what is the recommended GH booster dosing at water change for RO water? How much per 5 gallons? I store my RO in 5 gallon jugs and that would be easiest. Otherwise, how much per 20 gallons?
I am using Barr's GH booster from aquariumfertilizer.com.
Lifetime Members
what is the recommended GH booster dosing at water change for RO water? How much per 5 gallons? I store my RO in 5 gallon jugs and that would be easiest. Otherwise, how much per 20 gallons?
I am using Barr's GH booster from aquariumfertilizer.com.
Lifetime Charter Member
A Little of This... A Bit of THat... Mix Well.
Hi Shawn,
Aerate the RO thoroughly, mix, stir, or shake, whatever, ideally a small air pump and air stone during storage.
A teaspoon of Barr’s GH booster will give you about 2-dGH and about 10-ppm Potassium.
I would add another ¼ teaspoon of CaCl2.6H2O for another .6-dGH and I like the Chloride. If no Calcium chloride, ¼ teaspoon plaster of Paris.
- If you wish a greater general hardness add more plaster of Paris or Calcium chloride, about .6-dGH per quarter teaspoon.
I would add a light 1/5 teaspoon Baking soda, this will leave about 2-dKH.
I also like dash of lemon juice, a dash of crushed vitamin C tab works.
Raising sensitive plants or critters I like to match the water as closely as possible.
Biollante
The first sign we don't know what we are doing is an obsession with numbers. - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Disclaimer: I am not trying to make you mad, it is just what I am, an evil plant monster, 'nuf said.
- I believe the information I am giving is sound, I am not a veterinarian, professional chemist or particularly bright and certainly not a "Guru.".
- I assume you are of legal age, competent and it is legal for you to acquire, possess and use any materials or perform any action in your in your jurisdiction.
- When in doubt "don't."
Lifetime Members
Thank you!
what volume of water are those doses for?
I have an idea for storage, I plan to drill holes in the top of the 5 gallon containers lids, run an airline to the bottom with an airstone. Since they will no longer be water/air tight I will just have to be more careful when moving them.
Lifetime Members
*double post
Lifetime Charter Member
Oops...
Hi Shawn,
Sorry,I was thinking (really hurts!
) in terms of 5-gallon units as per your original post.
Biollante
The first sign we don't know what we are doing is an obsession with numbers. - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Disclaimer: I am not trying to make you mad, it is just what I am, an evil plant monster, 'nuf said.
- I believe the information I am giving is sound, I am not a veterinarian, professional chemist or particularly bright and certainly not a "Guru.".
- I assume you are of legal age, competent and it is legal for you to acquire, possess and use any materials or perform any action in your in your jurisdiction.
- When in doubt "don't."
Lifetime Members
I would have to say without a doubt I have been under dosing my GH booster. I've been adding 1/2 tsp to 1 tsp per 15 gallons or so of RO.
Lifetime Charter Member
KH Is A Bigger Deal Than GH, In This Case Anyway...
Hi Shawn,
I seriously doubt general hardness was a major problem, carbonate hardness is, perhaps another matter.
I do think consistent water management is important.
I think I will try that TSS, TDS, organic versus inorganic and what we “see” with a TDS meter…
Biollante
The first sign we don't know what we are doing is an obsession with numbers. - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Disclaimer: I am not trying to make you mad, it is just what I am, an evil plant monster, 'nuf said.
- I believe the information I am giving is sound, I am not a veterinarian, professional chemist or particularly bright and certainly not a "Guru.".
- I assume you are of legal age, competent and it is legal for you to acquire, possess and use any materials or perform any action in your in your jurisdiction.
- When in doubt "don't."
Guru Class Expert
In AZ, some aquarium keepers just use half tap and half RO.
Lifetime Charter Member
Well Mixed Tap & RO/DI Works Wonderfully Well!
Hi,Originally Posted by Crispino Ramos
Actually the mix of tap, RO and DI water is what I use for the most part.
I find in keeping certain critters and certain plants when keeping the carbonate hardness under 2-dKH that reconstituting the water from DI is the most effective.
Biollante
ps. come to think of it I am in AZ so I was covered by Mr. Ramos' statement...
Last edited by Biollante; 07-06-2011 at 04:05 AM. Reason: ps
The first sign we don't know what we are doing is an obsession with numbers. - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Disclaimer: I am not trying to make you mad, it is just what I am, an evil plant monster, 'nuf said.
- I believe the information I am giving is sound, I am not a veterinarian, professional chemist or particularly bright and certainly not a "Guru.".
- I assume you are of legal age, competent and it is legal for you to acquire, possess and use any materials or perform any action in your in your jurisdiction.
- When in doubt "don't."
Lifetime Members
I use RO to prevent fluctuations in water quality. My tap varies especially in the spring. My electric blue rams prefer the RO. Its not necessary for any plants.
average ph of the tap is 9. it is hard water with a high kh.
The tank isn't large so RO isn't tough.
Regarding low GH dosing, could I have been low on calcium or magnesium?
CO2 was the main reason for growth and algae issues recently.
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks