Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Where in Brisbane can I buy some calcium carbonate and potassium carbonate?

AP

I get my calcium carbonate from a local produce shop. Is sold a supplement for horses. Be sure to get the one that is just calcium carbonate as there are some that also contain phosphate. As for potassium carbonate - I'd like to know that also.

VB tell me about the calcium carbonate, how good did it work and how much did you use in your situation?

AP

calcium carbonate rocks

but dont expect to measure a change instantly.

Vb,
I did some googling and found out potassium carbonate is common old potash that you apply to soil. I have some at work. I will check out the contents to see if it is pure.

AP

make sure its not caustic potash, thats a whole nother thing!

Steve i believe i will be looking for K2CO3 is this right?

AP

sounds good.

will look it up to find what it buffers too.

the reason i like CaCO3 is because of the mid 7's ph and its relative insoulubility you have a visual indication

Brian - calcium carbonate powder (which is what I use) is extremely effective at buffering pH to about 7.4. As it only really dissolves as needed - then I just add a cup full and test every month or 2 (or 3 ) to see if the pH is dropping at all. If my system was stocked at higher levels, I may watch pH more closely.

It may be a while before your system starts experiencing the downward pushing effects of nitrification. I reckon a lot of the rockes we use probably already have a degree of buffer in them and this stabilises the system for a while after commencement. All the same - some calcium carbonate in the system from the start will do no harm.

Your issue currently is too high pH though isn't it?

looks like potassium carbonate will hit ph 10+

thats also what i like about calcium carbonate, cant really over do it by accident

Vb no my ph is 6.0 i did a complete water change as the ammonia went through the roof and the ph went 8.0 plus and the water went a very dark green with alge strands. it smelt very bad. Since the water change the ammonia is 4.0 , nitites 2.0 nirates .05 and ph has droped from 7.2 to 6.0 in 4 days. i want to bring up the ph so the bactiria will work more efficantly..

AP

Yep - that's bacteria action for you AP. I found this pH drop to be extremely quick also when playing with urine cycling and in the end assumed that the urine itself (as well as the nitrification) must have been contributing.

Anyway - get some calcium carbonate powder in quick smart. Somewhere on here I posted the name of the product that I use. I'll have a look. If I can't locate it and you need it to help find some - let me know and I'll ring the joint I get it from and ask them the name.

are you anywhere near a beach?

Don't think I did ever post the name AP. Beware though - doing a search on google I found a couple of products that are way overpriced.

I get mine for about the same price as shell grit - between 1 and 2 dollars a kilo. Might have been about $1.50 a kilo or maybe even less. I only use this in preference to shell because I think it is more efficient and somewhat more effective in the short term.

VB shell grit or actual shells?

i usually bust mine up good in a bag with a hammer