[JxnDvs]

Okay, I got my ro water unit a few days ago and have some questions. Is there an all-in-one type product that will remineralize to a good Gh and Kh for a planted aquarium? I've heard that some people mix their own minerals/elements/ferts together the get the Gh and Kh to the desired degree. Mixing my own stuff seems complicated, but Im willing to do it if there is a benefit to doing that way. If you would suggest I mix it myself could you explain how much to add per gallon and what minerals/elements/ferts to buy and where to buy them.

to recap my questions are

1. Is there an all-in-one remineralizing product that I can use in a planted aquarium or should I mix my own minerals/elements/ferts to get the desired Gh/Kh
2. If you suggest a pre-made product what is it or if you suggest I mix myself can you explain how I do this

Thanks in advance!

 

[Surf]

I am not aware of any all in one product that contains all the needed fertilizer and boost the GH KH to the needed levels. In most cases you want to increase CH sometimes a lot while you normally don't want too much fertilizer in the tank. So dosing fertilizers and GH booster separately is the best way to do it.

Dos people mix there own macro nutrients (nitrogen, potassium, phosphate, and sulfur)Most people just buy a premixed micro fertilizer (iron, boron, manganese, zinc, copper, molybdenum, and nickel). The main advantages with mixing your own fertilizer is that you have more control over the concentrations and the ingredients are cheeper. mixing your own does involve calculating and measuring how much to add. For a premade product you just have to follow the instructions on the bottle. So if you are not yet comfortable mixing your own I would go with purchased product for now. You can always switch later.

For a CH booster I would go with a sulfate based product mad from the ingredients calcium sulfate, magnesium sulfate and potassium sulfate. Nilocg.com sells one and Sachem Equilibrium is also a popular. Sulfate GH booster cover 4 of the macro nutrients. Other GH booster are made from calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, and potassium Chloride) Plants do need chlorine but not nearly as much as sulfur.

For KH there are a number available. Most are made from potassium bicarbonate or sodium bicarbonate.

 

[JxnDvs]

Thanks for the help!

For a CH booster

Ive never heard of CH. what is that

So to remineralize I should use either nilocG Gh booster or seachem equilibrium for Gh. Is there a specific product that you recommend for raising Kh?

 

[Greggz]

It's pretty simple.

GH is made up primarily from Ca and Mg.

So CaSO4 and MgSO4 are what you need to raise GH. Every pre mixed product you buy is a mixture of these with a few other things thrown in, at a much higher cost. Much better value in long run to buy the individual ingredients, plus you can fine tune the Ca/Mg ratio if you like.

Most folks use either K2CO3 or KHCO3 to raise KH.

Seek out Rotalabutterfly or Zorfox calculators and learn how to use them to figure out the dosing. You will be glad you did and it will help with all other dosing going forward.

 

[mgeorges]

Greggz nailed it. He runs RO, I run RODI, we both remineralize GH using CaSO4 and MgSO4. Much cheaper to buy the raw material in the long run...MUCH cheaper. I use a mix of NaHCO3 and KHCO3, baking soda and potassium bicarbonate, to remineralize KH.

Rotalabutterfly will be your best friend. Very useful nutrient calculator, I use it all the time still.

 

[Edward]

https://www.plantedtank.net/forums/...ameters/1276565-re-mineralizing-ro-water.html

 

[Anon]

Okay, I got my ro water unit a few days ago and have some questions. Is there an all-in-one type product that will remineralize to a good Gh and Kh for a planted aquarium? I've heard that some people mix their own minerals/elements/ferts together the get the Gh and Kh to the desired degree. Mixing my own stuff seems complicated, but Im willing to do it if there is a benefit to doing that way. If you would suggest I mix it myself could you explain how much to add per gallon and what minerals/elements/ferts to buy and where to buy them.

to recap my questions are

1. Is there an all-in-one remineralizing product that I can use in a planted aquarium or should I mix my own minerals/elements/ferts to get the desired Gh/Kh
2. If you suggest a pre-made product what is it or if you suggest I mix myself can you explain how I do this

Thanks in advance!

Suppliers such as Tropic Marin, JBL and Seachem each produce remineralizing products for use with RO water. They are known as Re-Mineral Tropic, AquaDur and Equilibrium (or Replenish), respectively. Check out also their aquatic plant fertilizers. If you are interested in a DIY approach, take a look at James' Planted Tank - Re-mineralising RO Water and James' Planted Tank - All In One Solution.