The need for a remineralizing salt mix
The success in maintaining demanding animal and plant species in aquaria is understandably related to the full satisfaction of their vital needs in the tank.
The first and fundamental step in this direction is the ability of the hobbyst to guarantee water with ideal characteristics (ion balance, pH, conductivity).
In this regard it should be noted that the use of tap water is, except in very rare cases, not optimal or even not suitable for a number of possible reasons:
• Non-optimal values of the main indicators (Alkalinity, Hardness, pH, Conductivity, etc.)
• Not optimal / incorrect mineral balance (not optimal / incorrect relations between the single ions)
• Presence of unwanted ions or contaminants (Silicates, Vanadium, Fluorides, Phosphates, Nitrates etc.)
• Variability of the composition (in particular during certain periods of the year and / or according to the maintenance carried out by the aqueduct and its management of water supply sources).
Although all animal and plant organisms have a certain adaptability (species-specific), it should be noted that anyone who approaches today aquarium keeping in a serious or professional manner cannot do without using deionized water (usually by means of reverse osmosis) with very low conductivity (ideally below 10 microSiemens/cm).
The need therefore arises to reintegrate this pure water with mineral salts in such a way as to reach a water with a stable chemical composition and perfectly suitable for the needs of the organisms bred.
Important parameters for the evaluation of a remineralizing salt mix
The design of a salt mix for the mineral rebalancing of deionized water is subject to various constraints and restrictions, mainly inherent to:
• Ion Balance - Conductivity
The resulting conductivity after the water replenishment assumes a very important character for the absorption and use of the single ions present.
At the same concentration of nutrients the mix of reintegration salts will be much better the lower its conductivity.
This is because in conditions of lower conductivity, the use of water by the plants will be better, the absorption of nutrients will be more efficient, the possibility of interaction and antagonism of the ions will be lower, there will be greater possibility of dosing further nutrients (eg Nitrates and Phosphates) as well as greater time availability before conductivity reaches sufficiently high values to require a water change.
The growth of aquatic plants will be affected as a result.
The level of conductivity achieved (always with the same concentration of nutrients) is therefore the main yardstick in the evaluation of a mixture of salts, or in the comparison between two or more of them.
• Hygroscopicity
A good product must have a hygroscopicity that is as low as possible (ideally nothing). This is an extremely important parameter, because the absorption of moisture by the salts makes them difficult to manage because of the compaction and makes the dosage inaccurate due to the alteration of the specific weight.
It can also cause unwanted chemical reactions among the constituents of the mix.
• Solubility
It is correct to state that solubility, in general, arises on a conflictual plane with respect to the correct ionic balance.
Generally in fact a greater (or immediate) solubility can be obtained only by introducing or increasing the use in the mixture of salts with greater hygroscopicity or increasing (beyond their real needs) the share of some useful anions (eg Chlorides) or introducing not necessary (eg Sodium).
Each of these strategies (separately or jointly) inevitably affects the stability of the preparation and, what is worse, its ionic balance and the resulting conductivity (increasing it), consequently, on its nutritional capacities and the results obtainable. A good mixture of salts must therefore represent a good compromise between solubility and good ion balance.
Essential Macro e Meso elements and their role in plant physiology
PhytaGen S2 Planta provides all the meso-essentials for plants.
Furthermore the Potassium macro-element is present; that it is good to always be present in water with balanced concentrations compared to calcium and magnesium.
More In detail, the functions in plant biology of the elements present in S2 Planta can be summarized as follows:
• Potassium:
Enzyme function; production of ATP for energy purposes; synthesis of proteins and starches; absorption of trace elements.
• Calcium:
Cell structure and membranes; enzymatic and hormonal functioning; regulation of the absorption of other essential ions.
• Magnesium:
The chlorophyll is constituent; synthesis of amino acids and proteins; absorption and translocation of phosphorus; enzymatic function; use of ATP for energy purposes;
• Sulfur:
Functioning of enzymes essential for the production of chlorophyll. Necessary for the metabolism of nitrogen and the synthesis of amino acids and proteins; constituent of various amino acids. Because of its presence and importance it is now often considered as the fourth macronutrient along with Potassium, Nitrogen and Phosphorus.
• Chlorine:
Photosynthesis and osmoregulation.
Deficiency symptoms and unbalances
The problems related to the constituent elements of S2 Planta can be summarized as follows:
• Potassium:
Given the ease of translating this element between the various districts of the plant (mobile element) the plant in deficiency can remove it from the older leaves to provide it to young people.
Its deficiency manifests itself first in mature leaves.
These occur with more or less large yellowish areas that evolve into holes surrounded by necrotic areas. Typical of the Hygrophyla is the presence of round holes on the mature leaves.
If the deficiency continues, the plant loses its leaves starting from the oldest.
If the deficiency is not corrected, the young leaves are ultimately affected, presenting themselves as small and chlorotic.
• Calcium:
Since calcium is an element that is accumulated predominantly in cell walls (structural role) it can not be removed and re-located within the plant (immobile element).
Consequently its deficiency manifests itself first on the young leaves.
These are small and weak, often with a damaged (contorted) structure and generally starting from the tip.
If the deficiency continues the vegetative apices die.
• Magnesium:
Given the ease of translocating this element within the plant's tissues, its deficiency manifests itself first on mature leaves (mobile element).
These occur with extended chlorotic areas; in particular in the fabric between the veins.
If the deficiency continues, the leaves become thinner and flake in the veins, presenting jagged tears (typical in broad and thin leaf plants such as Rotala macrandra).
The protracted deficiency then comes to affect even the young leaves that appear small and pale by incorrect photosynthesis (in which magnesium plays a key role).
• Sulfur:
Sulfur can be moderately retranslated within the plant.
The plant has difficulty producing proteins from Nitrogen (key role of sulfur).
Its deficiency manifests itself with a loss of vigor and a generalized yellowing.
• Chlorine:
Chlorine can easily be translocated inside the plant. Its deficiency is manifested by chlorosis and necrosis starting from mature leaves and more evident along the edges and the tips.
