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#1
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Adding Potassium - any thoughts
I need to add Nitrate and probably Potassium to my tank in order to get the
plants to grow and algae to die off (hopefully). My Nitrates are 0 (when I add Flora Grow or other substance it increases slightly, when I perform a water change it increases a lot) not long after (in days) its back to 0 and there seems to be far more hair algae (some brush is appearing as well) covering all my plants. I inject CO2 as well. Its bloody frustrating. So apart from the 3% potassium that the flora grow will put in (which is expensive as well) - I have purchased some Sulphate of Potash......for garden usage. It says on the packet that it has 49-50% K2O - but it doesn't state other chemicals. It's very white and very fine grained and looks like cocaine (as if I would spot it even if it were put in front of me - lol). Anyway if I catch the fish using straws and floating around the living room, then I know something has gone horribly wrong - lol lol. My question is - is this stuff suitable for an aquarium when sufficiently diluted and where can I find the maths for diluting it properly. I live in the UK and the product is http://www.gemgardening.co.uk/prodlist.asp?val=veg however, has anyone else used this at all. I would hate to kill off all the fish in an experiment to get rid of algae. I have read, on the Krib that about 3/4 teaspoon for my 250L (66G) tank should be enough per week. But I would like to make up a solution so that it can be added easily. Does anyone know what I can buy for the KNO3 please....In the UK..... Thanks in advance Martin |
#2
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Adding Potassium - any thoughts
"Martin" wrote in
: I need to add Nitrate and probably Potassium to my tank in order to get the plants to grow and algae to die off (hopefully). My Nitrates are 0 (when I add Flora Grow or other substance it increases slightly, when I perform a water change it increases a lot) not long after (in days) its back to 0 and there seems to be far more hair algae (some brush is appearing as well) covering all my plants. I inject CO2 as well. Its bloody frustrating. So apart from the 3% potassium that the flora grow will put in (which is expensive as well) - I have purchased some Sulphate of Potash......for garden usage. It says on the packet that it has 49-50% K2O - but it doesn't state other chemicals. It's very white and very fine grained and looks like cocaine (as if I would spot it even if it were put in front of me - lol). Anyway if I catch the fish using straws and floating around the living room, then I know something has gone horribly wrong - lol lol. My question is - is this stuff suitable for an aquarium when sufficiently diluted and where can I find the maths for diluting it properly. I live in the UK and the product is http://www.gemgardening.co.uk/prodlist.asp?val=veg however, has anyone else used this at all. I would hate to kill off all the fish in an experiment to get rid of algae. I have read, on the Krib that about 3/4 teaspoon for my 250L (66G) tank should be enough per week. But I would like to make up a solution so that it can be added easily. Does anyone know what I can buy for the KNO3 please....In the UK..... Thanks in advance Martin I don't know about that stuff you have, but if you need anything like that, try to find a hydroponics store near you. I found everything to make a couple year's worth of PMDD for about $10. |
#3
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Adding Potassium - any thoughts
Hydroponics don't exist in the UK.
Sorry I can't help you with your white powder (maybe you can sell it on some backstreet and do a runner ? ;-)) KentMarine have just released a whole load of FW Fertilizers. I have just ordered the Potassium from them. As soon as it arrives, I let you know what else (apart from Potassium) it contains. Hope you get help with your powder Greetings Mad |
#4
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Adding Potassium - any thoughts
I would not mess with individual component fertilzer as it will just
frusterate novice. It could help if you know the deficiency you are dealing with. though. Potassium is always safe to add moderately. Really there is no magic here. The requirements are -2-4 watts per gallon of fluorecent T8, PC, or T5 lighting 8-10 hrs per day in small tanks - Alkalinity 80 ppm, Hardness of 120-80 ppm depending on area you live that is good for south american plants - pH controller with co2 diffuser to pH 6.7 to 6.8 (this is called high tech in some circles) when this is set correctly then.... -add potassium sulfate at 1/4 teaspoon week per 200 liters with 25% weekly water changes. This will reduce nitrates and appearance of green peas soup water. It may come and go still within first 3-5 months of setup though. - when nitrates are zero at 1ml per 20 liters of PMDD recipe (33gm MgSO4, 14 gm KSO4, 6 gm KNO3) and discontinue adding potassium sulfate. I use an Eheim Liquidoser and it works great because I am too busy to do this. -Shortly after I will use 1/2 dosage of Tropica Master grow weekly. With the liquidoser 35 usd, pH controller 200 usd, diffuser 60 usd, and regulator 100 usd, and bubble counter 20 usd, and light timer 25 usd. I have an almost algae free tank with only feeding and weekly water changes required. Anything can be grown with this recipe. I made my own micronutrients as well using Fe-EDDHA wich is difficult to obtain with other DTPA/EDTA of Cu,MO, MN Zn. The Iron is very soluble and available in that form.I can sell One liter bottles to anyone who cares further experiment . It really does work great. Slow Leak "Madpiano" wrote in message ... Hydroponics don't exist in the UK. Sorry I can't help you with your white powder (maybe you can sell it on some backstreet and do a runner ? ;-)) KentMarine have just released a whole load of FW Fertilizers. I have just ordered the Potassium from them. As soon as it arrives, I let you know what else (apart from Potassium) it contains. Hope you get help with your powder Greetings Mad |
#5
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Adding Potassium - any thoughts
"Madpiano" wrote in message ... Hydroponics don't exist in the UK. Sorry I can't help you with your white powder (maybe you can sell it on some backstreet and do a runner ? ;-)) KentMarine have just released a whole load of FW Fertilizers. I have just ordered the Potassium from them. As soon as it arrives, I let you know what else (apart from Potassium) it contains. Hope you get help with your powder Greetings Mad Have a look here. http://www.1-hydroponics.co.uk/main.htm and this Google search gives plenty more. http://makeashorterlink.com/?R26732E64 -- Don`t Worry, Be Happy Sandy -- E-Mail:- Website:- http://www.ftscotland.co.uk IRC:- Sandyb in #rabble uk3.arcnet.vapor.com Port:6667 #Rabble Channel Website:- http://www.ftscotland.co.uk/rabbled ICQ : 41266150 |
#6
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Adding Potassium - any thoughts
I bought some KNO3 from my local pharmacist, a real one, not Boots. You should also try this website
http://www.computercookbook.co.uk/chemicals. By the way , I am trying the Chempak trace element mix. I got it by mail order from :- http://www.longwoodgardencentre.co.u...alog/info.html Regds Paul "Martin" wrote in message ... I need to add Nitrate and probably Potassium to my tank in order to get the plants to grow and algae to die off (hopefully). My Nitrates are 0 (when I add Flora Grow or other substance it increases slightly, when I perform a water change it increases a lot) not long after (in days) its back to 0 and there seems to be far more hair algae (some brush is appearing as well) covering all my plants. I inject CO2 as well. Its bloody frustrating. So apart from the 3% potassium that the flora grow will put in (which is expensive as well) - I have purchased some Sulphate of Potash......for garden usage. It says on the packet that it has 49-50% K2O - but it doesn't state other chemicals. It's very white and very fine grained and looks like cocaine (as if I would spot it even if it were put in front of me - lol). Anyway if I catch the fish using straws and floating around the living room, then I know something has gone horribly wrong - lol lol. My question is - is this stuff suitable for an aquarium when sufficiently diluted and where can I find the maths for diluting it properly. I live in the UK and the product is http://www.gemgardening.co.uk/prodlist.asp?val=veg however, has anyone else used this at all. I would hate to kill off all the fish in an experiment to get rid of algae. I have read, on the Krib that about 3/4 teaspoon for my 250L (66G) tank should be enough per week. But I would like to make up a solution so that it can be added easily. Does anyone know what I can buy for the KNO3 please....In the UK..... Thanks in advance Martin |
#7
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Adding Potassium - any thoughts
I use the four fertilisers from gemgardening
1. sulphate of potash (K2O) 2. Nitrate of soda (NaNO3, sodium nitrate) 3. Superphosphate (P2O5, phosphorus pentoxide) 4. Garden Lime (CaO, Calcium Oxide). This when mixed with water becomes Ca(HO)2 calcium hydroxide, which then combines with CO2 in the water to form CaCO3 Calcium carbonate which increase my KH and GH. Ideally I would like some K2SO4 and KNO3 and also micro nutrients without any iron. But in the UK its impossable. |
#8
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Adding Potassium - any thoughts
Kelvyn,
Unless I am totally wrong - Sulphate of Potash is K20 + S, however, the S is in the form of Sulphate so what you have is actually K2SO4.... Anyway - I have just found a lab chemical outlet in UK called AvonChem (based in Macclesfield) - if its any good (and I will check tomorrow) then I am buying the chemicals direct - it works out at about 5.85 per kg for each one that I want (KNO3 and K2SO4) - that should be ample for 4 years of dosing - lol. I have now got all the maths that I need if anyone else wants it in digest form let me know and I will post it. Have obtained it from other sites - hope its all OK. Martin "Kelvyn Shaw" wrote in message ... I use the four fertilisers from gemgardening 1. sulphate of potash (K2O) 2. Nitrate of soda (NaNO3, sodium nitrate) 3. Superphosphate (P2O5, phosphorus pentoxide) 4. Garden Lime (CaO, Calcium Oxide). This when mixed with water becomes Ca(HO)2 calcium hydroxide, which then combines with CO2 in the water to form CaCO3 Calcium carbonate which increase my KH and GH. Ideally I would like some K2SO4 and KNO3 and also micro nutrients without any iron. But in the UK its impossable. |
#9
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Adding Potassium - any thoughts
I called Avonchem today to check if they would sell to private individuals
but they wouldnt. I am thinking about ordering from the USA. |
#10
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Adding Potassium - any thoughts
Kelvyn
Avonchem will not sell to individuals as I found out today, well they will sell to anyone as long as they are VAT registered - which seems stupid to me! and they have a £100 minimum order. There is also a company called Scientific and Chemical Supplies Limited - again no sale to those not VAT registered however, if you have a local aquarist (like I do) they are VAT registered and they should get it for you if you give them the details. The costs of KNO3 is £31 approx for 1 Kg which will last 4 years in a 250L tank. K2SO4 is £26 for 1 Kg. They are pricey but I later found a company that sold me the chemicals over the phone using a credit card - just try one or two from a search engine and Im sure one of them will. The main problem is getting them to deal in small amounts - S&C Supplies Ltd will do that but only to companies that have a proper turnover. They are obviously trying to prevent selling to stupid people that want to make the odd bomb or two. I mean that literally. I would be cautious about the USA - I would assume that's the sort of traffic customs are looking for even though it is legitimate. Martin "Kelvyn Shaw" wrote in message ... I called Avonchem today to check if they would sell to private individuals but they wouldnt. I am thinking about ordering from the USA. |
#11
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Adding Potassium - any thoughts
The sulphate of potash you already have is OK. It is potassium sulphate (K2SO4). The reference to K2O is only the way it's analysed.
I've previously posted convenient sources for KNO3, but you'll also need the K2SO4, as the nitrate doesn't give you enough potassium. http://www.csd.net/~cgadd/aqua/75g.htm is a good link for the calculations. You'll probably also need Epsom Salts (MgSO4.7H2O)for the magnesium. All trace element mixes I'm aware of in the UK contain chelated iron. Not quite sure why you wouldn't want iron. Paul "Martin" wrote in message ... Kelvyn Avonchem will not sell to individuals as I found out today, well they will sell to anyone as long as they are VAT registered - which seems stupid to me! and they have a £100 minimum order. There is also a company called Scientific and Chemical Supplies Limited - again no sale to those not VAT registered however, if you have a local aquarist (like I do) they are VAT registered and they should get it for you if you give them the details. The costs of KNO3 is £31 approx for 1 Kg which will last 4 years in a 250L tank. K2SO4 is £26 for 1 Kg. They are pricey but I later found a company that sold me the chemicals over the phone using a credit card - just try one or two from a search engine and Im sure one of them will. The main problem is getting them to deal in small amounts - S&C Supplies Ltd will do that but only to companies that have a proper turnover. They are obviously trying to prevent selling to stupid people that want to make the odd bomb or two. I mean that literally. I would be cautious about the USA - I would assume that's the sort of traffic customs are looking for even though it is legitimate. Martin "Kelvyn Shaw" wrote in message ... I called Avonchem today to check if they would sell to private individuals but they wouldnt. I am thinking about ordering from the USA. |
#12
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Adding Potassium - any thoughts
Paul,
I was under the impression that, as I have 100% flourite as the substrate, then this already has all the iron and trace elements that I may need - it is fractured clay. I believe the chemistry is OK for trace elements. Martin PS. I am actually getting laboratory grade KNO3 and K2SO4 now as I don't (100%) trust the gardening stuff not to have some nasty trace elements in it (like pesticides) (it won't go to waste though). |
#13
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Adding Potassium - any thoughts
I was under the impression that, as I have 100% flourite as the substrate,
then this already has all the iron and trace elements that I may need Flourite only provides iron. Which is what laterite provides. The other traces must be added, whether you use Flourite or laterite. Plus, some plants don't have much in the way of roots, and draw nutrients through their leaves. Flourite only feeds the roots. Leigh http://www.fortunecity.com/lavender/halloween/881/ |
#14
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Adding Potassium - any thoughts
The reason i want trace elements without Iron in them is because i have 100%
flourite gravel. You still need to add iron. Flourite only provides iron to plants that are root-feeders. Many aquarium plants don't have strong root systems and absorb most of their nutrients throught their leaves. In addition, some plants need more iron than just Flourite can provide. I routinely give my swords, crypts, and lotuses root tabs containing iron and other traces. Even in my 100% Flourite tank. Leigh http://www.fortunecity.com/lavender/halloween/881/ |
#15
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Adding Potassium - any thoughts
I think he still wants to dose iron, but wants to dose it less than the trace
would do. LeighMo wrote: The reason i want trace elements without Iron in them is because i have 100% flourite gravel. You still need to add iron. Flourite only provides iron to plants that are root-feeders. Many aquarium plants don't have strong root systems and absorb most of their nutrients throught their leaves. In addition, some plants need more iron than just Flourite can provide. I routinely give my swords, crypts, and lotuses root tabs containing iron and other traces. Even in my 100% Flourite tank. Leigh http://www.fortunecity.com/lavender/halloween/881/ |
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