EI DOSING USING DRY SALTS

[Fiske]

Try co2supermarket.co.uk or aquariumplantfood.co.uk for KNO3.

 

[Oldguy]

I don’t think I can find KNO3. Can I substitute KCl or K2SO4 at the same teaspoon dose?

No, not really. You would be about right for potassium [K], but the plants would have no nitrates [NO3] which they need to grow. The beauty of KNO3 is you have two key ingredients in one chemical compound.

Try an internet search. You may find that KNO3 and other nitrates have become 'regulated substances'. They can still be purchased but the seller has to keep records of the purchaser. Internet sales will yield your name and address and a statement about age (over 18yrs usually works) and why you want the chemical - as a plant fertilize will provide the vendor with these details. All legitimate. Garden Centers take the easy way out and tend not to stock it. They try and sell a blended fertilizer for terrestrial plants which might contain ammonium salts or urea. Hope this is of help.

 

[tdc999]

Hi
I have found the article on dry salts very interesting if some what technical.
I am just starting out with this hobby and will be buying my first plants soon.
The tank is a 240L with a soil substrate.
I have found where I can purchase KN03 locally.
I cannot work out what else is needed to add to the KN03.
On page 1 there shows about 7 different pots of powders!
Also a clear measurement of how much to mix the powders would be great.
Apologies if this has been mentioned in earlier posts.

 

[ian_m]

Here is a good start for the salts and amounts needed.

Ei Starter 1 Kit with Bottles - Starter Kits - Dry Chemicals - Fertilisers

 

[Zeus.]

The APFUK starter kit is a great place to start IMO even if you just buy the salts they advise locally, We do have a new fert calculator which is a bit technical for newcomers to fert dosing, but if you was after dosing at different levels for your tank than the APFUK instruction advise just do a post and I will post the amounts of salts to add to match the fert regime you wish to follow

 

[tdc999]

I have been looking to buy the dry goods.
I would like to know about Plantex CSM+B.
Is this a mixture of KNO3, KH2PO4 and K2SO4?
Or is it added to these 3?

 

[GHNelson]

Hi
Plantex CSM+B is a Micro/Trace element fertiliser mix!
So best kept separate in its own bottle.....unless you are making an All in One fertilizer solution.
James' Planted Tank - Estimative Index Explained (theplantedtank.co.uk)
hoggie

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

I would like to know about Plantex CSM+B.

It is a <"trace element mix">, a mix of the elements plants only need in <"very small amounts">. Most people will use a very small amount of a molybdenum (Mo) or boron (B) containing compound and it just isn't worth buying even the smallest container of boric acid (H3BO3) etc., it would last them for all of eternity. I think <"CSM+B was just a commercial trace mix"> that was available at the time, any out of <"Yara Vita, Rexolin APN"> etc would do.

Or is it added to these 3?

You need all fourteen of the essential elements for plant growth.

The main one that has some additional issues is iron (Fe), where it needs to be <"chelated in harder water">, with differing chelators being better at higher pH values.

cheers Darrel

 

[Mr.Shenanagins]

I have been looking to buy the dry goods.
I would like to know about Plantex CSM+B.
Is this a mixture of KNO3, KH2PO4 and K2SO4?
Or is it added to these 3?

Plantex is a mixture of micronutrients, and is mostly composed of Iron.

The salts below are all purchased individually-
KNO3: Nitrogen
KH2PO4: Phosphate
K2SO4: Potassium

 

[Mrblo]

Here is a sample of how the reference 20 US gallon tank could be dosed:

Sunday 50% or more Water Change then dose [3/16 teaspoon KNO3] + [1/16 teaspoon KH2PO4] + [½ teaspoon MgSO4]
Monday 1/16 teaspoon CSM+B
Tuesday - [3/16 teaspoon KNO3] + [1/16 teaspoon KH2PO4] + [½ teaspoon MgSO4]
Wednesday - 1/16 teaspoon CSM+B
Thursday - [3/16 teaspoon KNO3] + [1/16 teaspoon KH2PO4] + [½ teaspoon MgSO4]
Friday Rest
Saturday - Rest

Hi there!
@ceg4048 Great article, really enjoyed lecture and pictures!!!
I have a question. See this sample above. Is it me, or something is missing here? I think you'll struggling to get 30ppm (weekly) potassium with these rates.
I know there is potassium in KNO3 and KH2PO4 but I think you'll get "only" about 15ppm/week, if you don't add some KSO4.
Looking forward to hear from you, great job, once again!