Ca/Mg Source

I sent a post to the APD a while back about some gray streaks showing up in my Cryps, generally low plant growth and increasing algae on some Hygrophila leaves in an otherwise great looking Co2 injected, fluorescent ~3watt/gal, Dupla laterite K/gravel/sand substrate, DuplaPlant tabs and DuplaPlant24 heavily planted discuss (long breath), tank. Paul Krombholz was nice enough to respond (thanks again Paul !), with a recommendation that I may be experiencing either a lack of Iron or that my tank may be Calcium, Magnesium or Boron limited (i.e.: try adding some of these in this order over time and see if things improve). Iron checks out ok at .01ppm. As Paul explained, when used in moderation lime can provide the CaCO3. Paul recommended 1/4 tsp. with water changes. My wife (the taxi) was heading out the door and I asked her to pick up some "LIME" and she came back with the following:

"Sweet 'N Grow " Bakers Dolomite - Hy Magnesium, Pulverized Lime Stone

Chemical Analysis:

Minimum Percent

Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3)......................53.5%

Calcium Oxide (CaO)...............................30.0%

Magnesium Carbonate (MgCO3).................42.0%

Magnesium Oxide (MgO)..........................20.0

Elemental Magnesium (Mg)........................12.1%

Elemental Calcium (Ca)............................21.4%

Calcium Carbonate Equivalent (C.C.E.).....105.6%

Ok I think this means that the manufacturer guarantees that the power in the bag has at a minimum, the percent of each of the minerals/chemicals listed above....is this an accurate interpretation ?? I would like to know if this stuff is OK to use to add Ca ? (and it looks like Mg also).

Also on the label:

ENP - Effective Neutralizing Power...............92.9%

ENV - Effective Neutralizing Value...............95.0%

I think this means when you spread this stuff on your lawn at the recommend dosage most will dissolve into the soil and most will neutralize the pH (7.0) ?

Is anyone using/see this stuff ?

My well water comes out of the tape like this (I am blessed I know, please no flames).

pH - 7.0

gH - 3 to 4

kH - 2-3

No city water concerns like chlorine, chloramides etc.

No phosphates, little iron (so I can control this), and little nitrates.

I can not test Ca or Mg so I am assuming some of my problems may be associated with very soft, low Ca/Mg water ??

I went back an looked through the archives and found this in a reply from Paul K to Walter Klockers and this sound a lot like my tank right now

http://www.actwin.com/cgi-bin/mfs/05/fish/aquatic-plants/month.9710/msg00136.html

I have lots (I mean hundreds), of Malaysian Trumpet Snails (MTS) which may be sucking up lots of CA and some of my plants show what looks like Ca and Mg deficiencies

Any recommendations are appreciated on the "Bakers Dolomite - Sweet 'NGrow".

Sorry for the long post and thanks,

Tom Brennan

Brennans at ix_netcom.com