5ml won't get you very far, I find the H2SO4 can dehydrate 2x 37%HCL, so 2.5ml of H2SO4. You could really use a petcock, once you drop the hcl, the gas happens so fast, you'll gas yourself if youre not in position. Bubbling the gas through sulfuric acid is my preffered drying method. I've seen people use a lot less than even you suggest