Where to get boron?

boink

Junior Poster
Nov 24, 2006
12
0
1
Hello,

My trace right now is lacking boron. What would i need to look for to find the correct type of boron i would need to add? Do people use boric acid?

Thanks!
 

Biollante

Lifetime Charter Member
Lifetime Member
Jun 21, 2009
3,210
3
36
Surprise, AZ
Boric Acid

boink;47113 said:
Hello,

My trace right now is lacking boron. What would i need to look for to find the correct type of boron i would need to add? Do people use boric acid?

Thanks!

Hi,

Yes, Boric Acid, H3BO3 is good. Boron should be available at garden centers, pharmacies, health food stores and online. Just be careful with it I think something like 1.2% is what CSM+B uses. :)

Biollante
 

jonny_ftm

Guru Class Expert
Mar 5, 2009
821
2
16
You could also try without Boron to see if it's ok. Dose EI, WC, focus on CO2.

Then, if you see things not going well, add boron. Micro are needed in traces. Most of them are probably present in more then enough quantities in food and as contaminants in water, soil, other ferts... Many people don't need to add micro except iron. Dosing EI we just add more then we need to be on the safe side and let the focus on CO2 and light only. Why bother buying boric acid and playing with it if it's not needed. Or get some CSM+B with DTPA Fe
 

boink

Junior Poster
Nov 24, 2006
12
0
1
I think i read somewhere that the boron percentage is .5%. Does that mean i can add boric acid by weight to CSM to get the correct amount (.5%)?

Well i have been seeing different values of B in CSM+b from .5% to 1.18%. I think i found the answer.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
R

rawjames

Guest
boink,

This is unfortunately 2 years late :D. Lots of people including myself take boron for its great benefits. I buy boron here for my personal and my dad. Boron for personal use - Boron works well in conjunction with calcium to help support healthy bones. It also assists us in retaining magnesium in the body. Boron is an activator for these two minerals, so essential for bone strength and improved cardiovascular health.
 

Seattle_Aquarist

Guru Class Expert
Aug 31, 2008
512
98
28
Seattle, WA
Hi All,

Resurrecting this old thread for a couple of reasons. First to update the information regarding the amount of Boron in CSM+B; aquariumfertilizer.com shows 0.04% boron.
Plantex CSM + Boron
Guaranteed Analysis:

Total magnesium - water soluble chelated magnesium 1.5%
Copper - chelated 0.1%
Iron - chelated 7.0%
Manganese - chelated 2.0%
Molybdenum 0.06%
Zinc - chelated 0.40%
Boron 0.04%
EDTA - minimum content 55%

Secondly, I have been suffering with full leaf necrosis on my java ferns (Microsporum pterous species) typically a few times a year. The plants grow normally, becoming lush and dense showing no signs of deficiency, and then the leaf and leaf stem necrosis begins. It effects both new and old leaves but not the rhizomes. After the leaves die off new growth begins within a week or two and the cycle begins again. It effects both my 'Windelov' and 'Trident' variants.

My research suggests that I may have a boron deficiency which can be a cause of leaf necrosis in both old and young leaves. This makes some sense since plants this area of the country (Washington State west of the Cascades) can suffer from boron deficiency so our soil and water is likely low in boron. Although I dose CSM+B (B=boron and is supposed to be added by the seller) and Seachem Flourish Comprehensive both of which have some boron I have purchased some boron and will report my results.
 

reef12

Member
Apr 29, 2013
534
0
16
Tulsa
Glad to hear this.

Does it effect all the other plants also?

Bet it would.

Be interesting to see what you come up with Roy.

Jeff
 

Seattle_Aquarist

Guru Class Expert
Aug 31, 2008
512
98
28
Seattle, WA
Hi Jeff,

The only plants that seem to be affected are the Microsporum pterous species although I have a large variety of other plants in the tanks including Limnophila aromatica, Hygrophila lancea, Bolbitis 'short form', Crypts (various) Ludwigia arcuata X repens, Ludwigia X Lacustris, Ceratopteris (two types), Marsilea minuta, Helanthium bolivianum "Vesuvius, Persicaria 'Kawagoeanum', and others. It could be that the Microsporum pterous are just the first to show extreme signs of the deficiency?