Equilibrium solubility

[yevgenb]

Hi there,

I have recently decided to try EI for my 10 gal tank but having problem dissolving macros solution - according to Tom's recipe I mixed 15g kno3, 2.5g KH2PO4 and 6.2 g equilibrium. As result I've got some milky looking solution with some sediments in the mix. Is it how it suppose to look?

 

[Philosophos]

Welcome to the forum.

Check out the analysis on equilibrium here

They list calcium sulphate - CaSO4 as an ingredient. This compound has poor solubility. Shake the bottle before dosing, and try dry dosing in the future. Gently heating the CaSO4 in DI before adding the other compounds may work as well.

-Philosophos

 

[jonny_ftm]

Hi,

Dosing dry will worsen the things with CaSO4, it will precipitate and form a piece of "rock" and you won't avoid a milky aspect in your aquarium

Just put it in a kind of strainer and dilue it slowly pressing with your finger in a recipient, shake well. A milky aspect is normal and will disappear, than add the solution to the tank. Solubility is very low, so use 2-4L recipient at least or heat water before mixing, but I find it energy wasting. That's how I do. A workaround would be using CaCL2

 

[Philosophos]

Yes, as jonny says, pre-mix. Do it for anything that's dry dosed. You could also try moving away from equilibrium and creating your own mix; it allows for more control over the variables in your aquarium. I find it helps compensating for tap water parameters when you're not forced to dose a fixed ratio.

-Philosophos