<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8138337#post8138337 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Boomer
100 g KHCO3= 1 mole KCO3 = 39 grams of K, so 2 grams, about 1/2 tsps/ 50 gal = 80 ppm increase but will also increase the Alk .4 meq / l.
Randy needs to check this first
I think the issue here is to bump it up with Potassium chloride to 400 ppm if it is low and then use the potassium bicarbonate to maintain it. Trying to raise it 50- 100 pmm with potassium bicarbonate will raise the alk to much. The potassium bicarbonate then would be used to sup the Alk with sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) giving the K addition with out the addition of the Sodium from the sodium bicarbonate or using potassium chloride, which gives the continuous addition of chloride.
You will not know what the K demand is without a test kit, which is mine and Randy's issue really.
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8138488#post8138488 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Boomer
One of my guys on another fourm also has the test kit. This kit was 250 and lab test was 258 for K in an IO test
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8139805#post8139805 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Randy Holmes-Farley
While at the store I checked out the salt substitute called "NoSalt" and it indeed did have Potassium Chloride, however it also had the following ingredients which concerned me and Im not so sure I want in my tank : potassium bitartrate, adipic acid, fumaric acid, silicon dioxide, mineral oil.
I guess I'd probably avoid the salt substitute since we cannot readily know how much of what is there. Those ingredients may not be bad at low levels, but they might be 50% of the product.
If anything those numbers give me confidence that the test kit is good to go!
Do you agree?
I'm sure Boomer is not saying there is a problem based on those numbers. IMO, that is certainly as close as could be hoped for.
Ok that makes sense about the bicarbonate then....I would much rather have it raise alk rather than chlorides over time, given that chlorides will build over time.
No, the math is wrong. 2 grams of potassium bicarbonate will hold about a gram of potassium (guestimate). Then 1 g in 50 gallons (185 L) only boosts potassium by 1,000 mg/185 L = 5 ppm.
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8140116#post8140116 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Boomer
I see where I screwed up now :lol:
2 grams would yield 39% / gram K or .78 g
100 grams of KHCO3 = 39 grams K
39,000 / 185 = 210 ppm K, which would really boost the Alk
Kurt
Those numbers are fine for the kit