Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I just picked up some Flourish products. They are meant as supplements for planted aquariums but I asked and was told they were safe for the fish as well as being safe for fish meant as food so long as they are used as directed. I got the Iron and the potassium but they also sell something called Pond Flourish that has both Iron and Potassium as well as other goodies for the plants.

Good morning all in the southern hemisphere and evening in the northern. Been reading this section on potassium, and just wanted to double check before adding anything to the tank, I have Yates sulphate of Potash, I would like to add to 3000 Lt of water,

1. Is it a safe product for the fish
2. what doseage maybe recommended

Cheers

Jessy hi and welcome. do not use sulfate of potasium it will kill the fish. Use Potassium carbonate. It is safe. Not sure where you will find it in the US.

Aussieponic

Ok , too late, already added, sit back and see what happens.

Hey Aussieponic, WA , is west of you mate,

Jessy Doh!!!!! stupid me i read your post wrong saw it as hi from the northern hemisphere.


AP

Hey AP - I've been using cream of tartar - have you found a cheaper source?

whats the beef with potassium sulphate?

i have used magnesium sulphate with no ill effects

I've been using Murate of Potash (potassium chloride) lately, like a 1/2 tsp to a tsp at the inlet to each of the larger grow beds. So far ok.

I've also been using Iron Sulfate since chelated Iron is harder to find around here.

All is well after adding a table spoon of potassium sulphate to 1800 ltrs. Also put some with seasol for a foliage spray.

Fish showing no visible signs of stress after adding the sulfate of potassium. Using charlie carp fertilizer also, instead of seasol. i did use seasol in the first few months of starting the system, with average results, and I am thinking that the Charlie Carp has helped to give a good fruiting crop. System is only 4 months old am I am stoked with the progress and looking forward to the future growth

Nice stuff Jessy...

Seasol is only really a nitrogen fertiliser... useful as a foliar spray... and some people put it into the tank as an extra "nitrogen" source to supplement the fish nutrients..

i.e ... they may be a bit light of fish/feed for the number of plants... it ultimately gets converted to nitrates...

I'm sure that it has some trace elements in it.... but it's primarily intended as a foliar "fertiliser"....

I prefer Maxicrop (liquid seaweed) as it has a higher trace element count (particualarly Potassium and Iron)....

Think traditional NKP fertilisers.... what you want for flowering fruiting plants is a high Potassium additive (K)...

Whereas for general leaf (and early) growth, you need higher Nitrogen (N) and Phosporus (P)

Not sure where Charlie Carp fits in there... and I'll do a search throuigh the forum...

Think it's OK.... but don't ... repeat DON'T use Thrive....

gotcha R.O.Z, Thanks

If you're at flower/fruit stage.... and your pH needs some buffering... or you've got a powdery mildew problem...

You could try a product called "EcoRose" (sold at Bunnings).... Potassium BiCarbonate...

Kills three birds with one stone .. so to speak... provides Potassium, buffers pH and helps with powdery mildew....

Discussed here ... viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2945

ok my main concern with sulfates and bicarbonates is the salt factor, particerly sulfates. i am sure somewhere here on the forum ppl have had concerns about sulphates?

AP


VB Got some granulated potassium carbonate for free from Bayside Chemicals before they closed down.