SaltyShrimp GH/KH+ Alternative

[technicalvisit]

I’m looking for an alternative for SaltyShrimp GH/KH because of its high price. I do 50% water changes on a 20 gallon tank and it’s adding up at $30 for 200 grams. Unfortunately they don’t post the ingredients and I want to make sure I’m not missing anything for my plants/shrimp’s health.

I’m thinking of just getting GLA GH booster which is just calcium and magnesium and combining that with some sort of KH booster. Would Seachem alkaline buffer be a good idea? I’ve also heard potassium bicarbonate works and could be a good way to add some extra potassium in the water. I’m aiming for 6 GH/3 KH. Any thoughts?

 

[Koan]

Colin's Shrimp GH booster is half that, free shipping and specifically doesn't raise pH or KH.

Or in bulk $7/lb

 

[*Ci*]

I use 24 hr.Aquararists APT Sky. I don’t know if it’s any cheaper, but I’m happy with what it does and my shrimp thrived on it.
Here’s the ingredients:

 

[BenB]

I’m thinking of just getting GLA GH booster which is just calcium and magnesium and combining that with some sort of KH booster. Would Seachem alkaline buffer be a good idea? I’ve also heard potassium bicarbonate works and could be a good way to add some extra potassium in the water.

I don't know what would be best for shrimp, but I can answer a little here.

I use Seachem Alk Buffer. Its convenient, and it happens to be the K bicarbonate you are looking for. It has lasted forever. If you want to go even cheaper, you can use baking sodia which is Na bicarbonate. I have used GLA GH Booster in the past with no issue. I will say that any GH booster that uses Ca Sulfate can turn into a brick over time in my experience. So keep it dry with a tight lid. I currently use Ca chloride, Mg SO4 (epsom salt) and K sulfate from GLA for my GH. That might be more stuff and measuring and hassle than you are looknig for though.

 

[Unexpected]

Just get CaSO4, MgSO4 and K2CO3. Use rotalabutterfly to know how much to dose. This is the cheapest option.

 

[Kwyet]

That’s what I do. I mix it into the 40 gallon bucket, and all of my low-tech tanks except the blackwater get the same thing so I don’t get mixed up.

 

[JuJuFish]

Just get CaSO4, MgSO4 and K2CO3. Use rotalabutterfly to know how much to dose. This is the cheapest option.

That’s what I do. I mix it into the 40 gallon bucket, and all of my low-tech tanks

Me, too.

 

[ElleDee]

If you are primarily trying to save money, buying the individual salts and adding them yourself is the way to go. The specifics of how to do that will depend on the kind of shrimp you are keeping. Some types are more resilient/have less exacting needs than others. I laugh when I think about how I babied my neocaridina when I first got them - they are actually pretty tough. I use CaCl2 and epsom salt to get my GH up to 5-ish, though my plant fertilizers add other elements as well.

 

[Uncle_R]

This is GH/KH+ in RODI water. Maybe someone can decode the components?

 

[Uncle_R]

@Art i attached a pdf to the previous post but I can’t view it? I don’t know if anyone else can.

 

[Art]

Hi, pdf attachments are downloaded when you click the attachment or they open in a new window depending on your browser setting. I see the attachment is there and working.

 

[CMooner]

@Art i attached a pdf to the previous post but I can’t view it? I don’t know if anyone else can.

I see the .pdf fine. Have you done an analysis on just the RO water by itself? I was wondering where the high copper, Zinc and Tin are coming from.

 

[Kwyet]

I can’t open it either.

 

[Uncle_R]

@CMooner Here is my latest RO test.

 

[CMooner]

@CMooner Here is my latest RO test.

Interesting, looks like the SaltyShrimp GH/KH+ is increasing the copper, zinc and tin. Must be more than CA/Mg/sodium bi-carbonate added? Looks like it's in the PPB range.

 

[Uncle_R]

@CMooner I hadn’t noticed the copper but I also don’t dose any with my micro’s. I mostly did the lab test for more exact K, Ca, Mg numbers. What surprised me most was the Na and Cl numbers but plants and critters are thriving.