Magnesium Sulfate, Potassium Bicarbonate, Potassium Chloride in distilled water

[GARRIGA]

These are supposedly the minerals added to the Parent's Choice distilled water I've been using. Supposedly added for taste. Confirmed no fluoride is added. At the moment, RODI not an option and driving to the LFS neither.

I say supposedly because I've found it mentioned on a couple of webstites along with a phone conversation with Walmart which distributes this product. Just spoke with the manufacturer and they read the test results off the bottle I'm currently using and claim their are no minerals added and nothing present other than H2O as expected. Because I'm receiving mixed information, I'd like to better understand what I'm adding to play it safe as changing products at the moment not feasible. Manufacturer is waiting to speak to a specialist and confirm their understanding but in case that doesn't happen then this is why I'm seeking help.

Randy,

My understanding being these minerals are used in reef aquariums but I just want to confirm to be on the safe side. Mostly unaware of the last component Potassium Chloride. I've seen it posted on R2R as a dip remedy and wondering if this is why I'm struggling to grow coraline algae. Won't be able to send out ICP testing for a few months and trying to inform myself as best possible.

 

[blaxsun]

I'll let Randy respond, but I'm curious how old your tank is?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

None of those are a concern at low levels in water for salt mix or top off, but if high enough or added frequently might slowly raise them.

 

[GARRIGA]

I'll let Randy respond, but I'm curious how old your tank is?

Experimental tank setup last September.

 

[GARRIGA]

None of those are a concern at low levels in water for salt mix or top off, but if high enough or added frequently might slowly raise them.

Only used as top off which on my test tank represents between a gallon or two weekly on approximately 16 gallons. Supposedly the gallon of distilled only has 10 ppm. Unable to confirm as need to acquire a better TDS meter.

Not performing water changes therefore I expect it will accumulate.

Is there anything that will remove it. WC would end my experiment.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Only used as top off which on my test tank represents between a gallon or two weekly on approximately 16 gallons. Supposedly the gallon of distilled only has 10 ppm. Unable to confirm as need to acquire a better TDS meter.

Not performing water changes therefore I expect it will accumulate.

Is there anything that will remove it. WC would end my experiment.

These are all pretty high concentration ions in seawater, so I would not worry about it since 10 ppm total is very little of any of them (and it is diluted every time it is added). Alk rising might be one thing to watch for.

 

[GARRIGA]

These are all pretty high concentration ions in seawater, so I would not worry about it since 10 ppm total is very little of any of them (and it is diluted every time it is added). Alk rising might be one thing to watch for.

My Alk has been known to rise occasionally but it was doing that prior to switching to this brand.

Guess I’ll have to wait on that ICP to get better conclusions on my coraline failures

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

My Alk has been known to rise occasionally but it was doing that prior to switching to this brand.

Guess I’ll have to wait on that ICP to get better conclusions on my coraline failures

If alk isn't rising, the only other concern is potassium slowly rising, but it starts at 400 ppm, and if you add water at 2 ppm potassium to an extent of 1 gallon per 16 gallons once a week, you are only raising that 400 ppm to 400.1 ppm in a week. Not anywhere close to a concern.

 

[GARRIGA]

If alk isn't rising, the only other concern is potassium slowly rising, but it starts at 400 ppm, and if you add water at 2 ppm potassium to an extent of 1 gallon per 16 gallons once a week, you are only raising that 400 ppm to 400.1 ppm in a week. Not anywhere close to a concern.

My assumption being these then would be also consumed by the system. Wouldn’t that be a valid assumption since the addition by your example is minuscule over time.

Not sure how potassium interacts in our systems.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

My assumption being these then would be also consumed by the system. Wouldn’t that be a valid assumption since the addition by your example is minuscule over time.

Not sure how potassium interacts in our systems.

Sulfate is not consumed in detectable amounts, and potassium may not be (it never was in my tank).

 

[GARRIGA]

Sulfate is not consumed in detectable amounts, and potassium may not be (it never was in my tank).

Wouldn’t sulfate be removed via denitrification if that environment exists?

I will have to research potassium.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Wouldn’t sulfate be removed via denitrification if that environment exists?

I will have to research potassium.

Some tiny amounts may be consumed (making hydrogen sulfide), but it also likely accumulates from other additions, and is so hugely high (2700 ppm in normal seawater) that you'd never notice any consumption.

 

[GARRIGA]

Some tiny amounts may be consumed (making hydrogen sulfide), but it also likely accumulates from other additions, and is so hugely high (2700 ppm in normal seawater) that you'd never notice any consumption.

thank you