SeaChem Equilibrium

[geoffrey]

Vinz did some search a while ago and came up with this. Although without his permission, I doubt he minds if I repost it here.

[quote:30ac482750="vinz"]
Just searched around the web: http://fins.actwin.com/aquatic-plant.../msg00469.html For each KH raised via baking

soda is raises 8.21ppm of Na. At 4dKH, thats about 33ppm.

Should be quite ok against Ca. Which is about 15ppm at 3dGH and assuming Ca:Mg is 4.

From Roger Miller's experience (posted in the APD today), Na by itself is a problem when Na:Ca exceeds 7. Unless the tank KH is very high vs the GH, it should not pose a problem, if we can bring K down too.
[/quote:30ac482750]

As for buffering without K or Na, try coral chips although it is hard to maintain stable kH. Better but expensive if you can get CaCO3 tablets from pharmacies, they provide the Ca and buffering. Alternatively, we can try dolomite chips - 50% each for Ca and Mg and has buffering - but they are hard to find. I have not used it and I don't know how good it is.

[vinz]

Here's the link to Roger Miller's post http://fins.actwin.com/aquatic-plant.../msg00274.html

[FC]

dolomite chips - 50% each for Ca and Mg and has buffering - but they are hard to find.

You can get it in hydroponic shops at Kovan. It is normally used for carpet grass lawn where it is used to buffer the acid rain. I tried it but frankly, it is not user-friendly. It does not dissolve readily. The best way to administer it is to sprinkle them on the gravel.

My experiences with baking soda is that the excess Na seems to be bad for plant. I have stopped using it for about a year now. I depend on coral chips placed in the filter where I get 1~2 KH from it (used to be 4 degree but I reduced the coral chips amount) and Ca too. Works great, much better than the soda. I keep PH at 6.4. All plants live better with this arrangement. I think Juggler has the same experience with coral chips.

Regards,
Freddy Chng

[Sleepy_lancs]

Okay just a little update. 30 Gallon (US) of water has been changed (about 1/3 of tank). Added 5 ppm of K2SO4 for 30 Gallons. Added 2ml of KH2PO4 at 0.44ppm for entire tank. Added 4ml of Dr mallick iron + trace and 1 bag of Coral chips (amount is about fist size).

Lets see if the plants will improve.

[vinz]

Ummmm... why are you adding K2SO4? We've telling you that you probably have too much K. Or are you experimenting?

[Sleepy_lancs]

Yeap. Made a mistake in communication with Geoffrey. Will stop dosing it at next water change. Kekeke. And I've got those errors corrected. Hehehe.. Sorrie

[Sleepy_lancs]

Yesterday did a 25% water change (25 US Gallons) No stuff added to aged water. Added 3ml of Dr Mallick iron + trace (at 0.05ppm). So far so good. The plants seems to be responding. Bubbling has increased. Newer leaves are not transparent and leaves seem to be normal without curls. Will report more after the next water change.

PS: I will continue adding information at my tank's thread. So that this thread wouldn't be out of the original topic.