Ei Stock Solution Colonized

[hakova]

Hi there,

I have been using ferts via EI protocol as described here. Basically I prepared a 600 ml solution for NPK and a 250 ml solution for CSM+B. I am dosing 25 ml of NPK 3 times weekly and 12.5 ml of CSM+B twice weekly to my 10 gallon tank. So far, I am happy about it.

This morning, however, I saw floaters in the NPK solution. I am pretty sure they are bacteria colonies. I keep both solutions in brown glass bottles to protect them from light. I used distilled water to solve the powders about 3-4 weeks ago, and I am still using that original solution as above. I neither filtered the solution nor boiled it after preparing it. Was I supposed to do such things to prevent bacterial colonization? Or should I just relax and keep dosing? This situation worries me, because I don't want to inject a solution with colonization of unknown bacteria in my tank. I just lost one of my Harlequin Rasboras due to a possible bacterial infection on top of everything. I don't mind preparing a new stock solution, but it will get colonized eventually, too. So, what would you recommend?

Any response will be greatly appreciated.

 

[zesty]

Have a read here http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showto...104737&st=0

It mentions keeping the solution in the fridge and even adding 0.5ml of normal hydrochloric acid.

Im gonna go with the fridge method with mine, I could just imagine the look on the chemists face as I try to explain why I want some acid lol.

 

[hakova]

Thanks for the link. From now on I will keep them in the fridge, too. I hope this will be enough to prevent colonization.

 

[baron von bubba]

Have a read here <a href="http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showto...104737&st=0" target="_blank">http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showto...104737&st=0</a>

It mentions keeping the solution in the fridge and even adding 0.5ml of normal hydrochloric acid.

Im gonna go with the fridge method with mine, I could just imagine the look on the chemists face as I try to explain why I want some acid lol.

that is the trace

"Trace mix - 15g to 250ml of water will give you about the same concentration as the ‘off the shelf’ products. It is also a good idea, if you can, to add 0.5ml Normal hydrochloric acid as this helps to prevent the chelator from breaking down. Some people complain of mould growing on top of the solution - keeping it in the fridge should help prevent this and prolong it’s life. "

the npk should really be fine just sat under the tank.

edit.
ah i miss read you made an all in one solution. it does say this in the post linked above.

"It is possible to add the solutions into one bottle except for the trace mix as, depending on the chelator used, the iron could react with the phosphate. Generally speaking it is a good idea to make the solutions up in separate bottles until you are comfortable with the dosing. "