CHC for phals

[SlipperGirl]

I want to put my phals in CHC and wanted to know if they should go in strait CHC or if I should mix it with something. I have two keikis that I want to put in it and one older phal.

[billc]

I usually mix in some sponge rock and charcoal to allow the mix to dry out. 4 parts CHC, 1 part medium sponge rock, 1 part charcoal. You can use lava rock or leca in place of sponge rock. Also put a layer of some inert material in the bottom of the pot. If you use straight CHC you just need to let the middle and bottom of the pot to dry out.

Bill

[SlipperGirl]

Originally Posted by billc

I usually mix in some sponge rock and charcoal to allow the mix to dry out. 4 parts CHC, 1 part medium sponge rock, 1 part charcoal. You can use lava rock or leca in place of sponge rock. Also put a layer of some inert material in the bottom of the pot. If you use straight CHC you just need to let the middle and bottom of the pot to dry out.

Bill

Ok thanks I have the sponge rock and charcoal soaking

[tucker85]

I've used chc both in a mix and by itself and it worked fine for me both ways. Right now I use it in a mix with some sponge rock and some charcoal, a lot like Bill's mix. Soak and rinse the chc a few times real well in case there's any salt in it.

[The Orchid Kid]

I get mine from Ray Creek in the UK. He advises only using CHC. So far so good for me, can take a while for the bottom to dry out, but seems to retain a bit more moisture than bark.

[SlipperGirl]

thank you all for your help I used the mix that Bill said but I did not soak enough CHC so it was more 3 1/2 insted of 4 and tucker I soaked it for about three days giving it a rinse every day