HCL in CSM+B producing scale?

ibnozn

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The last couple of times I mixed up CSM and added HCL the result was a fair amount of mineral scale of some sort in my mix. No fungus but I'm not real happy with this new stuff either. I'm adding 5-10ml of 31% HCL per 500ml of fert solution at the end, after mixing the CMS and water. Is this normal or am I doing something wrong?

Noticed some talk about adding Excel to the mix too. Does that work to curb fungus in the fert mix or is it mainly to prolong Fe availability?
 

Philosophos

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When you say mineral scale, do you mean where it dried? If so, I've always had evaporated stock solution leave residue; it converts back to salts. You'll probably have everything you put in the bottle reconstitute on the side.

Excel prevents mold/fungus.
 
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B

Brian20

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I can add excel to Micros solution with problems? mmm sounds good!
 

ibnozn

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I get residue where it dries also but this stuff is different. It forms in the solution and the flakes settle on the bottom of the bottle without redissolving.

I'm making up some CSM+B w/ DTPA this evening. Would it be better just to switch to using Excel then or is there a benefit to using HCL?
 

jonny_ftm

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You use DI for the mix? If not, it could be some phosphate or Ca salts precipitating
 

Tug

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Thats right

jonny_ftm and Dan are on to something ibnozn. Add HCL to DI water - wait. Add Plantex/DTPA - 20mL excel/500mL stock. Clean the dried salt from those crusty edges. :eek:
 
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barbarossa4122

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ibnozn;49490 said:
I get residue where it dries also but this stuff is different. It forms in the solution and the flakes settle on the bottom of the bottle without redissolving.

I'm making up some CSM+B w/ DTPA this evening. Would it be better just to switch to using Excel then or is there a benefit to using HCL?

Happened to me once but, it dissolved after I shook the bottle 100 times. Sine I am using Metricide14, no more problems.
 

Tug

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HCL will lower the pH some. That should help some of the chelates like EDTA, kills mold, etc. Add any HCL to DI water first. This should prevent precipitates from forming. Then add Plantex, top off to 500mL, then the Excel/Metricide14. Any phosphate in your drinking/tap water, if you use that, can cause precipitates.
 
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Philosophos

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ibnozn;49490 said:
I get residue where it dries also but this stuff is different. It forms in the solution and the flakes settle on the bottom of the bottle without redissolving.

I'm making up some CSM+B w/ DTPA this evening. Would it be better just to switch to using Excel then or is there a benefit to using HCL?

You've got a precipitate happening then.

Did you wait a good 5 minutes after adding the HCl before adding the CSM+B?
 

ibnozn

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Thanks for the help. I do use RO/DI so it probably is the order I'm mixing it which is the problem. The acid hitting the mixed solution must be causing the precipitate. I'll add the HCL to water 1st.