LF: Potassium Chloride

[darkdep]

Does anyone know where I could obtain Potassium Chloride (KCl)?

Possibly used in water softeners?

[Shrimpy]

How much do you need?

[BigDaddy]

Can I ask why you need it?

[Shrimpy]

We use it at work for pH meter probes!  That is the solution inside them!

[darkdep]

I'm trying to produce a "better" cichlid salt recipe; Potassium Chloride is cited by some to be a valued ingredient for this.

Not 100% sure how much, but a couple KG would probably be good to start.

[BigDaddy]

I guess I would just naturally stay away from chlorides, instead going with a potassium sulphide compound...

[fishycanuck]

KCl solutions are available by prescription, but I doubt that's what you're looking for.

[Shrimpy]

All the KCL I have access to is in liquid form. There is a tablet form but it is $$$!

[Adam]

Any reason you're putting in cichlid salt buffers?  Some say it helps, some say it doesn't do a hoot.  I'm with the latter crowd.  I've never used any salt in my aquariums, and I have more fry than I know what to do with.

Adam

[darkdep]

For fun.  The traditional additives are Epsom salt (Magnesium Sulphate), Salt (Sodium Chloride), and Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate). 

The Rift lakes have a certain amount of calcium in them (so looking to add some of that), and Potassium. KCl used to be sold in small amounts as "No-Salt".

Shrimpy:  What do you have access to in liquid?  Is it pure?

BD:  All the salt we put in is a Chloride

[Shrimpy]

I can get the purest of almost any chemical!
Some you would need a special license for because there are some crazies out there eh?!
The KCL I can get is pure and I believe it is around $60 per liter. I'll have to check again when I'm back in the office.

[Adam]

Ok.

As I posted that, I read your cuckoo thread and how you want to 'malawi-condition' your aquarium.  Maybe the change will bring a breeding cycle to your fish.  Good luck with that.  It would be nice to see more of the multis and petricola in the area.  They've all but disappeared/are $$$$$ at big al's.

Adam

[BigDaddy]

BD:  All the salt we put in is a Chloride

Potassium Sulphate (K2SO4) isn't a chloride.  Or Potassium Nitrate (KNO3) (aka SaltPeter).... Or Mono Potassium Phosphate (KH2PO4)...  should I go on  

If you look at Seachem's "salts", you'll see none of them use any chlorine compounds either.

Care for a little ketchup for that foot big guy?  LOL

[darkdep]

Want some ketchup with YOUR foot big guy?

All the "Salt" (aka Sodium CHLORIDE) is a Chloride.  That's what I meant.  A lot of regular Salt goes into Cichlid salt mixes.  I meant Salt as in the common name, not salt as in the chemical form.



I'm well aware of the other potassium compounds; but the real Rift Lake chemistry actually has quite a bit of Chloride in it.

[zapisto]

if you can read french i have a marvelous articles and i think you will found it so interesting.
but i have to warn you , i you dont like chimie stay away from it.
they article is way too much complete for most of people.

i warn you

[Sue]

Sigma/aldrich would have KCL. You'd want the cheapest grade they make.
http://www.sigmaaldrich.com

[darkdep]

Zap:  I'd love to try to read the article, where can I get access to it?  I can't find it on your site

And Sue, thank you for the lead.  Appreciate it!

[zapisto]

Here is the Docs (In French):

Fist one is teh Doc explaining everything
and the second is an excel file with all the salt of the great lake.

- La chimie de l'eau des grands lacs Africains(from AquaQuebec)
- Les Sels Africains (from AquaQuebec)

Enjoy
Please comment.

[darkdep]

Found it!  Home Depot sells a 20kg bag of Potassium Chloride as a sodium-free water softener, for $9.99.  Perfect!