Re: [APD] chemical query

[Ade Lau <adelau at yahoo_com>]

Stuart,
    Carbonate and bicarbonate are different buffer (acid base chemistry).  Carbonate is more basic than bicarbonate.  If carbonate are to use as buffer, the pH of the water will stay high.  I think at least 2 to 3 points.  Unless your water is very acidic, carbonate is not a good choice.  When carbonate gains a H+, it becomes bicarbonate.  When bicarbonate gains a H+, it becomes carbonic acid (H2CO3 --> CO2 + H2O). Of course, it is not as straight forward as it looks because they exist as an equalibrium (balance) and it takes a large change on one side of equalibrium to shift the balance.  I am not an analytical chemist, they can probably explain it better. 
 
Ade


----- Original Message ----
From: Stuart Halliday <stuart at mytriops_com>
To: aquatic plants digest <aquatic-plants at actwin_com>
Sent: Saturday, August 25, 2007 2:49:09 PM
Subject: [APD] chemical query


Is there much difference to using potassium carbonate verses potassium 
bicarbonate in planted aquariums to buffer my soft water and add potassium.


I've been using the bicarbonate one for some time but my source has dried up.

I've been offered the carbonate powder instead.

-- 
Stuart Halliday
http://mytriops.com/
200 Million years in the making...
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