I soak my CHC according the Antec formula, using calcium nitrate and epsom salts for the second soak...I give it a minimum of 3 soakings, usually more. I have never tasted it..but I have tested the soaking water with my refractometer (which I normally use to test salinity in my saltwater tanks), and its always been 0. While epiphytic orchids can go into straight CHC (I use a larger grade for those) paphs MUST be put in a blend of CHC, and some inert particle that can aerate, preferably of the same size as the CHC chips. Spongerock (although it is getting increasingly hard to find real #4 spongerock), Diatomite, lava rock, or any of the LECA types are good...and in large quantities. The yellow leaves could be due to a pH problem..what are you using? I use First Rays version of MSU (other versions seem to have higher phosphorus, which is unnecessary, and lowers the pH too much) to which I add 1/4 tspn Protekt/gallon/200ppm fertilizer (only that strength for the multiflorals...half the strength in all respects for other paphs) to adjust the pH. MSU in this formula is the least acidic fertilizer I have seen...Dynagro required double the ProTekt...and as I said before, the more phosphorus, the more acidic the fertilizer. Most paphs prefer a pH of about 6.8 or so...on the other hand, what is your water like? I would guess that a very basic pH would have similar effects...Take care, Eric