Billyboat
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If your going to buy those ingredients why not buy some map and MKP and make your whole lineup?
To be a little more helpful 1g cal nitrate is 41ppm N 50ppm Ca.... mag nitrate....1g is 29 N... 25 mg....that's gram per gallon....
You would think this would be pretty simple to do; however, when I got to looking into things a bit, there are some oddities.
The first, smallest and easiest variable to cover is the density. The post that OGsus referenced, shows a density of 1.0208. The bottle that I have of the product can be figured 2 ways (metric or US) and comes out to either 1.02666 or 1.03125.
Calculating a 10 ml/Gallon dose of the cal-mag and using either extremes for density; we come to a variable of;
1.03125 @ 10ml = 54 - 33 - 87 - 2.72
1.0208 @ 10ml = 54 - 32 - 86 - 2.70
(difference is small here, but when re-creating a stock solution; it least should be in the mind)
So, then; where the oddities come into play is when we try to build up this formula as listed on the bottle. At the minimum, Sulfur is definitely in there and not listed. It is also possible that Chlorine is present too; depending on how accurate you consider the GA.
From the GA: 2% NO3 - 3.2% Ca - 1.2% Mg - 0.1% Fe
(lists: Magnesium Nitrate, Calcium Nitrate)
First and foremost here. Calcium nitrate compositions do not vary greatly and cannot actually equal a 2% NO3 to 3.2% Ca ratio (i.e. that would be 15% NO3 and 24% Ca) Second, if we were to further add Mg in a nitrate compound; this would increase the ratio between Nitrate and Calcium. So, there MUST be other compounds in the mix OR their guaranteed analysis is waaaaaay off.
If we start with the profile for the manufactured Cal-Mag plus, based on GA and considering 1 gallon (@ 1.03125 density) stock solution; we get,
View attachment 489769
20,418 ppm NO3 - 12,251 ppm Mg - 32,669 ppm Ca - 1,021 ppm Fe.
To make the same profile using only listed ingredients: MgNO3 and CaNO3 (along with edta Fe); we have to base on Fe,Mg and Ca levels and not base on NO3. Which produces;
View attachment 489770
40,696 ppm NO3 - 12,250 ppm Mg - 32,679 ppm Ca - 1,020 ppm Fe. (E.G - with only listed components...the Nitrate must be 4% instead of 2%)
Then if we further compare the MSDS; we find there is definitely sulfates. "INGREDIENTS: Sulfates and nitrates of calcium, magnesium.
If we include magnesium and calcium sulfates as ingredients; then the same profile for all elements CAN be hit.
View attachment 489772
20,394 ppm NO3 - 12,250 ppm Mg - 32,683 ppm Ca - 1,020 ppm Fe - 22,568 ppm S
The problem here is that Calcium Sulfates' solubility is poor in water and further reduced by magnesium sulfate. However, it is increased with Calcium Nitrate and can be greatly increased with HCL. IF they are using calcium sulfate for the extra calcium (above 2g per liter) then they must also have HCL, i.e. Chlorine in the mix.
Finally then, to avert considerations for solubility of calcium sulfate and to still come close to the GA; we are left with one profile.
View attachment 489773
26,659 ppm NO3 - 12,250 ppm Mg - 32,679 ppm Ca - 1,020 ppm Fe - 16,165 ppm S
Note though, that neither of the last 2 profiles contain Magnesium Nitrate. A small amount could be included in the last profile along with the addition of a small amount Calcium sulfate; to end up at the same point with less S. However, I'm not sure if that would be necessary.
---For my recommendation then, would be to use the last image above and dissolve : 651 gm Calcium Nitrate, 478 gm Magnesium Nitrate and 29.7 gm Iron EDTA - into 1 gallon.
This would equal, pretty much, the Mfg. version. (though Nitrate is 2.6% rather than 2% shown on label)
hope this helps
: 651 gm Calcium Nitrate, 478 gm Magnesium Nitrate and 29.7 gm Iron EDTA - into 1 gallon.
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