mrs wages

[bgraves]

Was fixing to buy some mrs wages instead of spending all the extra money on a name brand kalk. Is there any different steps I need to take to add to my ATO? My LFS said not to do it. Is it because they just want to sell me something?

 

[sikpupy]

More than likely that and they do not know any better, but, I will wait until someone else chimes in for sure.

 

[redfishsc]

I can't tell you their motivation for telling you that, but I seriously doubt that there is one shred of difference between the $20 kalkwassar and the $3 pickling lime, other than the fancy label and ludicrous markup (not blaming the LFS on the markup, they pay more for it than we pay for 3X the amount of pickling lime).


Just use the Mrs. Wages as you normally would the other stuff. I've used both commercial "kalkwassar" and grocery store pickling lime interchangeably (ie, after I found out the pickling lime was the same thing I quit buying the fancy priced crap)

 

[BuddhaKiss]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15321367#post15321367 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by redfishsc
I can't tell you their motivation for telling you that, but I seriously doubt that there is one shred of difference between the $20 kalkwassar and the $3 pickling lime, other than the fancy label and ludicrous markup (not blaming the LFS on the markup, they pay more for it than we pay for 3X the amount of pickling lime).


Just use the Mrs. Wages as you normally would the other stuff. I've used both commercial "kalkwassar" and grocery store pickling lime interchangeably (ie, after I found out the pickling lime was the same thing I quit buying the fancy priced crap)

Oh boy, I hope your right, cuz I bought every bag my local walmart carried (10 bags). Haven't used them yet as I'm waiting for my kalk to run out.

 

[ludnix]

Ms. wages is pretty cheap but I think the kalkwasser on bulk reef supply is cheaper. Ms. Wages has the added convenience of you being able to get it at the store though (maybe).

 

[spleify]

Its the same product. I have also been using it for years now. I used the commercial brand before that, with the same results.

I have about 10 containers of Mrs Wages my self, I buy it everytime it goes on sale.

Use with confidence.

 

[Salamander]

Just don't use the flavored stuff and its exactly the same.

But you can always get Kalk even cheaper than Mrs. Wages from online vendors such as the RC sponsor Bulk Reef Supply.

Its amazing how many products you can buy, mix and use that are so much cheaper than the products labeled specifically for Reefs.

 

[widmer]

The primary difference is that Mrs. Wages is food grade so it's most likely more pure than any pickling lime sold for aquarium use. If Randy is around I'm sure he will ditto.

 

[ludnix]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15322301#post15322301 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by widmer
The primary difference is that Mrs. Wages is food grade so it's most likely more pure than any pickling lime sold for aquarium use. If Randy is around I'm sure he will ditto.

I'm sure he would, from his article on reef alchemy:

Aquarists can buy lime from a variety of different aquarium supply companies. Most often, these companies sell calcium hydroxide and call it kalkwasser or kalkwasser mix. Some of these companies claim that their lime meets a particular standard for purity (Warner, ESV, and Seachem, for example), and these standards are detailed in later sections of this article. Others (Kent, Coralife and Two Little Fishies, for example) do not appear to make specific claims other than claiming that their products are pure.

Pickling lime can often be found at large grocery stores, especially in the Fall. Apparently, some folks still do use it for canning, although one company (Ball) has apparently stopped selling it. However, you may still find their product occasionally. Another major brand is Mrs. Wages, which can also be obtained online for $1.85 per pound or less. Any brand of pickling lime is likely fine to use as a base for limewater solutions, as it has to be food grade to be sold commercially (the implications of which are described below).

 

[Eldredge]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15321730#post15321730 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ludnix
Ms. wages is pretty cheap but I think the kalkwasser on bulk reef supply is cheaper. Ms. Wages has the added convenience of you being able to get it at the store though (maybe).

+1

 

[bgraves]

thanks looks like i am going shopping

 

[bgraves]

oh, will it be ok to dose the solution when i am using reef buffer? I am trying to reach a ph of 8.1-8.2 and alk 11 or 12

 

[jener8tionx]

Around here in Dec-Jan it goes on sale a W-mart for $1.50 a jar. I stocked up!

 

[thincat]

I order it online and got the product pretty fast.

 

[downhillbiker]

There is absolutely no difference. Here is the cheapest place I have found. Their prices have gone up, but they are still cheaper than anywhere else.

http://www.bulkfoods.com/search_res...xtsearchParamVen=ALL&txtFromSearch=fromSearch

 

[aklee987]

Can you also use Mrs Wages for aptasia removal?

 

[jenglish]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15323957#post15323957 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by aklee987
Can you also use Mrs Wages for aptasia removal?

yes

 

[downhillbiker]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15323957#post15323957 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by aklee987
Can you also use Mrs Wages for aptasia removal?

yes. pickling lime (IS-100%) kalkwasser.

 

[bgraves]

I saw a Mrs. Wages pickling salt. I assume not the same seeing how it says salt right?

 

[jenglish]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15326089#post15326089 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bgraves
I saw a Mrs. Wages pickling salt. I assume not the same seeing how it says salt right?

I would only use it if it is labeled Lime. Pickling salt is probably Lime + salts and seasonings to pickle cucumbers