Potassium

[matt_84]

Hi all,
Long time lurker, first time poster.

Just have a couple of question about potassium. I have been running zeovit for about 9 months now and my potassium levels have been dropping (I also run a skimz SM251 internal needlewheel skimmer, which apparently wouldn't be helping things).
I have been regularly testing and adding a potassium chloride (ultimate aquacare brand) solution to keep it within the range 380-400. Recently I ran out of reagents for my salifert potassium test kit and there seems to be a shortage in Australia so I haven't been able to get a new one for about a month.
So instead of dosing I have been doing regular 15% water changes a week with RS blue bucket. I'm hoping this will keep the levels from dropping too much until I get a new test kit.

So the questions I have are:
1. Is it possible to make my own potassium supplement using dry potassium chloride? Or is there a more preferred potassium XXXX that could be used?

2. Can anyone suggest a different test kit until I am able to source another salifert one?

3. Are there any signs of potassium deficiency or excess in an aquarium? I’ve heard of slow growth, washed out montis..

Cheers,
Matt

 

[JimWelsh]

1) Yes, if you understand the relatively simple math. What source are you contemplating for it? On the rare occasions when I dose potassium, I'm dosing a potassium chloride / potassium sulfate mixture, to help keep my chloride/sulfate balance right, but for the small amount of dosing we're talking about, this really doesn't matter much. I just happened to have easy access to potassium sulfate.

2) Red Sea makes one. It comes as a part of their "Coral Colors Pro" set of test kits.

3) Sorry, I don't know.

 

[matt_84]

Thanks for your reply.
Was thinking of getting the KCL from here:
http://auschems.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=103

and I'll look into the red sea test kit!

Thanks again!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

That is a fine source of potassium.