BRS Bulk calcium, alk, and mag.

[christygirl]

OK everyone....

I want to start dosing my tank. I haven't started it on my 180 yet. In the past, I have always used the 3 part BRS kit. I want to try and by the product in bulk so that I can (a) save a little money and (b) make 2 gallons at a time.

So, I am looking at the bulk items and wanted to ask your guys experience with the BRS bulk stuff as far as mixing it, success, failure, and any tips that you have learned through "experience"

Any thoughts?

Thanks

Randy

 

[solitude127]

I used to mix 2g at a time and just follow the directions. I did notice that the alk in dosing container would get a white film on the bottom. This time around, I'm only going to do 1g at a time to keep the supplement fresh.

 

[reefomeez]

I used to mix 2g at a time and just follow the directions. I did notice that the alk in dosing container would get a white film on the bottom. This time around, I'm only going to do 1g at a time to keep the supplement fresh.

I think that's normal.


My only suggestion is to mix well before you need it, like a few days. Even with vigorous mixing the crystals don't all dissolve right away. The recipe even says to give them a day or two of rest to fully mix. The last time I made the Mg solution it took almost a week for it to fully dissolve.

 

[christygirl]

Mike,

Did you use the kit, or the bulk stuff? If you used the bulk stuff, which ones did you buy?

I ask, because there seems to be a calcium carbonate and a calcium bicarbonate? Am I missing something?

 

[christygirl]

reef

Thanks for the tip. I experienced that with the kit stuff as well.... I want to buy in bulk to save some money.

 

[jesterisdead]

Fill your sink or similiar tub with warm water (not hot) to help the crystal disolve. Doesn't hut chems as long as its just warm.

 

[ddavies564]

I mix 5 gallons of cal, alk, and mag and have the dosers pull straight from the buckets. Buying in bulk is obviously a great way to save money. But the best way to save is to buy the 5gallon buckets of calcium chloride and mag chloride from brs, baking soda from costco and Mag sulfate from rite aid.

When I mix it's 2.75 cups of calcium chloride to 1 gallon water. For alk I bake 2.5 cups per gallon of baking soda in the oven for 1 hr at 350. I like this method it's the same as soda ash from brs but is like 13 bucks and makes close to 15 gallons of alk. Also it's much fresher then the brs stuff because it has much less time to react with the air, as soda ash sits it accumulates moisture and co2. Also right out of the oven it's all warmed up so it mixes super fast and clean. For mag I do 6 cups of mag chloride and 2 cups of mag sulfate per gallon, for this one mix all the salts slowly and stir the whole time.

Having gallons of two part ready at all times has been nice and not spending an insane amount of money for it all has been even nicer.

 

[pandimus]

I do the same with baking soda, but I put it in a bucket with one gallon of water and a powerhead over night.

 

[solitude127]

Mike,

Did you use the kit, or the bulk stuff? If you used the bulk stuff, which ones did you buy?

I ask, because there seems to be a calcium carbonate and a calcium bicarbonate? Am I missing something?

I buy the 1g size containers. And I buy the same supplements as what's in the recipe 1, Calcium Chloride and Sodium Carbonate.

 

[rocsec1]

I buy the bulk and have no problem with it but I do let it sit a couple of days to let it fully mix.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

I buy it in the 5 gallon buckets from brs. When I make a batch I do it by weight. I have a digital scale that allows me to just put a big bowl on it and weigh the powders. It beats measuring out every single time.

I also allow the mix to sit for a few days mixing it a couple times a day to assure that it's completely mixed when I need it.

I have the 3 gallon container from advanced acrylics so I fill that container up anytime it's needed.

 

[pandimus]

I buy it in the 5 gallon buckets from brs. When I make a batch I do it by weight. I have a digital scale that allows me to just put a big bowl on it and weigh the powders. It beats measuring out every single time.

I also allow the mix to sit for a few days mixing it a couple times a day to assure that it's completely mixed when I need it.

I have the 3 gallon container from advanced acrylics so I fill that container up anytime it's needed.

Do you mix more than the three gallons?

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

No I usually only mix 1 gallon at a time, the most I have done at once was 2 gallons.

Now that I'm home I can comment on what I mix.

20 oz calcium chloride to 1 gallon rodi water
15 oz soda ash to 1 gallon rodi water
34.5 oz mag chloride, 25.5 oz mag sulfate to 1 gallon rodi water

 

[pandimus]

Anyone else here use randys recipe?

 

[vaughnmg]

There's a video on the BRS website that's foolproof. Shows how to get rid of the soda ash

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

What do you mean, "get rid of the soda ash"?

 

[goreef65]

I've used the BRS materials to make Calc, Alk and Mag for the past 2 years. Seems to have worked well with no complaints or issues that I can think of.

 

[christygirl]

To all,

I have used the BRS 2 part for a couple of years as well.... I was trying to find a more economical way of making it that would cost less than the box kit as a whole.

I think it could be very economical to buy the 5 gallon buckets.

I just bought all four of the chemicals in the 1 gallon size, which cost more per gallon for what you can make than the kit.... This is partly because of the shipping.

Now, I think if you buy the 5 gallon the cost goes over the point of the required amount to get free shipping.

I wanted to try it.

Also, Matt (Les Paul Player) sent me the link to Randy's recipes.....

Now, that is where i think the economics of the solutions would pay off real well....

I am going to use the one gallon jugs up and then maybe Iwill start switching to the bulk chems that Randy suggests.

Either way, I will report back in my thread how it works....

So, My AA dosing container has (3) 2 gallon holds.... Calcium, Alkaline, and Magnesium and it also has (3) 1/2 gallon holds.... I am thinking trace, strongtium, iodine....

Thoughts?

I will be doing this with (2) BMt201 dosers.

 

[pandimus]

I use baking soda from Wal-Mart, 51 cents for one gallons worth. I also use calcium an hydrate, that is in the outdoor section of Walmart it costs 6 dollars and I can use it for about six months.

 

[pandimus]

For mag I've just been doing Epsom salts, but lookin for some dowflake.