If remineralizing RO water for wilds, the two commercial mineral additives, Kent Marine RO Right and Seachem Equilibrium, do not contain a realistic mix of minerals. We dont know what is in RO Right, it is probably salty as anecdotally plants don't do well with it; and Equilibrium is mostly potassium.
I did a little research into the mineral content of Amazonian water and concocted my own mix of minerals to mimic amazon basin water. The contents are readily available and fairly cheap.
For the mineral breakdown of whitewater and blackwater river water I am using two sources:
http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?scri...32009000600018
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackwater_river
These mineral concentrations have been averaged in a way to weigh more toward blackwater but with some whitewater as well. Here are the percentages of the five main ions in the mix:
Ca 37%
Na 9%
Mg 8%
K 7%
Cl 39%
To mix 100grams:
CaCl 20g Calcium Chloride; food grade pellets; amazon.com
NaCl 10g Table salt
MgSO4 35g Epsom salt
CaSO4 19g Calcium Sulfate; food grade gypsum; amazon.com
Equilib 16g Seachem Equilibrium (for Potassium)
The above amounts are calculated using molecular weights, to result in the correct percentages (I think... I hated chemistry).
Directions:
1. Add a dose of Seachem Discus Trace. This raises the TDS by 12 ppm. Discus Essentials could be used here as an alternative.
2. Add mineral mix to desired TDS. One teaspoon in 50 gallons raises TDS by +/- 22 ppm.
Notes
1. At TDS levels below 150ppm, no measurable change in pH. At 250ppm, pH increased by 0.05+/-.
2. At 3000 ppm, KH does not increase. (API drop test).
3. Grinding the ingredients with a mortar & pestle helps with dissolving time. Some of the ingredients dissolve slowly.
4. The mineral mix should be kept in a dry place (refrigerator or freezer). It soaks up moisture from the air and gets cakey.