Alternate source for K - Aquarium Advice

fish_4_all · 04-23-2007, 02:10 AM

I was wondering if there is alternative source for K. I know about fleet enema for PO4, stump remover for KNO3 and I even have a source for Calcium chloride from a hot tub store.

Is there any alternative source for K as in K2SO4 or maybe KCL that can be purchased at a hardware or other possible place? I know i can order it from Gregs but I have no need because everything else will last me a long time except for the K2SO4 and shipping would make it unreasonable. Should have ordered 4 pounds when I made my first order.

hashbaz · 04-23-2007, 02:45 AM

KCl used in water softeners is probably your best bet. But the Cl might cause problems - it is good to avoid Cl if you can. Some people say that they get enough K from the KH2PO4 and KNO3...

It is very nice to find a local group of hobbiests. You can split shipping on plants and ferts etc etc.

Hoovercat · 04-23-2007, 08:54 AM

Look for sulfate of potash through garden supply retailers.

**Purrbox** · 04-23-2007, 11:16 AM

The NoSalt available at your local grocery store is KCl and commonly recommended for dosing K.

MSU Fan · 04-23-2007, 12:42 PM

I use NoSalt, and it works fine for my plants!

fish_4_all · 04-23-2007, 04:49 PM

Well duh, I knew there was something. Now if it is only cheaper than ordering it in bulk. I know, I use a lot but my plants love it, 1/4 tsp every other day.

Thanks for the replies everyone!

I guess it isn't bad. 1/3 tsp to get my target in my 10 gallon tanks. Should last a long time even only getting 11 oz. from the local store.

Thanks again

Well I found a source for really cheap! My local Sears carries KCl for use in water softeners, 40 lb bags for $9.99. Now I know I will never run out if I go this way. At least it is enough that I can use it to fertilize my lawn plants too.

Zezmo · 04-23-2007, 06:08 PM

Cl = chloride, is not the same as Chlorine. The chloride should not be an issue in dosing.

Hoovercat · 04-23-2007, 08:11 PM

Sulfate of potash is K2SO4 though. The same thing GW sells.

On the stump remover, I've found the Bonide brand Ace hardware sells is powdery like GW's. The Grant's that is usually mentioned is "pelletised" so it needs ground back to powder or dissolved in water as fish see it as food.

fish_4_all · 04-23-2007, 09:07 PM

Well my LFS which is a lawn and garden sells Potash. I think it is 60% K2O so I will have to see if they sell sulfate of Potash but I doubt it. Lots of options which is good so I can decide when I run out in about 3 weeks.

Hoovercat · 04-23-2007, 09:12 PM

http://cgi.ebay.com/Sulfate-of-Potas...QQcmdZViewItem

My only question is does anyone know gardening ferts well enough to say decisively if this is pure K2SO4? Reasoning says yes because it delivers 50% by weight of K. The remaing weight would be Sulphur and Oxygen ions?

04-23-2007, 02:10 AM	#1
fish_4_all Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Aberdeen, WA Posts: 1,809 Images: 4	Alternate source for K I was wondering if there is alternative source for K. I know about fleet enema for PO4, stump remover for KNO3 and I even have a source for Calcium chloride from a hot tub store. Is there any alternative source for K as in K2SO4 or maybe KCL that can be purchased at a hardware or other possible place? I know i can order it from Gregs but I have no need because everything else will last me a long time except for the K2SO4 and shipping would make it unreasonable. Should have ordered 4 pounds when I made my first order.

04-23-2007, 02:45 AM	#2
hashbaz Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Utah, USA Posts: 745 Images: 1	KCl used in water softeners is probably your best bet. But the Cl might cause problems - it is good to avoid Cl if you can. Some people say that they get enough K from the KH2PO4 and KNO3... It is very nice to find a local group of hobbiests. You can split shipping on plants and ferts etc etc. __________________ link to 75 gallon planted 10 & 29 gal QT/nursery/undecided

04-23-2007, 11:16 AM	#4
Purrbox Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Iowa USA Posts: 5,395	The NoSalt available at your local grocery store is KCl and commonly recommended for dosing K. __________________ ~Joy 10 Gallon Planted Photo Log - 5.5 Gallon Planted Photo Log - 2.5 Gallon Planted Photo Log - Pico Planted Photo Log

04-23-2007, 12:42 PM	#5
MSU Fan Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Appleton, WI Posts: 547 Images: 2	I use NoSalt, and it works fine for my plants! __________________ 75g FW Planted Community; 55g African Cichlid 29g Biocube SW Reef;12g AP Mantis Shrimp/Brittle Star 2 Cats, 2 Dogs, 5 Turtles

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04-23-2007, 08:54 AM	#3
Hoovercat Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Memphis,Tn US Posts: 438	Look for sulfate of potash through garden supply retailers.

04-23-2007, 04:49 PM	#6
fish_4_all Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Aberdeen, WA Posts: 1,809 Images: 4	Well duh, I knew there was something. Now if it is only cheaper than ordering it in bulk. I know, I use a lot but my plants love it, 1/4 tsp every other day. Thanks for the replies everyone! I guess it isn't bad. 1/3 tsp to get my target in my 10 gallon tanks. Should last a long time even only getting 11 oz. from the local store. Thanks again Well I found a source for really cheap! My local Sears carries KCl for use in water softeners, 40 lb bags for $9.99. Now I know I will never run out if I go this way. At least it is enough that I can use it to fertilize my lawn plants too.

04-23-2007, 06:08 PM	#7
Zezmo Aquarium Advice Addict Community Mentor Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Northern California Posts: 1,112 Images: 14	Cl = chloride, is not the same as Chlorine. The chloride should not be an issue in dosing.

04-23-2007, 08:11 PM	#8
Hoovercat Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Memphis,Tn US Posts: 438	Sulfate of potash is K2SO4 though. The same thing GW sells. On the stump remover, I've found the Bonide brand Ace hardware sells is powdery like GW's. The Grant's that is usually mentioned is "pelletised" so it needs ground back to powder or dissolved in water as fish see it as food.

04-23-2007, 09:07 PM	#9
fish_4_all Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Aberdeen, WA Posts: 1,809 Images: 4	Well my LFS which is a lawn and garden sells Potash. I think it is 60% K2O so I will have to see if they sell sulfate of Potash but I doubt it. Lots of options which is good so I can decide when I run out in about 3 weeks.

04-23-2007, 09:12 PM	#10
Hoovercat Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Memphis,Tn US Posts: 438	http://cgi.ebay.com/Sulfate-of-Potas...QQcmdZViewItem My only question is does anyone know gardening ferts well enough to say decisively if this is pure K2SO4? Reasoning says yes because it delivers 50% by weight of K. The remaing weight would be Sulphur and Oxygen ions?

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