My order from Planted Aquarium Fertilizer arrived...and I forgot to order K2SO4

**Azkamidaka** · 01-29-2012, 05:51 PM

Whoops! I was following the "EI light for those less techy folks" thread and was ordering based on the substances listed in each range of volume for weekly dosing. None of them list Potassium Sulfate, but it is clearly listed just a few sentences down further. Doh! Well I wanted to start dosing today with my water change but when I was making a weekly dosing chart based on the accompanying image to Mr. B's initial post I noticed that I do not have all of the necessary components to begin EI today. Oh well, I will have to begin when it arrives. I did buy the 13% Iron chelate and the Macro Micro Nutrient mix as well. This place is great! Such a wealth of knowledge here, I am considering becoming a paid member soon.

How difficult would it be to adapt these dry substances for hydroponic gardening? They sure are much cheaper than anything else I have seen for the concentrations.

**Biollante** · 01-29-2012, 07:55 PM

Hi,

If you are using Potassium nitrate (KN0₄) for nitrate, and dipotassium phosphate (K₂PO₄) or even Potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KH₂PO₄) for Phosphate (Fleet Enemas would be both), then it is unlikely you need Potassium sulfate.

It is really much the same with hydroponic as with aquariums, the concentrations are higher.

Biollante

**Azkamidaka** · 01-29-2012, 10:48 PM

Ah I see! There is potassium everywhere. Why on earth does the image in the "less techy folks" thread include KNO3 for nitrates, KH2PO4 for phosphate, and K2SO4 for potassium? Sort of an umbrella "might as well turn the aquarium into a plant growing serum since it will all be changed out by the end of the week anyway" sort of measure?

Thank you Biollante!

**Gerryd** · 01-30-2012, 01:12 AM

Originally Posted by Azkamidaka

Ah I see! There is potassium everywhere. Why on earth does the image in the "less techy folks" thread include KNO3 for nitrates, KH2PO4 for phosphate, and K2SO4 for potassium? Sort of an umbrella "might as well turn the aquarium into a plant growing serum since it will all be changed out by the end of the week anyway" sort of measure?

Thank you Biollante!

Hi,

Exactly. The idea behind EI is to ensure non limiting nutrients. Tom has since indicated that you can stop dosing KH2P04 since the K2S04 provides enough.

I myself dose this way....Plus, keep in mind that not everyone reading that thread knows N from P or K.. I myself did not when I first joined the site.

**Azkamidaka** · 01-30-2012, 01:34 AM

Awesome! Thank you very much.

Does it work in both directions, if I have KH2PO4 on hand can I forgo the K2SO4 dosages or is it better to use K2SO4 instead of KH2PO4? Thank you again.

**Biollante** · 02-03-2012, 02:11 AM

Hi,

What size tank and what are trying for?

It is very hard to derive all of your K from either mono or di-potassium phosphate as the amount of phosphate desired is generally much less than potassium.