Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

the only affordable IBC near me is a company that says they contained bleach, but they say PHOS 50 on them. i called the company that is in the tote, Univar, but they would only confirm that it was phosphorus 50%. im thinking it was phosphoric acid. thoughts?

Some people use phosphoric acid specifically to lower ph in aquaponics and hydroponics.

I have never used it, but it is supposed to be safe when mixed with top up water and not directly added to the fish tank.

With that being said, I think it would be safe, as long as you rinse them out well, and run your system without fish for a while to cycle and what not. I don't think the amount absorbed would harm the fish when diluted. I don't think there would be enough in the plastic to drastically effect your ph. But if you did set it up without fish, you could see what happens with the ph, and adjust accordingly if you need to.

Another thing to consider, is that phosphorous can promote algae growth, so you would probably want to make sure you limit sunlight by wrapping, painting, or cladding the tanks. IBC plastic isn't very UV stable, so this is a good idea anyways.

I am not a chemist, nor do i play one on television, so take what I say with a grain of NACL....