Hi, yes my first post, sorry for the lack of a proper introduction...
This whole peptide thing that makes bicarb disappear finally got me to pitch in.
In short: my name is René, I live in The Netherlands, been in the hobby for 16 years now, just started my third tank, after two 55 gallon ones now finally a proper 225 gallon system.
I have another simple theory about the disappearing carbonates and its much like the explanation of a magic trick:
They were never there to begin with.
- I'm assuming that the statement by FM that there is only bicarbonate in their KH mix is true.
- As shown in this topic the pH of the FM KH solution is 8.7. Suggestive of bicarbonate, although a bit high.
- The Balling Light manual states to dissolve 100 grams of "KH-powder" per liter to form the dosing solution.
It also states that 10mL of that solution would increase the KH of 100 Liter by about 0.5. Meaning that the solution would need to contain about 5000 KH/L.
- If a peptide was added to increase the solubility, then to achieve 5000 KH/L one would need to dissolve about 150 grams of sodium bicarbonate per liter. Unless this mystery peptide makes mass disappear or the bicarb is not actually bicarb...
- All users report that a similar proportion of the KH dosed in the bolus does not turn up in the tank. Almost half the dose is unaccounted for.
- 100 grams of sodium bicarbonate contains about 3340 KH. The solubility of sodium bicarbonate at 20 C is 96 grams/L, what would be about 3200 KH/L.
- 3200/5000 = 0,64 (almost half).
So, if it really is bicarbonate, then maybe the numbers in the manual are just simply wrong.
Only problem, this does not explain the results of the test done by Welsch Reefer.
This whole peptide thing that makes bicarb disappear finally got me to pitch in.
In short: my name is René, I live in The Netherlands, been in the hobby for 16 years now, just started my third tank, after two 55 gallon ones now finally a proper 225 gallon system.
I have another simple theory about the disappearing carbonates and its much like the explanation of a magic trick:
They were never there to begin with.
- I'm assuming that the statement by FM that there is only bicarbonate in their KH mix is true.
- As shown in this topic the pH of the FM KH solution is 8.7. Suggestive of bicarbonate, although a bit high.
- The Balling Light manual states to dissolve 100 grams of "KH-powder" per liter to form the dosing solution.
It also states that 10mL of that solution would increase the KH of 100 Liter by about 0.5. Meaning that the solution would need to contain about 5000 KH/L.
- If a peptide was added to increase the solubility, then to achieve 5000 KH/L one would need to dissolve about 150 grams of sodium bicarbonate per liter. Unless this mystery peptide makes mass disappear or the bicarb is not actually bicarb...
- All users report that a similar proportion of the KH dosed in the bolus does not turn up in the tank. Almost half the dose is unaccounted for.
- 100 grams of sodium bicarbonate contains about 3340 KH. The solubility of sodium bicarbonate at 20 C is 96 grams/L, what would be about 3200 KH/L.
- 3200/5000 = 0,64 (almost half).
So, if it really is bicarbonate, then maybe the numbers in the manual are just simply wrong.
Only problem, this does not explain the results of the test done by Welsch Reefer.
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