Food Grade Phosphoric Acid

[fishtk75]

Is Food Grade Phosphoric Acid stronger then vinegar?

 

[c0mp|ex]

Phosphoric acid has a pka of ~2 and acetic acid has a pka ~5 so yes.

 

[fishtk75]

Phosphoric acid has a pka of ~2 and acetic acid has a pka ~5 so yes.

I asking as the Hydor cleaner is said to be Phosphoric acid.

 

[fishflorist]

what is Phosphoric Acid used for , in a marine aquarium ?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Presumably to clean equipment with calcium carbonate deposits, unless you are a very rare individual who wants to dose phosphate.

The question is how concentrated is it. One cannot know the pH without knowing how much is there (and how much is water), but I'd expect it has a lower pH than vinegar but higher than muriatic acid.

That said, you'd want to rinse things off a lot better using it than with either vinegar or muriatic acid since residual phosphate would not be desirable.

 

[fishflorist]

I use vinegar to rinse off the corallin algae on my flow pumps. just throw them into vinegar and sleep, then wake up in the morning , the pump is clean as a new one.

 

[fishtk75]

Presumably to clean equipment with calcium carbonate deposits, unless you are a very rare individual who wants to dose phosphate.

The question is how concentrated is it. One cannot know the pH without knowing how much is there (and how much is water), but I'd expect it has a lower pH than vinegar but higher than muriatic acid.

That said, you'd want to rinse things off a lot better using it than with either vinegar or muriatic acid since residual phosphate would not be desirable.

Thank you for your reply.
I just got some and want to make sure how safe it maybe.
I weight one packet at 42grams of 95% Amino Trimethylene Phosphonic Acid.
That mixes with 1/2 Gallon water and soak equipment for 2 hours.
After I use this up I am using vinegar I do not need more phosphates. Trying something new to how it works.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Ah, so it isn't phosphoric acid. That compound can be degraded by bacteria into useful nitrogen and phosphorus for them, and they may in turn release phosphate, but it is not simply phosphoric acid to begin with.

I'd rinse very well after use.

 

[fishtk75]

Ah, so it isn't phosphoric acid. That compound can be degraded by bacteria into useful nitrogen and phosphorus for them, and they may in turn release phosphate, but it is not simply phosphoric acid to begin with.

I'd rinse very well after use.

Thank you

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

You're welcome.

Happy Reefing.