Plaster Of Paris Calcium Source

[redilyn]

Hi,

Can someone give me an idea how much plaster of paris I would use to with magnesium sulfate to raise GH 1 degree?

The msds for the plaster of paris says it contains the following:

plaster of paris - 60-100%
limestone - 10-30%
crystalline silica - 0.5-1.5%

 

[redilyn]

I guess I should give a little more info

My tap water is 3dkh, 20ppm KH, and a ph of 6

Since I don't know my calcium and magnesium levels I would like to raise the gh a bit to ensure im not short on either. This would be part of my EI dosing.

I am using epsom salt for magnesium.

 

[Biollante]

Information Please

Hi,

Along with the more information thing, the size of the tank helps.

Generally, I recommend a GH booster but it is not necessary.

I can tell you that you cannot have only 20-ppm KH and 3 dKH, either you have 1.1 dKH or you have 51-ppm KH or so.

Personally, I dose to raise my general hardness GH at each water change.

Why don’t you start by telling us a little about yourself and your setup and what you are trying to accomplish?

Except for me, almost everyone is friendly.

Biollante

 

[redilyn]

Along with the more information thing, the size of the tank helps.

Opps, ya that would probably help a lot eh? It is a 55gallon.

I can tell you that you cannot have only 20-ppm KH and 3 dKH, either you have 1.1 dKH or you have 51-ppm KH or so.

Ok, I'm confused now. I am willing to accept that my test kit is not accurate (nutrifin test kit). It also gives measurments in mg/l which I tried to convert to degrees. But the numbers I gave are what I am getting. I will give them again in mg/l.

GH 60mg/l
KH 20mg/l

My water is from a sand point if that makes any difference.

Why don’t you start by telling us a little about yourself and your setup and what you are trying to accomplish?

In the EI dosing sticky it mentions raising GH 1 degree to ensure calcium and magnesium are adequate. This is what I'm trying to do

Its late here and I don't feel like typing to much but I will gladly provide more information about my setup later. I really like this forum (just found it recently) and plan to get more involved.

Thank you for helping me again Biollante. BTW the cidex is working well

 

[redilyn]

Ok, I feel totally dumb now... You are correct those numbers are not right....

I mixed my test results for my tank & tap water tests. Lets just go with the results from my testing of the tank water and forgive me for my stupidity LoL.

PH 6.4
KH 40mg/l
GH 60mg/l

 

[Biollante]

KH GH Who Knew

Hi,

I sort of figured you got your KH’s and GH’s confused, had I been one of the decent folk around here, well…

I would go with three-quarters to a teaspoon of the plaster of Paris and half to a teaspoon of Epsom Salts at each 50% or greater water change it will raise the general hardness to 6 or 7 dGH. It will make sure your plants, fish and snails are good and strong, if you are heavily planted and/or into gastropods use significantly more. :gw

I am glad to hear the Cidex is working well. I cannot believe how much some of these outfits get for thing by marketing it to hobbyists.

Good luck
Biollante

 

[redilyn]

Thank you again Biollante. Your help is always appreciated.