Arm & Hammer DCAD Plus potassium carbonate supplies potassium and raises solution pH for growers preparing pH-up solutions for hydroponic and fertigation systems. This 50 lb manufacturer bag offers bulk material for recurring preparation. Use controlled dosing and measured system response rather than a fixed application rate.

Potassium Supply and pH Management

Potassium carbonate contributes potassium as it raises pH. Include that potassium in the complete nutrient budget alongside your fertilizer inputs. It is not interchangeable dose-for-dose with potassium hydroxide or liquid pH-up products.

Product Details

• Fertilizer analysis: 0-0-57
• Soluble potash: 57% as K₂O equivalent
• Source: potassium carbonate sesquihydrate, K₂CO₃·1.5H₂O
• Water-soluble dry material
• Net contents: 50 lb, excluding packaging and shipping materials
• Manufacturer product: Arm & Hammer DCAD Plus

K₂O is the conventional reporting equivalent for potassium content, not potassium oxide dissolved in the prepared solution.

Why Choose Potassium Carbonate?

Potassium carbonate is an option to consider when a recirculating nutrient solution repeatedly drifts toward a lower pH. In his comparison of hydroponic pH-up materials, the author of Science in Hydroponics favors it for this situation and discusses its lower basicity and less demanding handling compared with potassium hydroxide. It still requires the protective equipment and precautions in the supplied SDS.

Choose the material and dose for your water chemistry, nutrient budget and measured pH response. This comparison does not establish a DCAD Plus stock-solution recipe or guarantee stable pH in every system. Read: A guide to different pH-up options in hydroponics, Science in Hydroponics.

Preparation and Dosing

Prepare a separate solution using compatible equipment. Add material gradually to cool water with stirring, controlling dust and heat. Allow the solution to cool before closing the container. Avoid direct contact between dry material and roots or foliage.

Start with a small measured addition to a well-mixed system, allow pH to stabilize, and recheck before adding more. The required dose depends on the water, nutrient solution and target pH. No universal stock concentration or crop application rate is provided here. Do not use the potassium hydroxide mixing recipe for this material.

Handling and Storage

Warning: the supplied SDS identifies skin irritation, serious eye irritation and possible respiratory irritation. Avoid breathing dust. Wear protective gloves, clothing and eye protection, and use adequate ventilation. Follow the complete SDS for handling, protective equipment and first aid.

Keep tightly closed in a cool, dry, ventilated area. Store away from strong acids, strong bases, lime, powdered metals and uncontrolled moisture. Mixing with incompatible materials can release heat.

Liquid pH Up Mixing Guide

Download the Potassium Carbonate Liquid pH Up Mixing Guide (PDF) for calculated 47% and 11% anhydrous K₂CO₃-equivalent stock concentrates by weight. Recipes assume pure potassium carbonate sesquihydrate, not a verified DCAD Plus assay. Confirm actual material strength and trial dissolution and storage stability, especially for the 47% formulation. These are concentrates for further dilution or controlled dosing, not crop application rates.

Documents

• DCAD Plus Potassium Carbonate Safety Data Sheet (PDF)
• DCAD Plus Manufacturer Information Sheet (PDF)

The manufacturer information sheet describes DCAD Plus as a feed-grade animal supplement. Its livestock ration instructions are not horticultural dosing instructions, and its specifications are not a batch-specific certificate of analysis.