Magnesium Nitrate

[rgj01]

I need to add nitrogen to my planted tank, and all the 'recipies' i see say to use potassium nitrate.

I have not been able to find potassium nitrate, but i have got some magnesium nitrate.

has anyone used this in their planted tank (and not killed the fishies?)

thanks.

 

[Anonymous]

I suspect that will drive the hardness (GH) up higher than you'd like to see. I've always read that magnesium is one of the primary components of hardness...not sure if potassium would contribute as much/more/less than magnesium.

 

[gpodio]

Yeah, KNO3 is best, it's cheap and easily available here:
http://www.gregwatson.com/DryAquaticFertilizers.asp

No problem in regards to the potassium that goes along with it, acceptable potassium range in rather wide.

Hope that helps

 

[Anonymous]

Yeah, KNO3 is best, it's cheap and easily available here:
http://www.gregwatson.com/DryAquaticFertilizers.asp

No problem in regards to the potassium that goes along with it, acceptable potassium range in rather wide.

Hope that helps

That's a great link!! :wink:

 

[gpodio]

And Greg's a nice guy too, he can get other chemicals that are not listed on his site. He certainly filled a void, we used to clean out the HD shelves of stump remover to get our hands on KNO3 and was always a question of which brand contained what impurities and such... There are also links on his site (and mine if needed) to calculate solution mix and doses...

Giancarlo

 

[rgj01]

Thanks for answering, but from the link above:

Note: Ships only to the US and Canada. This product can not be shipped Internationally.

I live in Australia, so that doesn't help me at all.

If anyone knows where i can get KNO3 in Oz at all, I would be most grateful.

Thanks all.

 

[gpodio]

Most feed and farming supplies carry it as it's used as a fertilizer in farming. Many stump removers use straight KNO3, Green Light is one brand we know is KNO3. Some pharmacists will get it for you but they usually want to know the person they are selling it to. It's also used used in rocket fuel so some specialized hobby stores also carry it.

If all else fails, keep an eye on eBay, there's always someone selling the stuff there. A pound should last you over a year so you don't need much.

Hope that helps