phosphoric acid

magakitty

magakitty

Normal people scare me
Apr 5, 2007
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Palm Springs
mysobrietyspace.ning.com
trying to find a locally available aquarium product with phosphoric acid, or mono or di sodium phosphate. Fritz makes a ph lower that has it, but can't find another one that is generally available. Everything I have found so far says "phosphate free". My tank is in phosphate block, which is causing the cycle to stall in the nitrite spike. Been about 2 weeks that nitrite has been over 10 and water changes help very little, and for a very short time. The ammonia is back up from 0 to .25. Exhaustive research has led me to the information that nitrifiers need phosphoric acid or phosphate to effectively reproduce. It is, apparently, rare that a tank gets phosphate block, but it does happen and low doses of phosphate can get it started again. i know this sounds counter productive, but it is apparently the best answer short of breaking the tank down and starting over. Apparently something is blocking or rendering unavailable, the phosphate in the water.

Does anyone know of a product available in one of the big-box stores, or in most LFS's?

Thanks
 
basically - this is what I found - lights (grow lights only) off for 3-4 days, raise the PH and add a wee small amount of phosphoric acid (5 drops of 31% solution)
 
You could add phosphates with Fleet Enema. Sold at most Pharmacies. Read packaging though as some kinds have phosphates and others have mineral oil.

But I agree, try a large water change first and see how that goes.
 
Most cheaper fish foods have phosphates too, you could add a few pinches a day to get it going. As the food rots that would also provide ammonia.
 
Started to do a 100% change today, but hubby had such a had time catching the danios to put them in the bucket, that he decided to pour them back in to the tank. I was less than happy, to say the least. About 1 1/2 - 2 gals of old water went back into the tank - so I ended up with about an 85% PCW.

I tested about an hour later and the ammonia is <.25 (trace), the 'trites are 3.0 and the 'trates are 10. The 'trites had been too high to measure with any test we have (strips and liquid) for about 2 weeks. The LFS told me no PCW's until the tank got unstuck, but after 2 weeks, I didn't think it was going to get "unstuck" or "un-stalled" anytime soon and I was worried about the fish. They have shown no signs of distress, but it can't be good for them. I'm surprised they aren't dead.

The 'trites must have been through the roof to still be at 3.0 with an 85% PCW and a deep vac.
 
I agree you are in a fishey cycle. I would be doing so many water changes that I would never see a spike of any type.
 
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