calcium carbonate and potassium carbonate

[Aussieponic]

Where in Brisbane can I buy some calcium carbonate and potassium carbonate?

AP

[Jonty]

Aussieponic,

Eggshell is pure calcium carbonate. Save up your eggshells, put them through a blender to break them up, microwave to ensure no bugs then put them in the growbed. Inexpensive way to up the Ph.

An article I read on Ph said the best bases to use in aquaponics are potassium hydroxide (KOH), and calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2). These are best because they do not increase the sodium salts in the system (which are toxic to the plants and can cause tip burn) and these bases provide essential nutrients to the plants. Potassium and calcium are required nutrient additions to ensure healthy plant growth.

Calcium hydroxide is hydrated lime or builders lime. If you go this way do it slowly by adding a small amount each day and test the Ph.

Regards
Jonty

[Jonathan Dyer]

Any Bunnings store will have gargen lime...same stuff.

Potassium hydroxide is very good stuff too. But much more expensive. There is very little salts in good quality garden lime well thats what I would use due to the fact I have 50tonne outside not exactly 'Garden Lime' that I've got more pure Calcium Carbonate.

[Aussieponic]

Thanks Johnatan and Jonty.

AP