CaliforniaDreamer
Premium Member
As I mentioned in another thread I would try to start a group buy for CaCl2 and MgCl2 (DowFlake and MagFlake). What I need at this point is some indication of how much to buy. Please post on this thread if you wish to participate in this ââ"šÂ¬Ã…"œgroup buyââ"šÂ¬Ã‚Â.
At this point I found a source for both with the DowFlake coming in at about $20 per 50 pound bag plus tax ... and MagFlake at about $70 for an 80 pound bag. I should mention that I reference the products as MagFlake and DowFlake (one of the products that Randy mentions), however you should be aware that the venderââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s product may not be sold under that name. I have been assured that the product we receive will be the same. The actual chemical name for DowFlake is calcium chloride dehydrate, and MagFlake is magnesium chloride hexahydrate and that is what I will be getting.
My plan will be to offer 10 pounds of DowFlake for about $5.00 and 20 pounds for about $10.00 and 5 pounds of MagFlake for about $4.00 and 10 pounds for $7.00. I say about because I haven't added in the tax, packages to transfer the flake to ... and I expect that the actual prices should be a bit lower than this. When I get an idea of how much we want to buy I will give exact prices but will only deal with multiples of whole dollars and give any excess to the club. Also I will not ship and will only offer for pickup at the meeting or WMC 2006 (assuming I can get it going by that time). Should a fish store be willing I can also drop off there (I will ask John at his new aquarium if that would be ok). I will NOT expect payment up front but can wait until pickup unless someone wants entire bags of product.
When you are deciding you should consider that if you are gong to make up Randyââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s two part calcium/alkalinity additive (really three part if you include magnesium) that you will need much less MagFlake than DowFlake. Also note that Randy suggests that you mix the MagFlake with some Epson salt to maintain ionic balance. I am not planning on group buying Epson salt. Also note that you will need baking soda for the alkalinity part and I am not planning a group buy for that either. Both Epson salt and baking soda are readily available locally, fairly cheaply, in amounts that would typically support a reef aquarium.
At this point I found a source for both with the DowFlake coming in at about $20 per 50 pound bag plus tax ... and MagFlake at about $70 for an 80 pound bag. I should mention that I reference the products as MagFlake and DowFlake (one of the products that Randy mentions), however you should be aware that the venderââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s product may not be sold under that name. I have been assured that the product we receive will be the same. The actual chemical name for DowFlake is calcium chloride dehydrate, and MagFlake is magnesium chloride hexahydrate and that is what I will be getting.
My plan will be to offer 10 pounds of DowFlake for about $5.00 and 20 pounds for about $10.00 and 5 pounds of MagFlake for about $4.00 and 10 pounds for $7.00. I say about because I haven't added in the tax, packages to transfer the flake to ... and I expect that the actual prices should be a bit lower than this. When I get an idea of how much we want to buy I will give exact prices but will only deal with multiples of whole dollars and give any excess to the club. Also I will not ship and will only offer for pickup at the meeting or WMC 2006 (assuming I can get it going by that time). Should a fish store be willing I can also drop off there (I will ask John at his new aquarium if that would be ok). I will NOT expect payment up front but can wait until pickup unless someone wants entire bags of product.
When you are deciding you should consider that if you are gong to make up Randyââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s two part calcium/alkalinity additive (really three part if you include magnesium) that you will need much less MagFlake than DowFlake. Also note that Randy suggests that you mix the MagFlake with some Epson salt to maintain ionic balance. I am not planning on group buying Epson salt. Also note that you will need baking soda for the alkalinity part and I am not planning a group buy for that either. Both Epson salt and baking soda are readily available locally, fairly cheaply, in amounts that would typically support a reef aquarium.
