KNO3 - strange color

[punky]

Hi, I dose EI and just bought some KNO3. I prefer to mix the compound with water before dosing rather than dosing dry into the tank.

Usually when I mix KNO3 with water, the solution remains transparent but this time it turned light milky white with some floating pieces. Should I be worried about the chemical I bought?

Thank you.

 

[VaughnH]

Hi, I dose EI and just bought some KNO3. I prefer to mix the compound with water before dosing rather than dosing dry into the tank.

Usually when I mix KNO3 with water, the solution remains transparent but this time it turned light milky white with some floating pieces. Should I be worried about the chemical I bought?

Thank you.

I would be worried until I figured out what was happening. Where did you get the KNO3? Does the dry powder look like it usually does?

 

[punky]

Same place I usually buy (3rd time). It is a local chemical selling laboratory services. Never had any problems.

The KNO3 looks finer than usual and it sends a 'cloud of dust' whenever I pour some in the mixing container. At the top of the mixing container remains a thin film of white dust if I leave the solution to settle. The thin film can be removed by a paper towel.

 

[VaughnH]

That stuff is not KNO3. It may have some KNO3 in it, but KNO3 dissolves easily in water, so you should get neither cloudiness nor a film of stuff on the surface. I don't know where you live, but if it is in the USA you can order KNO3 from several websites here, very cheaply. Some of those websites are:
Planted Aquarium Fertilizer
Aquarium Plant Fertilizer | Compounds - Tablets - Supplements
Fertilizers For The Planted Tank | Ferts