Is it Hydrochloric Acid that is mixed with liquid ferts?

[AquaticJim]

Hi,

I remember reading somewhere that you can mix (I think it was Hydrochloric Acid) with my liquid ferts to stop it going gunky.

Is that correct? If so, how much hydrochloric would I mix up with 280ml of liquid ferts? I make up 280ml at a time and dose 20ml a day and it gets a bit funky before I have used it all and I do mix using distilled water.

 

[Tom Barr]

Generally, the old reference is from Kevin Conlin and PMDD:

But, you can use Potassium ascorbate and/or Excel etc also.

http://www.thekrib.com/Plants/Fertilizer/pmdd-tim.html

 

[Tom Barr]

Generally, the old reference is from Kevin Conlin and PMDD:

But, you can use Potassium ascorbate and/or Excel etc also.

http://www.thekrib.com/Plants/Fertilizer/pmdd-tim.html

 

[AquaticJim]

Thanks for the link Tom, I'll give Excel a go and see if it works to keep the mix less funky as it's a lot nicer to handle than HC acid.

 

[scottward]

Out of interest AquaticJim, by 'funky' do you mean in terms of an 'off' smell or do you mean in terms of 'bits' floating about in the ferts?

I have made my own trace mix (similar to CSM+B, I used Rexolin APN) and didn't add any HC acid etc. I notice that towards the end of the bottle there are 'bits' floating about in it.

I suppose these bits are some type of growth that has occurred in the absence of the HC acid.

I understand that as an alternative to the HC acid (or whatever) you can keep the liquid in the fridge.

However - I don't really mind the 'bits' in the ferts - does the presence of them 'damage' (can't think of the right word here) the fertiliser in any way? I don't believe so, my understanding is that adding the acid etc to prevent the fungal growth is just to make the fertiliser look nicer when it's tipped in the tank??? ;-)

Scott.

 

[AquaticJim]

Out of interest AquaticJim, by 'funky' do you mean in terms of an 'off' smell or do you mean in terms of 'bits' floating about in the ferts?

Hi Scott,

I've never really noticed an off smell. Just the bits and pieces of 'stuff' floating in the solution towards the end before I make up a new batch.

I have been putting a few drops of Excel in when I make up a new batch and theres no more floating bits anymore.

 

[scottward]

Cool. And I'm pretty sure those bits floating in there are OK - i.e. they don't mean that the ferts has lost it's FERT POWER in any way?

S.