Calcium Nitrate as alternative NO3 source for EI?

[illumnae]

I was surfing around and noticed this for sale on a US based dry ferts store. Is this a viable replacement for KNO3 since the latter is banned/controlled in Singapore?

My concern is that dosing CaNO3 in the amounts required for EI would result in a vast excess of Calcium, increasing the hardness/ph of the water to unacceptable levels

[Shadow]

does it available in Singapore?

[CK Yeo]

Yes. Can use and used before. Not explosive precursor. Actually, only KNO3 >5% w/w is regulated, otherwise it is ok. Ca++ does not affect the pH. It is the carbonate that usually comes with Ca++ in the form of Calcium carbonate that increases the pH. Only problem is the Calcium nitrate is hygroscopic (i.e absorb water like "hungry hippo").
The calcium part is not really a issue, since Singapore water is generally very soft and on the plus side, you won't have a problem with Ca deficiency.

ck

[illumnae]

Thanks CK...now to locate the CaNO3. Will the hygroscopic properties create a problem?

[Shadow]

let me know if you manage to found shop that sell it

[CK Yeo]

In our weather, it will absorb moisture from the air and your dry chemical will become solution... in between powder and solution, you have a potentially sticky mess.
So, it is either you make up a concentrated solution right from the start, or you keep it in the dry box.

Try Dr Mallick from Singapore Hydroponics.

ck

[Shadow]

sound very trouble some. I wonder can we bring in KNO3 solution instead of dry form?

[CK Yeo]

2 ways. Get <5% solution or get SPF's permit.

Calcium nitrate is not that bad. I am using those bottle with pump thingy for dosing and at least it doesn't crystallize all around the pump.

ck

[illumnae]

Is dosage amount the same as KNO3? I think i may check it out as making a solution out of dried powder is still more economical and gives more control over what goes into the tank. the only consideration is excess Ca and having to dose K2SO4 as well for potassium needs

[CK Yeo]

If you want exact value, nope, not the same dosing. Chemistry is a bit beyond me now but looking at Ca(NO3)2 vs KNO3, Ca(NO3)2 has ~80&#37; NO3. So looking at it like this, for every 5ppm of NO3, you are only adding 1ppm of Ca. Not much isn't it? Not enough to move the GH value in any significant way. There should be some online calculators to calculate this...

Hey, dose Ca without affecting the pH, why not?

K2SO4 is not controlled and I think people add it to boost K anyway isn't it?

ck

[Shadow]

use APC fertilator

http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/f...fertilator.php

I try K2SO4 before but it cause my yamato to die after 2 weeks of dossing. Not sure if I calculate the dossage wrongly, but I stop dossing it since then.

[CK Yeo]

Great link!

i.e. for a 100L tank (~3feet?)
1g KNO3 give you 6.133ppm NO3, 3.867ppm K
1g Ca(NO3)2 give you 7.961ppm NO3, 1.697ppm Ca2+. (0.23dGH)
1g K2SO4 to give you 4.49ppm of K to compensate for missing K in Ca(NO3)2

1dGH - 7.143ppm Ca2+

Meaning to say, Ca(NO3)2 give you more NO3 per gram of powder while dosing some calcium which is missing from our tapwater anyway. Go for it!

ck

[illumnae]

thanks for the figures CK...now to find some time to look for Dr Mallick's Ca(NO3)2

[illumnae]

I've found that saturation point of Ca(NO3)2 is 38g/100ml of water. If i dissolve 25g/100ml, i'll need to dose 20ml 3 times weekly for my 4x2x2 tank. CK, do you know if the crystals will stay dry with me keeping them in the airtight container and only opening it 5-10 times over a year to make the stock solutions?

Also, any idea if they can be dissolved with KH2PO4, K2SO4 and MgSO4 to form a single macro solution?

[CK Yeo]

Can. But I don't like the messy sludge of crystals and liquid. I usually mix one large batch and keep stock solution. ie weigh only one time, only one time mess. Daiso sell those 1L pump bottles if you like ADA type bottles.

Ca(NO3)2 cannot mix with phosphate salts. It will precipitate out to form insoluble Calcium phosphate (i.e. plants cannot use and you have snow in your tanks when you dose).

ck

[illumnae]

I've already got some of those 1L pump bottles to dose my wondergro so I can use them. However, for 1L, i'll only be using 250g of crystals. That means i'll be mixing 4 batches in total...will there be a sludge by the time I make the 4th batch? I have to find a 4 litre storage bottle to mix 1kg worth of solution at one go.

Are Sulphate salts ok? So I can make 1 solution of Ca(NO3)2, K2SO4 and MgSO4, and dose KH2PO4 separately?

[CK Yeo]

Can. Remember vaguely that Hydroponics nutrient solutions also have 2 parts because of the precipitation issue.

Coke PEP bottles is 1.5L isn't it? Just need 2 for storage. The remaining 1 litre for use. Mix everything in a clean pail.

ck

[illumnae]

Ok! Thanks for your advice CK I'll try and contact Dr Mallick when I can find some time

[illumnae]

Checked with an AQ Merchant and he will have it available in December. Good way to start the New Year by going back to EI

[illumnae]

Making a mix of:

1kg Ca(NO3)2
2kg K2SO4
1kg MgSO4

in 4 litres of water will give me:

8.85ppm of NO3
13.29ppm of K
1.89ppm of Ca
1.16ppm of Mg

when 20ml of it is dosed in a 4x2x2. This seems ok for EI purposes right?

My concern now is whether I can get so much dissolved into 4 litres of water

Maybe commercial ferts are a better idea for storage space and peace of mind