DIY calcium Replacement

[StephenEvans]

Hi Guys,

Maybe you guys can help, definitely Randy I think.

I was looking at the DIY Calcium (and alk and mg.)

The alk and mg are pretty pure but the Calicuim isn't right? About 80%?

I was thinking to use food grade Cal. Chloride which is 94%-94%.

Wouldnt that be ALOT better for the tank?

Also I looked at the ingredients for Damp Rid, a desiccant at Home Depot, and it was just Cal. Chloride! Looks pretty clean and pure. Is this better than Dow Flake? Actually looks a lot like Kent's Turbo Calcium.

Thanks!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I was thinking to use food grade Cal. Chloride which is 94%-94%.

Wouldnt that be ALOT better for the tank?

Nope.

Dowflake is 77% calcium chloride, and the remainder is largely just water! It is just calcium chloride dihydrate while higher "purity" versions just have the water removed. I tested some of them here:

Purity of Calcium Chloride
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/mar2004/chem.htm

i can't comment on the Purity of Damp rid as I haven't tested it.