I echo the Seattle_Stranger's sentiments. It's already beginning to receive serious unwanted attention and mislabelling on well-known sites such as this won't help matters. I am aware that obviously it's the most applicable tag, but it's incorrect and unfair to lob it in with the realm of true opiates. Obviously that's jst our opinion and it probably won't change anything, but just wanted to say. SO anyway....onto the matter at hand...
mrtea - firstly, welcome to the forums!
You didn't break any rules or anything, and it was a good question so no worries on that front!
As for the question, well to be honest, I would go for a different route than capsules for your first time. You are almost certainly destined to be unimpressed. Capsules tend to inhibit full absorption. Half a gram is about right for how much you can fit in there - I used to make caps but I would have to increase my dose by 50% and ingest GBL in a shot of Whiskey followed by a cup of hot tea to aid the break-down of the caps. It really wasn't worth it.
For a first time, I would recommend at least trying the toss and wash. T'nW is the strongest method of ingestion as it involves ingesting the fine-powdered leaf in it's entirety.
You basically weigh out your dose and shove it in a baggie or something similar. Then, grab a teaspoon (I have a special teaspoon that I got from an Indian man several years ago and have kept in my back pocket for the same length of time. I should probably wash it tbh) and dump a tspn's worth on your tongue. Then, grab a drink (I used to use OJ as it's thick and carries it down the throat well) and basically swallow the powder using the liquid as a vessel with which to carry it.
There are various tricks and ways to get it down - it is a pretty fine powder and quite sandy in texture, after all. It can be tricky not to choke on it, and this is going to sound vague as hell, but you just need to confidently swallow it down (don't puff out your cheeks when you take your swig as this will throw the powder all over your mouth) and actually almost play with it a wee bit, encouraging it to remain in the middle of my tongue but getting all of the Kratom itself wet in my mouth. Don't jst take a swig and swallow instantly. I flick my tongue back a wee bit almost as if pleasuring a fine lady. Just be confident and FEEL it going down. This sounds really vague, but just GET IT DOWN YOU BOY. There's a lot to be said for that simple phrase.
Secondly, you may try this MUCH easier technique. It tastes pretty foul but is over in a matter of seconds and is hard to fuck up.
Shove your dose in a glass and pour over a tiny amount of liquid, just enough to ensure it becomes a moist, paste-like substance akin to wallpaper paste or with the same kind of consistency as smooth peanut butter (a bit runnier perhaps). You will know what I mean when you see it.
Once it's all stirred in and sitting in the bottom of the glass as a sludge/paste-like texture, you fill up the glass with whatever drink you chose (
DO NOT USE CARBONATED DRINKS.
THIS GOES FOR TOSS AND WASH AS WELL)..try OJ. As soon as you've filled it up to the top, start stirring frantically!
Stir that bad boy for a good 30 seconds then chug chug chug.
Many people feel they can just shove Kratom in a drink and chug, but it doesn't work that way 99% of the time given the consistency and nature of the fine leaf. That's why it's vital to create this pre-drink sludge which then binds to the liquid effectively.
If that fails, I would recommend shoving it in a small yoghurt, mixing well and consuming quickly (each spoonfull can be washed down with a drink much like the toss and wash).
If you don't want to do this, then you may make a tea. Lightly simmer your dose in
xL water, adding lime juice, lemon or vinegar. Do this for 15 minuutes then strain and drink. This is quite a bit weaker than the first 2 methods.
I would try 7g for your first time but I wouldn't be surprised if you don't get much from it considering your Hydro tolerance and the fact you said you got cheap Bali. I have no idea of your source and the Bali could be any old crap, especially if it's from a US vendor. However it might be from a reliable supplier, I don't know. Try 7g your first time anyway. My preferred dose is 10-13g.
Take into account my last post on the previous page as well (re: mixing strains). This will answer your question about what strains do what.
Take care and keep us posted.