Damp Rid Cal supplement

[bif24701]

I am wondering how many folk have been using Damp Rid as a cheap Cal supplement. I've been using it for over 6 months now and it does well to maintain my calcium levels. I haven't notice any negative effects. Only live stock I've lost was my two cleaner shrimp a few weeks ago. Both died on consecutive days for unknown reasons. However my SPS, LPS, zoas, GSP, peppermint shrimp, snails, crabs, all other micro fauna and fish are healthy and happy. I have good growth on all coral

I use about one bag every two months or about 9 tsp every week. Added to new water before my 20% change. In addition I also use baking soda and Epsom's salt supplementation for Mag Alk.

Vinegar is dosed at least twice a day (25ml per dose).
Sal test kits
Mag 1450
Alk 10-12
Cal 450-500
Sal 1.026 ( refractometer)
Nitrate 0ppm (API)


Let's discuss










120 gallon mixed reef, 55, 36, and 10g Planted, 29g African rift lake chiclids..

 

[bif24701]

Using tapatalk seems to have eliminated all paragraph breaks and line spaces. Im sorry.





120 gallon mixed reef, 55, 36, and 10g Planted, 29g African rift lake chiclids..

 

[cham]

Too much risk, I don't know how they are sourcing their calcium and that could change at a moments notice.

Calcium is cheap to begin with, bulk reef supply does great for me.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

There are some folks who use it and you can find their experienced by searching on Damp Rid, but it has not been tested for impurities, and that is not easy to do.

 

[bif24701]

I see, though it maybe working fine now that can change because it's purity isn't as important. Is there real risk of harming my tank?





120 gallon mixed reef, 55, 36, and 10g Planted, 29g African rift lake chiclids..

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I've not heard of folks having an apparent problem that I'd clearly attribute to using such a product, but there is a risk, yes. Ammonia or heavy metals impurities, for example. Ammonia would show up as soon as you used a bunch at once, but merals might build up over time.

 

[KCombs]

Just wondering the reason for using it at all; is it appreciably cheaper than Ice Melter like Prestones "Heat"?

 

[poakley723]

Driveway heat works great. Didn't even know damp rid would work.

Good to know in a pinch.

 

[bif24701]

Just wondering the reason for using it at all; is it appreciably cheaper than Ice Melter like Prestones "Heat"?

If we ever had snow in Phoenix I'm sure I could and would purchase it. Lol.





120 gallon mixed reef, 55, 36, and 10g Planted, 29g African rift lake chiclids..

 

[KCombs]

If we ever had snow in Phoenix I'm sure I could and would purchase it. Lol.





120 gallon mixed reef, 55, 36, and 10g Planted, 29g African rift lake chiclids..

Yeah there is that...
Still, doesn't Randy's article list other sources of Calcium Chloride? or are all of them ice melters

 

[bif24701]

Yeah there is that...
Still, doesn't Randy's article list other sources of Calcium Chloride? or are all of them ice melters

They are ice melters.

I didn't realize that it could possibly contain ammonia. That could kill my tank in minutes. Though no one on RC has posted issues with it. I would think that the risk of Dow flake being contaminated would be equal to Damp Rid's, no? I could test for heavy metals by using a poly filter, though that would add to cost. Price and convenience are the only reasons I use it. All my supplements I can purchase at any store. Lime, baking soda, Epsom's salt and damp rid. If I purchased the calcium and magnesium supplements from BRS then I wouldn't have to make as many and large water changes. The ion balance isn't thrown off as much with BRS mag supp as it does with Epsom's salt.





120 gallon mixed reef, 55, 36, and 10g Planted, 29g African rift lake chiclids..

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I would think that the risk of Dow flake being contaminated would be equal to Damp Rid's, no?

Well, perhaps in the absence of any information, but I tested Dowflake for ammonia. It potentially comes from the process used to make the product which can involve added ammonia, not as a random impurity.

 

[bif24701]

I see Randy, peace of mind I think at least is worth the extra money I'll pay at BRS.





120 gallon mixed reef, 55, 36, and 10g Planted, 29g African rift lake chiclids..

 

[Psyops]

If we ever had snow in Phoenix I'm sure I could and would purchase it. Lol.

I was just thinking what the hell are these products? I have never heard of them. Then I realized they are to melt snow. Great comment Phoenix. Lol

California

 

[bif24701]

Check this out on AMZN: Scotwood Industries Inc. 50Lb Cal Flake Icemelt 50B-Chc Ice Melter http://amzn.com/B0044UWUF0


Is this the product? Randy.





120 gallon mixed reef, 55, 36, and 10g Planted, 29g African rift lake chiclids..

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

That's not the product I tested for purity, but I think some folks use it.

 

[bif24701]

That's not the product I tested for purity, but I think some folks use it.

If it wasn't tested then not really any difference in risk from it than Damp Rid? I put in my order at BRS for a large two part recipe 1 package. This will ensure I'm not inducing problems to my tank. I plan in starting to fill my tank out with corals now that it has matures a full year and I have all the equipment and practices in place to give me the best chance of success. I would hate to think that I was too cheap on supplements and caused problems with my coral.





120 gallon mixed reef, 55, 36, and 10g Planted, 29g African rift lake chiclids..

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Sounds like a good plan.

Happy Reefing!