Potassium chloride tablets for adding O2 to nutrent mix ???

lowblower

Well-Known Member
I realise this is called a 'salt' and that salts are bad for soil bacteria.

but, im not sure how this works, because it says 'rapidly degrades in water to produce O2'

so as it dissolves out into the nutrient mix, it would become potassium PLUS chloride (two minerals in all shop bought mineral water)

so the potassium-chloride is a salt, but potassium PLUS chloride is just minerals RIGHT???

does anyone use these tablets for oxygenating their bacteria/nutrient mixes before applying to soil?

sorry if this is a newb question, but would be great to hear a reply from someone who actually knows the answer coz im stumped! Thanks
 

lowblower

Well-Known Member
i just read this from some shabby forum on googel search in response to someone asking about his/her good bacteria being killed in their aquarium by potassium chloride.

someone answered "VERY high concentrations of salt can kill some bacteria. However, the concentration of salt that is used in a softener is NEVER high enough to kill bacteria in septic systems."

soooo was this person correct? These tablets should only release a non-harmful level of salt because they are for aquariums, which people need bacteria in?
 

Figong

Well-Known Member
(KCl(s) + H20) = (K+(aq) + Cl-(aq)) .. so no, not exactly.. however.. potassium -chlorate- will decompose into potassium chloride + oxygen... unless my mind is completely failing me, anyway.
 

lowblower

Well-Known Member
(KCl(s) + H20) = (K+(aq) + Cl-(aq)) .. so no, not exactly.. however.. potassium -chlorate- will decompose into potassium chloride + oxygen... unless my mind is completely failing me, anyway.
aaaaaaaaaah yes, sorry it does say potassium chlorate on the packet, my bad. So yeah, these tablets do degrade into potassium chloride + oxygen. I guess this is bad?
 

Figong

Well-Known Member
aaaaaaaaaah yes, sorry it does say potassium chlorate on the packet, my bad. So yeah, these tablets do degrade into potassium chloride + oxygen. I guess this is bad?
Bad is relative, but yes, salt is quite bad for mj plants, you'll see salt build up(toxic to the plant), it'll start to play with pH.. leaves will start to burn on the edges.. and ta-dah, the 'fun' (see: headache) begins
 

Figong

Well-Known Member
what is the normal name for C2O2? I did a search but just found a nokia mobile phone lol thanks for the reply +rep to both of you
C202 = heating amyl alcohol with oxalic acid, resulting in an Isoamyl ester, I do believe.. I think that may have been a typo.. unless I really am sleep deprived. Have been up all night, tis 7:30am now.
 

Figong

Well-Known Member
CO2 + any form of 'energy' = carbon + oxygen.. no salt to speak of, and CO2 is the closest I can guess at Jesus mentioning.
 

lowblower

Well-Known Member
lol i think ill leave the tablets out of my grows till i own a lab. I just get a couple of bubblers. Wow i didnt know it would be so hard to add O2 to a nute mix! Thanks for the info anyways :)
 

Figong

Well-Known Member
Bubblers = all the O2 you could possibly need, when all else fails shoot high with it.. no such thing as too much O2 in a bubbler system. Let the nutes sort out NPK(that is their only job), and make sure you're checking pH, TDS, EC, and temp (both air for your plants, and solution temp too) - those are the criticals :D
 

lowblower

Well-Known Member
The thing with bubblers is, I got these nutes by huboldt company 'grow natural# and 'bloom natural' and the grow natural STINKS like fermenting pig shit, so bubbling that in my room for 24 hours is a big NO.

so, i think im going to carry on my grow with chemical ferts. and next time im gonna buy an organic soil mix, so i can bubble just the bacteria and mollases together.

thanks again for the replies everyone bongsmilie
 

Figong

Well-Known Member
The thing with bubblers is, I got these nutes by huboldt company 'grow natural# and 'bloom natural' and the grow natural STINKS like fermenting pig shit, so bubbling that in my room for 24 hours is a big NO.

so, i think im going to carry on my grow with chemical ferts. and next time im gonna buy an organic soil mix, so i can bubble just the bacteria and mollases together.

thanks again for the replies everyone bongsmilie
Check out the recipes that exist right here on RIU, you can do homemade if you wish :D Quite welcome, if I go non-responsive, that means I hit the floor and will not be seen for 15 hours. :D
 

Figong

Well-Known Member
All recipes I have deviate from any semi-sane standard, and are subject to a big experiment that may completely cause mass destruction.. so I am not the one to ask for recipes, all of mine at this point are pure theory w/no testing to back them up.. hahaha
 

Alexander Supertramp

Well-Known Member
Just about everything we feed our plants, organic or so called chemical, are forms of salts. Salt is a term far too often taken out of context when it comes to growing. And OP those tablets if used in moderation/properly will cause you no issues.
 

past times

Well-Known Member
Skip that. Add oxygenated water when watering. keep a watering schedule that allows the roots to almost completely dry out. I like to keep the waterings every 2-4 days. If you want, add h2o2 when you water. Hydrogen peroxide will boost the O2 release to roots. It will kill some bacteria, but I dont think nearly enough to cause problems. I use it every coule weeks. like 1-2 Tbsp/gal
 
hydrogen peroxide

KOH(aq) + HCl(aq) ---> KCl(aq) + H2O(l)

Total ionic:
K+(aq) + OH-(aq) + H+(aq) + Cl-(aq) ---> K+(aq) + Cl-(aq) + H2O(l)

Spectator ions are ions that appear on both sides of the equation.
Net ionic: (just remove the spectator ions)
OH-(aq) + H+(aq) ---> H2O(l)
Spectator ions were K+(aq) and Cl-(aq)
 

Figong

Well-Known Member
hydrogen peroxide

KOH(aq) + HCl(aq) ---> KCl(aq) + H2O(l)

Total ionic:
K+(aq) + OH-(aq) + H+(aq) + Cl-(aq) ---> K+(aq) + Cl-(aq) + H2O(l)

Spectator ions are ions that appear on both sides of the equation.
Net ionic: (just remove the spectator ions)
OH-(aq) + H+(aq) ---> H2O(l)
Spectator ions were K+(aq) and Cl-(aq)
Ok, that makes much more sense than C202 and trying to toss an Ester into the mix.. :D
 
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