"Hydrated Lime" vs "Pickling Lime or Quick Lime"

firebirdude

firebirdude

User and Abuser
So after searching at every local establishment that generates income from selling products to customers, I found something at Ace Hardware. It was in the garden department and is used to sweeten soil. It was labeled "Hydrated Lime".
Calcium (CA)...........................................51.50%
Calcium Oxide (CaO).................................72.50%
Magnesium Oxide (MgO).............................0.45%
Calcium Carbonate Equivalent (CaCO)...........131.00%
Calcium Hydroxide (Ca(OH)2).......................95.79%
ENP...........................................................130.35%
ENV.........................................................130.35%
It was an EXTREMELY fine powder. At least as fine as baby powder. Came in a plastic zip-lock top bag. Like 5lbs for $8.

After searching around the net, I have found a couple places that seem to hint that it's the same stuff as pickling or quicklime, but with added water.
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/dec2003/chem.htm (about 1/3 way down in blue writing. CTRL+F for "hydrated")

http://www.simplifiedreefkeeping.com/faq/kalk.htm (middle of the article, in parentheses)

Can I use this stuff? It's local and cheap as all hell.
 
I'd normally suggest avoiding agricultural grades. It may be Ok, but there is no easy way to know. Often such grades are not even the bright white of higher grades, but are more tan, showing more potential impurities.

Also, agricultural lime is often actually powdered calcium carbonate, not calcium hydroxide. I don't think that is true in this case, but at many home center stores that is the case.
I discuss what the different grades of lime mean here:

What Your Grandmother Never Told You About Lime
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/index.htm
 
The question wasn't "should I chance it?"

Any other opinions on this? I think I've made a pretty fair point that is back by two sources. Wondering if anyone has any first hand experiences by chance.

Also, this powder was bright white. Not tan or mis-colored at all.

And thanks for the link Randy. I've read it several times though.
 
Well, from the description I'd expect it to be calcium hydroxide, which should work as a supplement.
 
And thanks for the link Randy. I've read it several times though.

You're welcome. :)

Any other opinions on this? I think I've made a pretty fair point that is back by two sources.

Well, not so fast bucko. :D

I was one of the sources, so I am very familiar with my opinion. Yes, it is obviously the same primary chemical. No, you know nothing about impurities like copper in it. Might it be OK? Yes. Might it not be OK? Yes.

It all depends on how much you think it is worth the risk compared to very inexpensive alternatives that have higher quality control (like food grade lime). :)
 
haha Thanks for your reply. I figured with everyone hunting their local stores for Kalk, someone would have stumbled on this stuff. And with the large population here on RC, someone would have actually used it before. Hoping I would get that person to speak up.:)

Unless this 1 in 100,000 person speaks up, guess I'll pay a little more and order off the net.
 
I use "Industrial Grade Hydrated Lime" that I buy from my local hardware store for $4.99 for 50 lbs. It is Bald Eagle Brand. I have been using it for a couple of months now without any problems. I contacted the company and they assured me of its purity and said it is used in both industrial and food applications. I use a ton of lime, so even Mrs. Wage's was becoming a bit expensive.
 
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