RAW Silica Is The Dry One On A Shelf Of Liquid Silicates
Almost every other silica sold for growing is a liquid potassium silicate. Those lift reservoir pH sharply, have to go into the tank before anything else, and will gel if they meet concentrated calcium. NPK RAW Silica is none of that. It is a dry powder whose silicon dioxide comes from diatomite, which NPK put forward as an acceptable alternate to potassium silicate. Because it is a natural silicon dioxide rather than a caustic silicate, it is close to pH neutral and does not cloud the water. The trade-off is that a suspended powder needs agitation to stay evenly mixed.
Dosing RAW Silica By The Eighth Of A Teaspoon
The rate is an eighth to a quarter teaspoon per gallon in the reservoir, applied as needed. That is the smallest dose of any silica on this shelf, and it follows from the concentration. At 45% silicon dioxide there is far more of it per spoon than in a liquid. NPK give a target rather than just a rate, which is more useful. Aim for 50 to 100 ppm in the finished solution for most applications. The powder is flowable and suspends in water, with no fillers, no stabilisers and no added water in the bag. It can go in at any stage, in soil, coco, hydroponics or a foliar program.
Key Features
- 45% silicon dioxide: Sourced from diatomite. NPK position it as an acceptable alternate to potassium silicate rather than a version of one.
- Close to pH neutral: It does not drag reservoir pH upward the way a potassium silicate does, so it needs no correction after adding.
- Does not cloud the water: A natural silicon dioxide stays clear in solution instead of hazing the reservoir.
- 1/8 to 1/4 tsp per gallon: The smallest dose rate on this shelf, which is what a 45% concentration gives back in a dry format.
- A ppm target, not just a rate: NPK publish 50 to 100 ppm as the goal for most applications, so the dose can be checked rather than assumed.
- Flowable and suspendable: It disperses into water and stays workable, though a suspended powder does want agitation.
- No fillers, no stabilisers, no added water: The bag is the active. That is the difference between shipping a powder and shipping a dilute liquid.
- Any stage, any medium: Grow or bloom, in soil, coco, hydroponics or foliar. It is not tied to a growth phase.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Guaranteed Analysis | 0 - 0 - 3 |
| Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) | 45% |
| Derived From | Silicon dioxide, derived from diatomite |
| Format | Dry flowable powder |
| Application Rate | 1/8 - 1/4 tsp per gallon of water in the reservoir |
| Target Concentration | 50 - 100 ppm in the finished solution |
| Frequency | As needed |
| pH Effect | Relatively pH neutral in most hydroponic and soil applications |
| Clouding | Does not cloud when added to water |
| Additives | No fillers, no stabilisers, no added water |
| Stage | Any stage, grow or bloom |
| Systems | Soil, coco, hydroponics and foliar |
| Role | Additive, not a base nutrient |
| Size | 10 lb |