Re-ordering Dry Ferts

[NorthStar]

Since my CSM + B is running low (I'm the type of person who has his fuel tank at 3/4 full all the time) I am going to re-order some and thought about looking into other dry ferts such as:

Calcium Sulfate
Magnesium Sulfate
Manganese Sulfate

What are your thoughts?

[Sean]

This will sound stupid but why do they all have sulfate in their names? Why not just calcium or magnesium? I'm not very science-y sorry.

[Riptide]

All the listed compounds include sulfate to neutralize their properties if I'm not mistaken

[Sean]

Okay then another question... Why would you want to neutralize their properties if your buying them to use for those properties....

[chevyguy8893]

Since my CSM + B is running low (I'm the type of person who has his fuel tank at 3/4 full all the time) I am going to re-order some and thought about looking into other dry ferts such as:

Calcium Sulfate
Magnesium Sulfate
Manganese Sulfate

What are your thoughts?

Those would all be for bringing up the GH if it is very low from your water. Both Seachem Equilibrium and GH booster have those compounds, and it doesn't take much of a dose to last a while. Buying them individually would give you more control over the amounts dosed if one element is not used as much as another by the plants.

This will sound stupid but why do they all have sulfate in their names? Why not just calcium or magnesium? I'm not very science-y sorry.

Both pure calcium and magnesium are reactive with water and oxygen (calcium being more reactive), so the pure forms have to be stored in some sort of oil to keep them from reacting in storage. Both being in a compound makes them safe to use and in a form that is easy to dose. Both calcium and sodium are some of my favorite, rather violent, reactions in water, but sodium is better since it tends to have a mini explosion at the end .

[dlondon95]

Those would all be for bringing up the GH if it is very low from your water. Both Seachem Equilibrium and GH booster have those compounds, and it doesn't take much of a dose to last a while. Buying them individually would give you more control over the amounts dosed if one element is not used as much as another by the plants.



Both pure calcium and magnesium are reactive with water and oxygen (calcium being more reactive), so the pure forms have to be stored in some sort of oil to keep them from reacting in storage. Both being in a compound makes them safe to use and in a form that is easy to dose. Both calcium and sodium are some of my favorite, rather violent, reactions in water, but sodium is better since it tends to have a mini explosion at the end .

Watching sodium react with water is awesome!

[Sean]

Hmmm I've never seen it apparently lol...

[kinezumi89]

You took the wrong chemistry classes then

[Sean]

I had to many science credits.so I didn't have to take chem...

[chevyguy8893]

Hmmm I've never seen it apparently lol...

The Lake Lenore sodium disposal video on youtube is a good place to start . Thermite is another neat reaction lol.

I'll stop derailing now .

[catsma_97504]

Since my CSM + B is running low (I'm the type of person who has his fuel tank at 3/4 full all the time) I am going to re-order some and thought about looking into other dry ferts such as:

Calcium Sulfate
Magnesium Sulfate
Manganese Sulfate

What are your thoughts?

The calcium and magnesium products are only necessary if you have hardness issues and the pH begins to bounce about. Most planted tanks do not need these products. But if you did, CaSO4 is nothing more than powdered gypsum. You could probably find it in your local garden center. Just make sure it does not contain additives that would be harmful to your tank. Another option to add calcium is Baking Soda. If use wisely it can be dealt with.

Instead of MgSO4, purchase Epsom Salt (MgSO₄₂O) as it is hydrated magnesium sulphate.

Honestly I have never heard of anyone needing to add manganese to a freshwater planted aquarium.

[chevyguy8893]

If I am thinking correctly, the sulfates listed shouldn't have any affect on the carbonate hardness and pH. I agree, manganese shouldn't be needed since it is added by the plantex csm+b, but it may be needed with a good amount of fast growing plants in some cases. That being said, I don't think I have ever encountered a manganese deficiency, and, knowing how important it is, I don't want to lol.

[catsma_97504]

Not the sulphate, but the minerals calcium and magnesium are why they are dosed. Same as using K2SO4 to raise potassium.

I've used limestone and Baking Powder for Calcium; and Epsom Salt for magnesium, when needed in my tank