A Quest for Fire...I mean...Potash

"ajames54" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 30 Jul 2003 08:59:11 -0400, "BenignVanilla"
wrote:
I was told by
one that it was difficult to get because it is the prime ingredient in
bombs
used to blow up buildings in Oklahoma. I don't know if that is true

Not true ... IIRC Ammonium Nitrate is the chemical they used
while also a fertilizer it is not related to potash...


(no) potash in hand, and my plants are yellowing.

FWIW potash encourages growth .. more and bigger leaves/longer
stems and roots. If your plants are yellowing you need to
encourage photosyntheses ... to do this you are looking at adding

Nitrogen
Iron
Magnesium
Sulphur

Since adding Nitrogen can cause an algae bloom I prefer to start
by adding epsom salts (Magnesium Sulphate) at 1 tsp/1000 gallons
then chealated Iron 7% at 1/2 tsp /1000

If this does not help and it looks like I need to add nitrogen I
remove plants and start feeding the fish more they can supply the
nitrogen.

Would it be a viable solution to start feeding my fish a bit now?

BV.

"johnrutz" wrote in message
...
snip
if your plants and most of thier roots are in the pot yes the fert
sticks would work.

I suppose you can have too many plants, and run low on nutrients, what I
have been doing since my stock of fertilizer makers has gone way down
and my plants are not poted is add a package of Miracle grow to the
veggie filter when the plants start lookin poorly.
if you do this youll have to guestimate the dosage, I add one pk to 5000
gallons, it did spark a small algae bloom, giving the water a slight
green tint
snip

Do you mean the powder? That is fish safe? I have some MG at home now, and
could do it tonight.

BV.

"BenignVanilla" wrote in message
...
snip
So do you think I could crush the pellets? Or just toss a few in and let
them dissolve in the VF?
snip

Culligan in Elkridge has 40lb bags of pellets for $12.75. They are at 7391
Washington Blvd (Rt. 1), (410) 379-5319. They have it in stock, and are open
weekdays 8-5, 9-3 on Sat. The question now, is can I use pellets?

BV.

On Wed, 30 Jul 2003 12:50:55 -0400, "BenignVanilla"
wrote:

"BenignVanilla" wrote in message
...
snip
So do you think I could crush the pellets? Or just toss a few in and let
them dissolve in the VF?
snip

Culligan in Elkridge has 40lb bags of pellets for $12.75. They are at 7391
Washington Blvd (Rt. 1), (410) 379-5319. They have it in stock, and are open
weekdays 8-5, 9-3 on Sat. The question now, is can I use pellets?

BV.

Yes... they will be fine.. and at 40 lbs you will never need to
buy them again.

BenignVanilla wrote:
"BenignVanilla" wrote
snip

So do you think I could crush the pellets? Or just toss a few in and let
them dissolve in the VF?

Culligan in Elkridge has 40lb bags of pellets for $12.75. They are at 7391
Washington Blvd (Rt. 1), (410) 379-5319. They have it in stock, and are open
weekdays 8-5, 9-3 on Sat. The question now, is can I use pellets?

If it is similar to what I bought, the "pellets" are about the size of
rock salt and they dissolve in warm water. I put a couple tablespoons in
a half gallon jug, added warm water and swirled until they dissolved.
Then I just poured it around the perimeter of the pond, concentrating it
around the plants.
--
zookeeper

"ajames54" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 30 Jul 2003 12:50:55 -0400, "BenignVanilla"
wrote:

"BenignVanilla" wrote in message
...
snip
So do you think I could crush the pellets? Or just toss a few in and
let
them dissolve in the VF?
snip

Culligan in Elkridge has 40lb bags of pellets for $12.75. They are at
7391
Washington Blvd (Rt. 1), (410) 379-5319. They have it in stock, and are
open
weekdays 8-5, 9-3 on Sat. The question now, is can I use pellets?

BV.

Yes... they will be fine.. and at 40 lbs you will never need to
buy them again.

Should I crush them, or just toss a few in?

BV.

Call an AG (farm) store like Agway. You'll get a 50 pound bag for like 5
bucks.


"BenignVanilla" wrote in message
...
I called two more garden centers yesterday. One can order Potash, and the
other may have 2 bags in storage. I have to call back today. I was told by
one that it was difficult to get because it is the prime ingredient in
bombs
used to blow up buildings in Oklahoma. I don't know if that is true, but
living this close to DC, I guess it could make sense. Anyway, still no
potash in hand, and my plants are yellowing.

--
BenignVanilla
Pond Site: www.darofamily.com/jeff/links/mypond

"Sam Hopkins" wrote in message
.. .
low iron in your water.
snip

So I should toss in some rebar? Seriously, how to test/solve?

BV.

"Sam Hopkins" wrote in message
.. .
Call an AG (farm) store like Agway. You'll get a 50 pound bag for like 5
bucks.
snip

I am not sure I have an Agway nearby, either way. I found it at a water
softener store.

BV.

On Wed, 30 Jul 2003 14:56:14 -0400, "BenignVanilla"
wrote:


"Sam Hopkins" wrote in message
. ..
low iron in your water.
snip

So I should toss in some rebar? Seriously, how to test/solve?

BV.



There are Iron test kits available...

if it is low you should add chelated Iron, available at better
garden stores.

There is a related condition called Chlorosis .. which is usually
a deficiency of Iron but can also be Zinc or Manganese. It is
characterized by yellowing leaves with dark green veins.

The best guide for plant fertilizer is found at www.thekrib.com

more specifically
http://www.thekrib.com/Plants/Fertilizer/

They are talking about aquaria but except for the size of the
dose the info is still the same.

The PMDD recipe is quite good and useful...