potassium carbonate question

toddziegler · 11-17-2012, 10:15 PM

Does anyone have any advice for dosing pottasium carbonate for kh?

**wkndracer** · 11-17-2012, 10:31 PM

If you have a gram scale measure doses and mix into a 5g bucket then test results to establish adjustment values. (what I did)

W/O a scale do leveled mixing spoons 1/2 & 1tsp but realize that compaction and moisture effect the values slightly more than the scale but it's still minor.

Gold Finger · 11-17-2012, 11:57 PM

Also, I believe potassium carbonate (K2CO3) adds ~33mg/l K+ along with each 1 degree of hardness added by the CO3 just like K2SO4 does. It works well but you have to understand and want the K+ ratio. lots of extra K seems fine, but plants don't need KH so it's just a pH buffer issue. If you have two or three degrees in your tap I would not bother raising it. Over four degrees can limit some plants. Otherwise K2SO3 is supposed to be a good way to raise KH.

KH2PO4 · 11-18-2012, 01:26 AM

From http://www.theplantedtank.co.uk/RO.htm
1.2g K2CO3 in 25 litres of water = 2 dKH

By adding K2CO3 to reach 1 dKH, you also get about 13 PPM of K.

chibikaie · 11-18-2012, 09:32 PM

Thank you for the link! I've been wondering if I could use potassium bicarbonate in a similar manner, and that answers my question neatly.

11-17-2012, 10:15 PM	#1
toddziegler Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (6/100%) Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: arlington, tx usa Posts: 79	potassium carbonate question Does anyone have any advice for dosing pottasium carbonate for kh? __________________ Thanks Todd Ziegler Always question those who claim to have the truth!

11-17-2012, 10:31 PM	#2
wkndracer Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (68/100%) Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Citrus County,Florida Posts: 6,076	If you have a gram scale measure doses and mix into a 5g bucket then test results to establish adjustment values. (what I did) W/O a scale do leveled mixing spoons 1/2 & 1tsp but realize that compaction and moisture effect the values slightly more than the scale but it's still minor. __________________ *The Fraternity of Dirt* If at first you don't succeed,,, keep kicking it RubberSideDownOnTheLanding, 2-75g planted, 5-55g planted, 5-20g planted, 110g w/30g sump, 8-10g, Refugium, doghouse/newbie 2012 update adding table top pleco pans & a 90g (Nutz)

11-17-2012, 11:57 PM	#3
Gold Finger Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Wpg. MB Canada Posts: 819	Also, I believe potassium carbonate (K2CO3) adds ~33mg/l K+ along with each 1 degree of hardness added by the CO3 just like K2SO4 does. It works well but you have to understand and want the K+ ratio. lots of extra K seems fine, but plants don't need KH so it's just a pH buffer issue. If you have two or three degrees in your tap I would not bother raising it. Over four degrees can limit some plants. Otherwise K2SO3 is supposed to be a good way to raise KH. __________________ Ver. 1.0 80 gallon dirt goldfish tank (defunct) Ver. 2.0 bare bottom same tank another approach (defunct) Ver. 3.0 Pool filter sand same tank now Farming Algae Goldfish are among the worst fish for beginners.

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11-18-2012, 01:26 AM	#4
KH2PO4 Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 247	From http://www.theplantedtank.co.uk/RO.htm 1.2g K2CO3 in 25 litres of water = 2 dKH By adding K2CO3 to reach 1 dKH, you also get about 13 PPM of K.

11-18-2012, 09:32 PM	#5
chibikaie Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (6/100%) Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Connecticut Posts: 512	Thank you for the link! I've been wondering if I could use potassium bicarbonate in a similar manner, and that answers my question neatly.