-
Registered Member
Recipe to add to water with "nothing"
I am using rainwater (no, I don't have any other choice! no town water here!). I have come to realise that I need to be treating it pretty much the same as straight RO water.
So, does anyone have a "recipe" for what would be best to add to this please? I guess I am going to need calcium carbonate, calcium sulphate, calcium chloride, epsom salts, minerals???? trace elements??
Thanks, Lesley
-
Re:Recipe to add to water with "nothing"
Here is the one I use.
I just post it. It is not from me though.
3 grams Calcium Sulfate
1gram Calcium Chloride
1gram Magnesium Sulfate
Calcium Sulfate is gypsom and is available at chemical supply
Calcium Chloride is sea salt-- available at chemical supply or pet store-- get the finely ground type so as to disolve easier
Magnesium Sulfate is merely Epsom Salts and is available just about anywhere "
I use Lab grade calcium sulfate.
For me this rec. works out just fine.
hth Ronald
-
Re:Recipe to add to water with "nothing"
Ronald, What kind of PH and KH does that receipe give you at what TDS?
is the calcium sulfate used to keep the PH from swinging?
-
Re:Recipe to add to water with "nothing"
I set the conductance to 250. I dont know the formula off the bat how to convert Cond. to Tds
Some go higher to 300 or so.
In case of breeding one would of course go lower like 50-70.
With that I get a pH of around 6.4-6.6.
I did not measure the GH. The KH was around 2 DKH last time I tested. It is stable in the tanks for at least 2 day's, thats why I dont test it anymore. I do daily w/c's
The calcium sulfate is more for the bone groth in the fish, but I also think it stablize the water also. Kinda like a freebe lol.
-
Re:Recipe to add to water with "nothing"
Thanks Ronald
Conductivity is about double tds, if im not mixing them up
i was worried about the ph going through the roof or the ph crashing over a couple days. Nice if it stays stable
-
Registered Member
-
Registered Member
Re:Recipe to add to water with "nothing"
Thanks guys,
Do you add any trace elements, or electrolytes, for example?
Dottie, are you using RO water and not mixing any tap water in??
Thanks for your help.
Lesley
-
Re:Recipe to add to water with "nothing"
Right , Joe's it is lol
as I wrote I could not remember lol , guess kinda alzheimer.
(I hope not)
Ronald
-
Registered Member
Re:Recipe to add to water with "nothing"
Lesley, that is correct. Using 100% R/O water. So, it is necessary to replace the minerals needed for maintenance & growth. The recipe as posted above by Ronald is what is needed for trace elements & elects, salts, minerals. Anything else would be in the food, & I guess many who make their own BH add vitamins. I don't do the BH, too lazy. You can also add vitamins to the foods, even soak the BWs in them. But I have not done this, & my babies have grown very well. With a good variety of foods, live, froz etc, this recipe fills the bill, HTH, Dottie
BTW. I am working on a way to use tap (well) water mixed with the r/o to make life easier, lol ;D
-
Registered Member
Re:Recipe to add to water with "nothing"
Thank you Dottie, that is great to hear. I'm outta here shortly shopping for those ingredients!!
For my own interest, 'cause I really have no idea what they are, what exactly are electrolytes???
Thank you, Lesley
-
Registered Member
Re:Recipe to add to water with "nothing"
Gosh Lesley, I measure blood contituents every day for electrolytes, just don't think 'bout'm that way any more. Any salt that separates into its ions in a solution that can transmit an electrical current is an electrolyte. Calcium, sodium, chloride, magnesium, potassium & phosphorous are a few, not sure 'bout the latter as a conductor. The trace elements are just that, found in trace am't in solution, zinc & I'm sure many others. Been away from basic chem a loooonnng time, hahahahahahaha Perhaps our chemistry gurus can elucidate more on this subject, HTH, Dottie ;D ;D
-
Re:Recipe to add to water with "nothing"
Calcium Chloride is not sea salt.
It is produced as a by-product in the production of calcium carbonate.
It is exremely hydroscopic, it sucks water out of the atmoshere and must be kept in an air tight container and when using have the lid off as short a time as possible.
http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/moviegal...lciumchloride/
Geoff
-
Re:Recipe to add to water with "nothing"
Not being a chemist I understand that Sea Salt is not Calcium Cloride.
It was my understanding that Calcium Cloride is in sea salt
(as bought at lfs) is a part as well as other ingredients.
It is also the other ingredients (minerals and vitamines) why I like to use it.
Anyway whatever it is, I am using this formula a while and it works out for me and most important for my Fish.
My water is stable in a pH range of 6.4-6.6 set at a conductance of 260 +-.
The link you provided mentions that Calcium Cloride is used in Aquarium water, but I could not find any more reference to it there. Maybe some of the Chem. gurus can help out here.
-
Registered Member
Re:Recipe to add to water with "nothing"
Would sea salt have iodine in it???
Am I correct in thinking that iodine is to be avoided?? Or is it okay in small amounts??
Thanks
-
Re:Recipe to add to water with "nothing"
Hi Lesley,
Table salt usually has iodine in it.
I obtain mine from Action up here in Queensland ( used to be Franklins ). There are a number of brands and densities to choose from. I use what they call "cooking salt ", look on the pack and it should have 100% salt - no additives. I buy it for about $1 for 2 kilos.
Geoff
Posting Permissions
- You may not post new threads
- You may not post replies
- You may not post attachments
- You may not edit your posts
-
Forum Rules