Help - added 3 teaspoons of Mono Potassium Phosphate instead of Mg Sulfate - Fertilizing

Izzy · 07-01-2009, 03:53 PM

Stupid Stupid Mistake - added 3 teaspoons of Mono Potassium Phosphate instead of Mg Sulfate to my planted 75. I grabbed the wrong bag and blindly added it to the tank after a 50% water change. I'm now redoing the water change and will redo it later tonight. What removes / reduces phosphates in the water quickly? I cannot reschedule a dentist appointment, so I will not answer or give updates until 7pm est. Thanks for any assistance, I hope my 6 clowne loaches are not harmed.

Izzy · 07-01-2009, 05:29 PM

I only had time for a 30% water change at 5pm. Did a 50% beteween 6:30-7pm. I'm on my second 50% water change now at 8:30pm. The clowne loaches so far seem unphased by the phosphates. How many more and how frequent is too much or too little? Any thoughts....

SniperLk · 07-02-2009, 05:05 AM

Well, 3 teaspoons is approx 41ppm of PO4 :/

First WC 30% : 29ppm

2nd WC 50% : 14ppm

3rd WC : 50% : 7ppm

I would advise you to do one or two more. By the way I think you could have done bigger WC, like 80%.

rjfurbank · 07-02-2009, 05:20 AM

Hi,

I would just do another few WC's ~50% each over 1-2 days.

Also, some filter media is advertised to remove phosphate. I don't have any experience w/ this but it is an option as well.

Good luck!
-Roy

Izzy · 07-02-2009, 11:19 AM

Thanks for the calculation on the phosphate ppms. I will continue to do 50% water changes, atleast twice a day for the next 3 day. Just took a phosphate test and its over 5ppm but under 10ppm. The numbers are inline your calculations. The 75 is holding 65 gallons of water, its got 2+ inches of eco-complete on the bottom. The clown loaches seem in good spirits. They met me out front when I approached the tank today. Thanks for your insight.