Where will the new Potassium source come from?

[Ruadh]

I don't need any right now but I was at the hydroponic store the other day for trace and he told me he can no longer sell KNO3 in powder form because of all the B.S. He'll be mixing it with tap water, which is OK for him to sell. Now that's fine for small quantities but I use about 150 grams a week in my tank. Buying his water is going to be quite expensive.
This is going to be a growing (pun intended) problem with us.
Where are we going to get a descent supply of potassium in powder form?

Rick

[PPulcher]

It might be overkill, but just a thought. If your hydroponics guy can buy the powedered form, figure out what kind of permit/license he requires and see what it takes to get the same.

[Detritus Mulm]

Can always buy Mono Potassim Phosphate and Calcium Nitrate I guess. But I'm going to see if I can still get a lifetime supply of the good stuff before it's too late. :wink:

Thanks for the heads up.

[Melody]

I don't need any right now but I was at the hydroponic store the other day for trace and he told me he can no longer sell KNO3 in powder form because of all the B.S.


So let me get this straight, we can no longer get KNO3 because it's being replaced with BS. We need to write to someone about it. I know natural is all the rage, but I don't think BS in aquariums is going to be a good idea. :NoWay:

:Angel:

[Ruadh]

If only it were that easy, huh.
I don't know about B.C. but we've got our fair share of B.S. here in Alberta.

As far as getting permitted to buy dry KNO3, it's impossible for a regular guy to get. The store where I get my ferts had to jump through hoops and guarantee that he would be selling it anhydrous.

I wonder if Mono Potassim Phosphate (K (http://www.canadianaquariumconnection.com/wiki/Potassium)H (http://www.canadianaquariumconnection.com/wiki/Hydrogen)2P (http://www.canadianaquariumconnection.com/wiki/Phosphorus)O (http://www.canadianaquariumconnection.com/wiki/Oxygen)4) would put too much phosphate in the tank?


So let me get this straight, we can no longer get KNO3 because it's being replaced with BS. We need to write to someone about it. I know natural is all the rage, but I don't think BS in aquariums is going to be a good idea. :NoWay:

:Angel:

[Detritus Mulm]

If only it were that easy, huh.
I don't know about B.C. but we've got our fair share of B.S. here in Alberta.

As far as getting permitted to buy dry KNO3, it's impossible for a regular guy to get. The store where I get my ferts had to jump through hoops and guarantee that he would be selling it anhydrous.

I wonder if Mono Potassim Phosphate (K (http://www.canadianaquariumconnection.com/wiki/Potassium)H (http://www.canadianaquariumconnection.com/wiki/Hydrogen)2P (http://www.canadianaquariumconnection.com/wiki/Phosphorus)O (http://www.canadianaquariumconnection.com/wiki/Oxygen)4) would put too much phosphate in the tank?

Yeah, you're right, that's a lot of Phosphates. I used to use Potassium Sulphate before the KNO3.

[Ruadh]

That might be the answer. K2SO4.
I wonder if the sulphur would have an adverse effect on plants or fish?



Yeah, you're right, that's a lot of Phosphates. I used to use Potassium Sulphate before the KNO3.

[PPulcher]

When I was doing the CO2/EI dosing thing, I used the KNO3 to add mostly the nitrates, and the K2SO4 to add potassium. It worked fine, and there were no issues over about 5 years of doing this.

[Edgezilla]

The Federal government put a banned on all chemicals that people use in explosive. Anything with trate at the end.

That being said, there are some stores still carrying KNO3, but you are paying an arm for 1lb. $10 a lb and $40 for 5 lb.

Solar hydroponics in Burnaby is one of them. They are right behind Metrotown Metropolis. They have to get a permit to sell the fertilizer on a retail level.

Sulphur does not have any adverse effect on plants, but I have found that K2SO4 tends to give too much ummpt to some of the more sensitive plant and start causing twisted growth in our 0 gH water.

I premixed 2 very concentrated bottle of nutrients and add that daily. Sometime I would add trace. mixed with boiled water or distilled water or sterilized water.

I found that adding .25 ml H2O2 35% to 1 gallon of water helps quite a bit with growth. Helps break down organic matter, increase oxygen in waterm and reduce algae too.
Less organic matter for algae to use.

Bottle 1
CaCl2 anhydrous

Bottle 2
KNO3
KH2PO4
MgSO4

Bottle 3
Trace

[jewels]

K is easy to find in potash
I wonder where you guys are sourcing Nitrate ?

The Federal government put a banned on all chemicals that people use in explosive. Anything with trate at the end.

Is there any specific legislation regarding this issue?
Is this for real?
I found a hardware store with 5 - one pound 'GRANTS stump remover' available.
Should I clean them out?

[Edgezilla]

Is there any specific legislation regarding this issue?
Is this for real?
I found a hardware store with 5 - one pound 'GRANTS stump remover' available.
Should I clean them out?

This is for real. This regulation has been in place since middle of 2009. I don't have the exact link to this. This is the reason why you would have noticed a spike in the price of certain chemicals at the beginning of 2009. They were anticipating for the summer time. This is not a banned per-say, but a severe restriction on access of the product outside of Agricultural use or fertilizer companies. Unless the company have a legitimate reason to sell KNO3 and such product on retail level, government will most likely not issue the permit to sell them on retail level.

The reason some people don't use stump remover is because not all of them are pure Potassium nitrates. there are additives in some of the brands and people rather not take the chance with inhabitants in the tank.

[bae3]

Here's a link to a company in BC that sells KNO3 and other fertilizers for aquatic plants:

http://www.aquafloranurseries.com

Disclaimer: I know nothing about this company -- I just ran into their web site.