling” of the music. However, the product produced no foam as expected because of the Dow™ Tergitol™ 15-S-3 which is also a defoaming agent (see paragraph IX.9 for further details). If you download this book, suggest taking a look at Table XXIII Nalgene™ Dropper Bottle Use for Degritter™ & Humminguru™.

Regarding the 2nd question, I strongly suggest that you do not add the Degritter fluid to Tank 1. The Degritter fluid is a very complex cleaning solution, and how it or the Tergikleen will react is unknown. Keep in mind that the Degritter has a fairly complex pump/filter system with automatic valves and the pump and can be damaged by inappropriate cleaning agents or combinations thereof.

EDIT: Regarding @Jim in Missouri comments, Tergikleen is nonionic and will not alter the total dissolved solids (TDS) reading of a TDS meter. Regarding his recommended TDS levels for replacement, this can be very individual. Jim works to achieve the best possible. Most people are fine with TDS at 10-ppm. But everyone is different, and the best cleaning process is the one that is best for you.

Take care,
Neil

@Jim in Missouri and @Neil.Antin

Neil and Jim,
Thank you SO much for your time and input. It is highly appreciated.

Let me first and foremost - before getting into details - stress: I have now cleaned some 60 records with the Degritter mk ii and I must say the results are absolutely stunning. It feels like the biggest hifi upgrade ever - like both getting an entire new record collection and a completely new hifi set at the same time! The general impression is an huge improvement in 'calmness/background silence' (an effect a bit like my best japanese pressings on virgin vinyl) and the music has a huge improvement in clarity and detail. Even once a while noticing instruments and sounds that I did not hear or notice before.

I love the notion by Neil that there is no one right way. So many factors and variables and different context's. A bit about my context. I do not have the possibility to have an extra vacuum cleaner as it sounds like you have Jim. My family and I live in an apartment in Copenhagen and do not have an extra HIFI-room let alone a record cleaning room. Just to get some space for the Degritter was a challenge to my WAF-credit ;-) The records I have (and clean) are maybe 10% newly pressed albums. The majority of the albums is from my own old collection bought in the 80's and 90's and then I enjoy very much going to shops and fares buying used records. I would any day by miles prefer an original (old) pressing from reissues no matter the price.

The general condition of my records are good. Well they look pretty okay. I have noticed that many people talk about cleaning 'very dirty records'. But what is that? All my records looks relatively clean, but being 30, 40 or even 50 years old I am sure they will have a lot of dirt in the grooves (it sure sounds like it after the Degritter clean!). For the past years I have manually 'cleaned' a large part of my collection by putting some "MOFI Super Record Wash" on the records. I have absolutely no idea what it is or what it does. I just thought I cleaned the record - LOL - but now getting your comments and reading about all this cleaning I am wondering if I just put on some surfactant on without rinsing/removing it!

Anyhow: With the Degritter I use distilled water. In terms of the process described above with the Degritter I have used 5-7 puffs of the diluted Tergikleen on each side. The diluted Tergikleen was about 3-5 drops in a 1/2 liter (17 oz) of water. I am wondering if it has been way too much!? I think I was just thinking: the more the better!! From your comments I have now decided to give all the first 60 albums that I cleaned an extra clean with a fresh tank of just distilled and no surfactant. But I guess that if I have still a considerable amount of residue from the Tegikleen left on the records from the above two tank process it will still somehow pollute the water. But all equal - in a much lower pace. And I did start with my original 96' pressing of George Michael's Older

Going forward. Actually, I am really unsure what the Tergikleen and the Degritter fluid does and what it helps with!? And when to use or not use it!? I have seen and read various and it seems like there are quite different views on using surfactant (or other cleaning fluids) or not! Though, there seem to be general concensus that if one do apply surfactant it is vital to rinse the record afterwards and get rid of any residue of the surfactant (as also noted in the passage you refer to in your impressive book Neil). And for sure I will avoid using both the Tergikleen and the Degritter fluid at the same time. Thanks!

Sounds interesting with TDS meter. But, do I understand Neil's comment right that it does not measure the possible ongoing increasing levels of residue from eg. the Tergikleen?

Jim and Neil: In my case (and with the described 'context') would you a) use the Tergikleen (used like described above putting it on the record prior to taking it in the Degritter and the two tank programme) - and then maybe later giving it an extra only water clean with a fresh tank of distilled water, b) use the Degritter fluid (in the tank) or C) Not use anything but water?

I do find it extremely difficult to use a (comparable) 'ear test'!

Best regards, Søren

 

[tima]

Jim and Neil: In my case (and with the described 'context') would you a) use the Tergikleen (used like described above putting it on the record prior to taking it in the Degritter and the two tank programme) - and then maybe later giving it an extra only water clean with a fresh tank of distilled water, b) use the Degritter fluid (in the tank) or C) Not use anything but water?

The Web tells me Tergitol 15-S-9 is available in Denmark. Neil may know other sources.

You could start with ~15 Nalgene dropper bottle drops of Tergitol 15-S-9 in 1.3 liter distilled water followed by a clean distilled water rinse. You may be able to increase incrementally to ~20 drops, dialing back if there is too much foam.

As Neil notes a TDS meter will not measure non-ionic chemicals (Tergitol), but you can measure distilled water used for wash or rinse with one. Given the variable amount of dirt removed from any given record, it can help you gauge when to change wash and rinse tanks rather than going by a fixed record count.

 

[Jim in Missouri]

EDIT: Regarding @Jim in Missouri comments, Tergikleen is nonionic and will not alter the total dissolved solids (TDS) reading of a TDS meter. Regarding his recommended TDS levels for replacement, this can be very individual. Jim works to achieve the best possible. Most people are fine with TDS at 10-ppm. But everyone is different, and the best cleaning process is the one that is best for you.

Take care,
Neil

I totally agree, Neil and should have mentioned that I wasn't making a recommendation on TDS levels, only using my preferences as an example to illustrate the benefits of having a TDS meter. I'll just add that as much as I was cleaning records, say, a year ago, these days I might not clean anything for months. Not that I don't have records that need to be processed. It's just that my interest in doing the work has wained as my focus has been on home remodeling jobs that have been piling up. Looks like @rDin is still at it, though! ;-) - Jim

 

[rDin]

Looks like @rDin is still at it, though!

Still at it, but much less cleaning these days due to slow down of purchases thanks to rising prices and falling storage space!

 

[Neil.Antin]

With the Degritter I use distilled water. In terms of the process described above with the Degritter I have used 5-7 puffs of the diluted Tergikleen on each side. The diluted Tergikleen was about 3-5 drops in a 1/2 liter (17 oz) of water. I am wondering if it has been way too much!?

The manufacturer of Tergikleen https://tergikleen.net/ recommends mixing 15-20-drops per US gallon (3785-ml). On average, each drop is about 0.05-ml, so worst case, 20-drop = 1-ml/3785-ml = 0.0264% = ~264-ppm. The manufacturer recommends that records cleaned with this concentration be rinsed with DIW. Your use of 3-5-drops/0.5-L = 0.25-ml/500-ml = 0.05% = 500-ppm.

The purpose of Tergikleen at the recommended concentration (0.0264%) is to reduce the surface tension of water and for some detergency. However, for detergency you need to agitate the solution with a brush (or in a UT tank) to maximize cleaning efficiency, but it needs to be rinsed with DIW. However, if applying at you are using, for best cleaning you should be brushing it to loosen surface junk before placing in the Degritter. The disadvantage of not performing a preclean process before the Degritter is you contaminate the Degritter quick as @Jim in Missouri says.

Back to your situation, 5-7 puffs of a spray bottle will probably apply about 2.5-ml per side. So, about 5-mL of the 0.05% Tergikleen solution is added for every record cleaned. At a concentration of 0.05% = 500-ppm = 500-mg/L or 0.5mg/ml. If each record adds about 5-ml x 0.5-mg/ml = 2.5-mg Tergikleen is added to the 1400-ml Degritter tank for every record cleaned; and this raises the Degritter tank by (2.5mg/1.4-L) = 1.8-ppm per record. For best Degritter rinse performance using the 2nd tank to rinse (not including junk cleaned from the record and solution left in the plumbing system) you want the cleaning solution concentration less than 75-ppm.

So, theoretically (not including junk cleaned from the record or solution left behind) (75-ppm-tank max)/(1.8-ppm per record) = 40-records. However, again, this does not include junk cleaned from the record or the fluid left in the plumbing system. If you want to be conservative, refresh the 1st cleaning tank every 20-records, and you may need to refresh the rinse tank every 10 to 15-records.

Reducing the Tergikleen concentration to the vendor recommendation of 0.0264% and applying individually to the record may get the cleaning tank out to 30 records. You do not want the Tergikleen concentration to get too high since it contains an insoluble ingredient that may prematurely foul the filter - keep an eye on the filter.

The alternative to Tergikleen, and spraying the record individually, is adding a simple nonionic surfactant to reduce the tank solution surface tension (and maybe detergency) for improved cleaning efficiency. The nonionic surfactant recommended by @tima is used by many, and the concentration varies from 0.0035 -0.0050% for no-rinse wetting, 0.0075% for minimal detergency and maybe no-rinse depending on you hearing sensitivity, or 0.0135% for detergency with rinse - see the book Chapter XIV, Table XXIII Nalgene™ Dropper Bottle Use for Degritter™ & Humminguru™. Or you can try the Degritter solution - it needs to be rinsed. Not everyone has had good luck with it.

Sorry, but the devil is in details, and if you want what the machine can offer, you need to somewhat pay attention to the details. And for those whose goal is best achievable, you sweat the details. But remember it's all about what is best for you.

Take care and Good Luck.
Neil