Randy Holmes=Farely DIY 2 Part Calc/Alk Additve

[dwake]

Any one know where to get the Calcium (Dowflake or All Clear Calcium Chloride) or Magnesium (Magflake) components to RHF's DIY additives. These are both de-icing components and are not readily available here in So. Cal.

Thanks,
Doug

 

[CW from the OC]

Bump, would like to know as well.

I was in Big Bear over the weekend, forgot to look in stores there, but maybe that is a place to look....

 

[wbburris]

Try a pool supply store for the DOW flakes.

 

[Konadog]

In this months Reefkeeping Magazine, Randy has an improved recipe for his two-part additive along with a few links on where to purchase material.

An Improved Do-it-Yourself Two-Part Calcium and Alkalinity Supplement System

 

[drake66]

awesome!

 

[dwake]

Problem is with those links, they are all back east and sell in 50lb portions. The shipping cost is going to be huge. Any where else that either sells in smaller quantities or closer to So. Cal?

 

[saltyDDS]

Anyone heading up to Mammoth? Maybe they sell it up there since they do get snow.

 

[vaughan5]

^ Interested as well. Anyone ?

Doug if you find out where to get the DowFlake be sure to post.

 

[dwake]

Any one else with any suggestions?

 

[SuperNerd]

Heard that anhydrous CaCl2 is also good. Anyone here use it?

 

[billyzbear]

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=724755
It's an old post now but should help.

 

[laverda]

Seams like their is enough interest for a group buy for one or two bags divided up amongst several people.

 

[Bebo77]

from what i understand pool supple stores carry a calcium based product just like dow snowflake.. i cant remember the name but ill look for it.

 

[Bebo77]

Its great for melting snow on sidewalks and pavement, but . . . ?

If you need calcium chloride, all pool supply stores carry hardness enhancers - usually 97% anhydrous calcium chloride w/ 3% moisture content (and no other ingredient). You can get a 8 lb bucket for $14, enough to raise 6,000 gallons by 100ppm. Use 2-1/2 cups to 1 gal r/o water as dosing solution. I don't know why I ever bought "reef" calcium additives.

If you need a two-part additive, make a separate batch of baking soda solution. Restaurant supply stores like Smart & Final have their generic brand of 10 lbs for $4. Use 2-1/4 cups per gal, but first spread it on a cookie sheet (dry) and bake for about an hr to drive out the moisture & CO2.

Don't forget magnesium, 64 oz of epsom salt to 2 gal solution. Use this in equal parts to the above. Keep all 3 solutions separate, adding in dispersed/high flow areas.

This is stolen from Randy's Homemade Two-Part recipes on ReefKeeping online. [/B][/QUOTE]

 

[laverda]

this thread has some good info http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=732165

 

[SuperNerd]

Thanks guys.

 

[dc_909]

Leslies Pool supply store $17.99 for a bucket.

 

[SuperNerd]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8225719#post8225719 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dc_909
Leslies Pool supply store $17.99 for a bucket.

Exactly which brand are you referring to? The Leslie's brand I asked for has remnants of potassium chloride as well as sodium chloride.

 

[dc_909]

You can ask the person to get an MSDS for the product in question. It should be a sheet from the DOW company explaining all ingredients. 97% I believe. The chlorides are salts and shouldn't have any negative affects. I have been dosing for over a year now and everything looks good.

 

[SuperNerd]

Yeah. The person looked in a big, big book. Said it was 94-97% anhydrous CaCl2, 3% water and less than 3% (said it was "negative 3%" sodium chloride and potassium chloride).