Athena Balance

Athena Balance – Potassium Silicate & pH Buffering Supplement

Athena Balance is a concentrated potassium silicate supplement designed to help condition irrigation water, improve pH stability and supply silicon to plants throughout the growing cycle.

Part of the popular Athena Blended Line, Balance is particularly useful for growers using reverse osmosis (RO) water or other low-mineral water sources. These water sources often have very little buffering capacity, meaning their pH can change rapidly when nutrients are added.

By adding Athena Balance to the water before mixing fertilisers, growers can increase the alkalinity of their starting solution and help create more consistent conditions for nutrient preparation.

In addition to its water-conditioning properties, Athena Balance supplies silicon, a beneficial element associated with stronger plant structures, improved tolerance to certain environmental stresses and more efficient water management.

Its clean, low-sediment formulation makes it suitable for compatible irrigation and mechanical dosing equipment, including Dosatron systems.

Key Features & Benefits

• Potassium silicate formula: Supplies silicon while helping condition irrigation water.
• Improves pH stability: Increases the buffering capacity of low-alkalinity water, helping reduce sudden pH changes during nutrient mixing.
• Ideal for RO water: Particularly useful when working with reverse osmosis or other low-mineral water sources.
• Supports stronger plant structures: Silicon can contribute to improved tissue strength and structural resilience in responsive crops.
• Supports stress tolerance: Silicon supplementation may help certain plants tolerate environmental stresses such as heat and water limitations.
• Water management: Silicon can support plant processes associated with water regulation and stress responses.
• Supports consistent nutrient preparation: Helps growers manage the chemistry of their starting water before adding fertilisers.
• Clean liquid formulation: Designed to minimise sediment and unwanted deposits.
• Mechanical dosing compatibility: Suitable for compatible mechanical dosing equipment, including Dosatron systems.
• Easy to incorporate: Added directly to irrigation water before base nutrients and other additives.

Why Use Athena Balance?

Water quality plays an important role in preparing a stable and consistent nutrient solution. Different water sources contain varying amounts of dissolved minerals and bicarbonates, which influence alkalinity and the way pH responds when fertilisers are added.

Reverse osmosis (RO) water contains very low levels of dissolved minerals and typically has little buffering capacity. As a result, its pH can change significantly with relatively small additions of acidic or alkaline products.

Athena Balance provides a convenient way to condition low-alkalinity irrigation water before adding nutrients.

Its potassium silicate formulation raises pH and contributes alkalinity, helping growers establish a more consistent starting point for nutrient mixing.

Although Balance may reduce the amount of final pH adjustment required in some feeding programmes, the finished nutrient solution should always be checked and adjusted as necessary.

What Is Potassium Silicate?

Potassium silicate is a soluble compound containing potassium and silicon. It is commonly used in horticulture as a silicon source and as an alkaline water-conditioning additive.

Silicon is considered a beneficial element for many crops, although it is not classified as an essential nutrient for most plants.

When supplied in a suitable form and concentration, silicon can accumulate in certain plant tissues and contribute to their structural properties.

Research has also associated silicon supplementation with improved tolerance to some environmental stresses, although responses vary between plant species and growing conditions.

Because potassium silicate is strongly alkaline, it must be diluted correctly and added in the appropriate mixing order.

Benefits of Silicon for Plants

Silicon supplementation can offer several potential benefits, particularly for crops that readily absorb and accumulate silicon.

• Plant structure: Silicon deposition in plant tissues can contribute to stronger stems and leaves.
• Environmental stress: May help certain crops tolerate heat, drought and other environmental challenges.
• Water regulation: Can influence processes associated with water movement and stress responses.
• Plant resilience: Silicon may contribute to physical and physiological responses that help plants cope with adverse conditions.
• Crop development: Appropriate silicon nutrition can support overall plant performance in responsive species.

Silicon responses vary between crops, and supplementation should be considered part of a balanced growing programme rather than a replacement for essential nutrients or good environmental management.

How to Use Athena Balance

Athena Balance should be added to irrigation water before base nutrients and other fertiliser additives.

Because potassium silicate is alkaline and can react with concentrated nutrient products, correct mixing order is particularly important.

1. Fill your reservoir or mixing container with the required amount of clean water.
2. Shake the Athena Balance bottle before use, following the product label.
3. Measure the required amount of Athena Balance according to the current Athena feeding schedule and your source water conditions.
4. Add Athena Balance directly to the water and mix thoroughly.
5. Allow the solution to circulate or mix until evenly distributed.
6. Add your base nutrients separately, following the recommended mixing order.
7. Add any compatible supplements according to their individual instructions.
8. Measure the electrical conductivity (EC) of the finished nutrient solution.
9. Check the final pH and adjust if necessary.

Important: Never mix concentrated Athena Balance directly with concentrated calcium-containing fertilisers or other nutrient concentrates. Always dilute Balance thoroughly in water before adding additional products.

Athena Balance & Reverse Osmosis (RO) Water

Reverse osmosis systems remove most dissolved minerals from the incoming water supply, producing water with very low electrical conductivity (EC) and alkalinity.

This gives growers greater control over their nutrient formulation, but it also means the starting water has very little resistance to changes in pH.

Athena Balance can help condition this water before fertilisers are introduced, increasing alkalinity and raising the initial pH.

This may help reduce the amount of pH correction required after mixing, depending on the fertilisers used and the characteristics of the water.

Please note: RO water is not inherently unstable or unsuitable for nutrient mixing. Its low buffering capacity simply means that careful nutrient preparation and pH monitoring are particularly important.

Using Athena Balance with Hydroponic Nutrients

Athena Balance can be incorporated into compatible hydroponic feeding programmes where potassium silicate supplementation or water conditioning is required.

It is important to account for the product's alkalinity and potassium contribution when preparing a complete nutrient solution.

Excessive application may raise pH beyond the desired range and increase the risk of unwanted mineral precipitation.

For best results, use the appropriate Athena feeding schedule and check both pH and EC after all nutrients have been mixed.

Dosing & Irrigation System Compatibility

Athena Balance has been formulated for use with compatible irrigation and mechanical dosing systems.

Always check equipment compatibility before introducing highly alkaline products into automated dosing systems.

NPK Analysis

Athena Balance has the following NPK ratio:

The 0-0-2 NPK ratio indicates that Athena Balance supplies potassium without declared nitrogen or phosphorus. Silicon is supplied in addition to the NPK analysis.

Suitable Growing Systems

Athena Balance can be used in compatible nutrient programmes across a range of growing methods, including:

• Hydroponic growing systems
• Deep Water Culture (DWC)
• Recirculating hydroponic systems
• Coco coir growing media
• Rockwool and other soilless substrates
• Drip irrigation systems
• Compatible mechanical dosing systems
• Indoor growing environments and greenhouses

The need for water conditioning will depend on the characteristics of the source water and the nutrient programme being used.

Tips for Best Results

• Always add Athena Balance to water before other nutrients.
• Use clean measuring equipment to avoid contamination.
• Never combine concentrated potassium silicate with concentrated calcium fertilisers.
• Check your source water's alkalinity and pH before determining the appropriate application rate.
• Monitor EC and pH after mixing the complete nutrient solution.
• Avoid excessive dosing, which may raise pH too high.
• Follow the appropriate Athena feeding schedule.
• Check compatibility before using with automated dosing equipment.
• Use suitable protective equipment and avoid contact with eyes and skin.

Storage Instructions

Store Athena Balance in its original container with the lid securely closed. Keep in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight, extreme temperatures and incompatible chemicals.

Follow the storage and handling instructions supplied with the product. Potassium silicate concentrates are alkaline and should be handled carefully.

Buy Athena Balance at GHEDirect

We stock a comprehensive range of Athena nutrients and additives, helping growers manage nutrient solutions, water quality and plant nutrition throughout the growing cycle.

Whether you're using RO water, managing a hydroponic reservoir or looking to incorporate silicon into your feeding programme, our experienced team is available to offer practical advice on nutrient mixing and water management.

Order online for fast UK delivery or visit The Greenhouse Effect in Milton Keynes to explore our range in store.