turbomkt

Actually, KNO3 and KH2PO4 won't cause any problems. What you need to avoid are mixing KH2PO4 and your iron (Fe) source. The two will precipitate out in some cases.

Are you sure you saw that on Rex's site? I didn't find that phrase on there.

John N.

Mike is correct,

• Adding KNO3 and KH2PO4 together will not cause problems. The above statement is mistaken when dosing in large bodies of water such as an aquarium. In small containers you might have an issue.

• Adding KH2PO4 and Fe (from traces) can cause a precipitate (white powder) to come out of solution. This chelated iron precipitate is now no longer available to the water column, and must now be taken up from the roots where the powder will settle.

• Mixing macro elements and trace elements in the same bottle forms a highly concentrated and volatile solution of chemicals in a small amount of water (500ml). This could result in precipitation, cloudy and ineffective mixtures. That's why we shouldn't mix the chemicals together in a small container.

Bottom line with dosing together: When dosing the chemicals (macro and micro) in our aquariums together, you won't have a problem because they are now in a very diluted solution. However to prevent any precipitation (cloudiness), we can dose macro and micros on off days so that each are consumed before the introduction of the other.

-John N.

morta_skuld

will it also precipitate when traces and iron is mixed with kno3?

I had time to see the fertilator and im still digesting some of it hehehe. Anyway. can i put mgso4 and caco3 every time i put the macro. Or i will dose it on a different occasion say once or twice a week? Just a newbie question.

turbomkt

Fe and KNO3 should be fine. As for MgSO4 and CaCO3, what are your goals? You should be fine adding it with water changes and that's it.

nswhite

Wow this is a very good thread. Short and sweet and straight to the point.

eklikewhoa

here's a link to rex's site and its in bright red at the bottom where he states the above. Rex's Guide to Dosing Dry Ferts

turbomkt

Ahhh. Guess what I think he means there...

If you confuse KNO3 and KH2PO4, you can have problems. Basically you could end up with extremely high PO4 levels and next to no NO3. That would be a recipe for disaster as your tank gets completely unbalanced.

BryceM

Or in other words, it's ok to mix them together, but don't mix them up.

morta_skuld

thanks man!

eklikewhoa

so you are not suppose to mix fe with kh2po4 but seachem's suggested dosing chart suggest dosing iron everyday.

wouldnt the seachem products have the same problem with mixing iron and phosphates?