Where to find these chemicals for mineralized soil substrate?

Hi Prof Bellstedt,

After reading this article here I am very keen on trying mineralized soil as a substrate. Article -

http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/...-mineralized-soil-substrate-aaron-talbot.html

I already know the dangers of the topsoil in South Africa as most of it contains manures, which will cause nitrate spikes, but il work through it.

Ok now for the actual question - Where can i find muriate of potash ( potassium chloride ) and dolomite in Pretoria or an area that is reasonably close?

Any help from fellow members would also be appreciated

Regards

 

Hi Cheddar,

I am sorry to dampen your enthusiasm about mineralized soil, but my personal opinion about this is that it is a disaster waiting to happen. In principle, I think the concept and the process are fine, but the problem lies with the soil that you use. Just in the Pretoria area, you have the turf soils of the Springbok vlakte to the north, to the east the red Hutton type soils in the areas where mielies are grown and in the Pretoria area itself you can have quartize soils. These soils differ drastically in what they consist of, how they release nutrients and how they bind nutrients. So this is far too vague in my opinion, SA has about 20 to 30 soils types so mineralized soil is not one thing, it can be many things as a result of which you do not know what you are dealing with when you use it. Next thing you know you have a tank full of algae and you wonder why. How would you know, if you do not know what is in your substrate?

You would have to enquire from a chemical company or a fertilizer company in Pretoria for the chemicals you may be looking for. What you must be very careful with though is to buy high grade chemicals which are not contaminated with heavy metals such as lead etc.

Kind regards,

Dirk