Trying to make my own GH and KH booster.
My specific use is to remineralize R/O water for some shrimp tanks.
So I've done some searching and came across these threads on the same topic, but I only know a small amount on chemistry so I just wanted to get some clarification.
http://www.ukaps.org/forum/threads/dissolving-gh-booster.22428/
http://www.ukaps.org/forum/threads/a-few-qs-about-gh-booster.12368/
Here is an idea on water parameters for some shrimp that I keep in case you are unfamiliar with dwarf shrimp params
http://www.discobee.com/blogs/news/17030569-shrimp-water-parameters
So I'm thinking I should use Potassium Bicarbonate (KHCO3) for raising KH
and use Calcium Chloride (CaCl2) and Magnesium Sulfate (MgSO4) for raising GH with proper ratio of Ca:Mg
What is the proper Ca:Mg ratio? I think I've heard 1 part Ca to 3 parts Mg (1:3), or was it reverse? haha
I would prefer not to use Calcium Sulfate since it's less soluble and I don't want to use Calcium Nitrate since I don't want the nitrates, so I will go with the next up water soluble form, Calcium Chloride.
Does anyone know if Chloride from Calcium Chloride, would cause any issues? Does it disassociate in solution and become Chlorine? I do use Seachem Prime/Safe as a dechlorinator. If it stays as Chloride, does it have any negative effect on fish, inverts or plants?
I'm not the best with the math aspect either, so can anyone write down the correct amounts to use to treat X amount of water (again, using R/O. Preferably, would like to know how to increase by 1 dGH/dKH). Or just verify if/what calculations are correct on the linked threads.
I was just looking on eBay (US sellers).
I did come across different grades of the chemicals, so I would like to clarify which grade I should get. I assume %/potency would be different depending on the chemical grade, so that would be important for calculating dosage.
Grades I saw were Food Grade/USP, Reagent/ACS, then I see some others like Technical, NF, Lab, and Purified.
The recommendations were Potassium Bicarb for KH, but I also see Potassium Carbonate for the same price. If I am not mistaken, it's just like Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate) vs Baking Powder (Sodium Carbonate).
I read up on the difference a while back, but forgot the differences. Which would be better/safer to use?
How do you find the ratio of the chemical compound?
Such as MgSO4, how do you find out how much Mg there is and how much S there is, etc.? I've seen the atomic weights, but I bought some "100%" Epsom Salt USP, but it says "9.87% Magnesium.....12.98% Sulfur). Based on atomic weights, that's not a match.
How do you know the ratios, would it go by the formula? For instance MgSO4 = 1:1:4? (4 parts oxygen)
Is there a specific name/term that I could enter on searches to find the % or ratio of each chemical?
Any USA (not UK) sources to buy the meds from, online or local? If online, I was just going to buy through eBay.
Local I know there is Epsom Salt (Magnesium Sulfate). I've read Calcium Chloride is de-icer/ice melt, but don't think that is stocked any longer since it's out of season in my area. Any other sources of CaCl2? I don't know what product Potassium Bicarbonate is of. Anyone?
Sorry for the long thread and all the questions. Just trying to gain some knowledge from others and be sure I do it all correctly.
Oh and, are any of the cheap digital weighing/scale spoons or "stands"/scale, like seen on eBay, accurate? Was thinking of getting a bunch of cheap digital scale spoons, or one Seachem digital scale spoon, and probably a bunch of measuring teaspoons (1/8 or even smaller if need be).
By the way, I am new to this forum. Came here as I saw there were some people who really know their chemistry @ceg4048 and @dw1305
Thank you to all in advance!
My specific use is to remineralize R/O water for some shrimp tanks.
So I've done some searching and came across these threads on the same topic, but I only know a small amount on chemistry so I just wanted to get some clarification.
http://www.ukaps.org/forum/threads/dissolving-gh-booster.22428/
http://www.ukaps.org/forum/threads/a-few-qs-about-gh-booster.12368/
Here is an idea on water parameters for some shrimp that I keep in case you are unfamiliar with dwarf shrimp params
http://www.discobee.com/blogs/news/17030569-shrimp-water-parameters
So I'm thinking I should use Potassium Bicarbonate (KHCO3) for raising KH
and use Calcium Chloride (CaCl2) and Magnesium Sulfate (MgSO4) for raising GH with proper ratio of Ca:Mg
What is the proper Ca:Mg ratio? I think I've heard 1 part Ca to 3 parts Mg (1:3), or was it reverse? haha
I would prefer not to use Calcium Sulfate since it's less soluble and I don't want to use Calcium Nitrate since I don't want the nitrates, so I will go with the next up water soluble form, Calcium Chloride.
Does anyone know if Chloride from Calcium Chloride, would cause any issues? Does it disassociate in solution and become Chlorine? I do use Seachem Prime/Safe as a dechlorinator. If it stays as Chloride, does it have any negative effect on fish, inverts or plants?
I'm not the best with the math aspect either, so can anyone write down the correct amounts to use to treat X amount of water (again, using R/O. Preferably, would like to know how to increase by 1 dGH/dKH). Or just verify if/what calculations are correct on the linked threads.
I was just looking on eBay (US sellers).
I did come across different grades of the chemicals, so I would like to clarify which grade I should get. I assume %/potency would be different depending on the chemical grade, so that would be important for calculating dosage.
Grades I saw were Food Grade/USP, Reagent/ACS, then I see some others like Technical, NF, Lab, and Purified.
The recommendations were Potassium Bicarb for KH, but I also see Potassium Carbonate for the same price. If I am not mistaken, it's just like Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate) vs Baking Powder (Sodium Carbonate).
I read up on the difference a while back, but forgot the differences. Which would be better/safer to use?
How do you find the ratio of the chemical compound?
Such as MgSO4, how do you find out how much Mg there is and how much S there is, etc.? I've seen the atomic weights, but I bought some "100%" Epsom Salt USP, but it says "9.87% Magnesium.....12.98% Sulfur). Based on atomic weights, that's not a match.
How do you know the ratios, would it go by the formula? For instance MgSO4 = 1:1:4? (4 parts oxygen)
Is there a specific name/term that I could enter on searches to find the % or ratio of each chemical?
Any USA (not UK) sources to buy the meds from, online or local? If online, I was just going to buy through eBay.
Local I know there is Epsom Salt (Magnesium Sulfate). I've read Calcium Chloride is de-icer/ice melt, but don't think that is stocked any longer since it's out of season in my area. Any other sources of CaCl2? I don't know what product Potassium Bicarbonate is of. Anyone?
Sorry for the long thread and all the questions. Just trying to gain some knowledge from others and be sure I do it all correctly.
Oh and, are any of the cheap digital weighing/scale spoons or "stands"/scale, like seen on eBay, accurate? Was thinking of getting a bunch of cheap digital scale spoons, or one Seachem digital scale spoon, and probably a bunch of measuring teaspoons (1/8 or even smaller if need be).
By the way, I am new to this forum. Came here as I saw there were some people who really know their chemistry @ceg4048 and @dw1305
Thank you to all in advance!