Need Roi Mineral Help

[BettaBrooke]

Hello!

I'm new to this forum, but I wanted to clear a few concerns of mine up before I begin cycling my tank. I have been researching how to add minerals back to ROI water properly, what products to use, and how much to use, but it never seems like I can get a straight answer, so hopefully some of you will be able to help.

I currently go to college, but my hometown uses well water, which I've read can have a negative impact on your fish. I used to own a crowntail betta, but could never get my water parameters under control and in a suitable range, so he unfortunately passed away. I tried Indian Almond Leaves, CaribSea, live plants, and aeration, but nothing ever helped. Due to this, I decided to invest in a ROI system to use for when I decide to purchase another betta. After researching online, I read that the use of Seachem Equilibrium, Seachem Acid Buffer, and Seachem Alkaline Buffer together will restore all of the minerals needed in your water after using a ROI system. I also purchased Nutritrace CSM + B because I read that those micro elements are needed for a planted aquarium.

I know many suggest just adding tap water to the ROI water to restore the minerals needed, but I do not feel comfortable doing this because of what happened with my past betta and the well water. My hometown's well water was extremely hard, too alkaline, and contained heavy metals that never seemed to go away despite my use of water conditioner. I also know many aquarists say, "Your fish will adjust to the levels of your water naturally," but I'm the kind of fish owner who likes to give my fish what they would prefer in their natural environments. I'm aware I need more supplies for a healthy planted aquarium, like a CO2 system; I just haven't gotten around to purchasing it yet, and I want to cycle my tank first before worrying about that.

I guess my questions are: Has anyone had success with using these Seachem products together in ROI water? Do they keep the water levels stable enough until a weekly water change? Is there another substance I should be adding? How much of these substances should I be adding if I plan to use a 10 gallon aquarium? What levels should I keep my tank when housing a betta? I already know you ideally want 78 degrees F, pH = 7, ammonia = 0 ppm, nitrites = 0 ppm, and nitrates <20 ppm, but what about things like GH, KH, K, Ca, and other trace elements? I can't seem to find any concrete answers on those things.

Any help and advice would be appreciated!

 

[Phishless]

I use GH Booster from NilocG.com
Colin also sells EI fert package thay contains CSM+B
For KH I use baking soda to reach 1 KH.

Look up ideal water parameters for a betta and you could match exactly.

I am mostly "Phishless"

 

[rajkm]

I use used GLA GH Booster, Seachem Equilibrium and Secheam replenish.
I have settled on using Equilibrium just because it doesn’t clump like GH Booster and is not watered down replenish.

Usually all of them add Calcium and Magnesium. Some add sodium for general use conditioner, others have potassium, Manganese and iron

Just follow the directions for target GH levels.

For KH I use Seachem Acid buffer.

 

[Jim Harger]

I use used GLA GH Booster, Seachem Equilibrium and Secheam replenish.
I have settled on using Equilibrium just because it doesn’t clump like GH Booster and is not watered down replenish.

Usually all of them add Calcium and Magnesium. Some add sodium for general use conditioner, others have potassium, Manganese and iron

Just follow the directions for target GH levels.

For KH I use Seachem Acid buffer.

Don't you. mean you use Seachem Alkaline Buffer for KH? Acid buffer consumes KH and turns it in to CO2

 

[Greggz]

I use MgSO4 and CaSO4 for GH. It's cheaper than buying a GH booster, and you can control the ratio. And they don't turn into a brick like when they are mixed together in a booster.

For KH I use K2CO3, but baking soda works too.

 

[Jim Harger]

I use MgSO4 and CaSO4 for GH. It's cheaper than buying a GH booster, and you can control the ratio. And they don't turn into a brick like when they are mixed together in a booster.

For KH I use K2CO3, but baking soda works too.

What's your source for K2CO3?

 

[Greggz]

What's your source for K2CO3?

Here you go.....................

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009GAHL8Y/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Jim Harger]

Here you go.....................

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009GAHL8Y/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Whoa, Seachem Alkaline buffer is much cheaper if bought in the 4kg bucket.
https://www.petmountain.com/product...YVBTVpcOXk3JaxfwLMaAmZDEALw_wcB&variant=31957

 

[Greggz]

Whoa, Seachem Alkaline buffer is much cheaper if bought in the 4kg bucket.

Not really.

It's a mix of KHCO3 and sodium, potassium, magnesium, and other bicarbonates. No way to tell how much KHCO3 you actually get and how much you need to dose of that mix to raise KH.

And using KHCO3 requires about 50% more dosing by weight to achieve the same KH rise as K2CO3. But tough to compare, because no one knows how much KHCO3 you are getting with the Seachem product. But my guess is you are dumping in loads more to reach the same KH, and it's probably the most expensive way to do it.

Personally I would dose pure K2CO3 or KHCO3, so you know what you are adding to the tank. Much cheaper too.

And with a 10G tank, you only need 2.79 grams of K2CO3 to raise dKH by 3. So that 1kg container is about 7 years of dosing.

 

[Jim Harger]

Not really.

It's a mix of KHCO3 and sodium, potassium, magnesium, and other bicarbonates. No way to tell how much KHCO3 you actually get and how much you need to dose of that mix to raise KH.

And using KHCO3 requires about 50% more dosing by weight to achieve the same KH rise as K2CO3. But tough to compare, because no one knows how much KHCO3 you are getting with the Seachem product. But my guess is you are dumping in loads more to reach the same KH, and it's probably the most expensive way to do it.

Personally I would dose pure K2CO3 or KHCO3, so you know what you are adding to the tank. Much cheaper too.

And with a 10G tank, you only need 2.79 grams of K2CO3 to raise dKH by 3. So that 1kg container is about 7 years of dosing.

Seachem doesn't list what's in there alkaline buffer. You're saying the mix varies? Is that a guess or do you have some inside information? I'm adding 2 teaspoons (14g) to 50gal for a 4dKH rise.

 

[Greggz]

Seachem doesn't list what's in there alkaline buffer. You're saying the mix varies? Is that a guess or do you have some inside information? I'm adding 2 teaspoons (14g) to 50gal for a 4dKH rise.

No inside information. Like you, no ones knows the ratios. The other ingredients are ones they had listed at one time. So it's a mix of of something, just not sure what.

And not saying it doesn't work fine, you just don't know what else you are adding to the tank.

Interesting if you calculate for a raise of 4 dKH, Zorfox says to add 27 grams of KHCO3? But who knows, and it's not that important, as long as what you are doing is working for you.

Anyway, I have nothing against Seachem. Lots of ways to raise KH, and each to his own. It's all good.

 

[rajkm]

Don't you. mean you use Seachem Alkaline Buffer for KH? Acid buffer consumes KH and turns it in to CO2

Yes, Alkaline buffer.