Randy's Two-Part Question

[coral_reefer_25]

I have begun to use Randy's Two-Part solution for topping off my tank.

I baked the baking soda for every bit of an hour or more on 325ºF. In the used (but clean) milk jug, the solution is clear. As soon as the solution from that jug hit the water in my sump, the baking soda solidified and made little milky white "chunks" kind of churning around. As the particulates were getting sucked into the return pump, they seemed to liquify before entering the main tank. As soon as I saw what was happening as I was pouring the solution into the sump, I stopped, so I probably only poured in about a half cup.

I've never used this before, so this is all very new. Is this reaction normal?? What would have happened if I had added about a cup or more?

Again, looking through the solution in the jug, I don't see anything floating around in there, except for very very small particles....even when looking through the bottom of the jug.

 

[Peterock]

yES this is normal because you disolved the baking soda in fresh water once hit contacts the salt the milks up then dissolves again i have been using it over 2 yrs now it happens every time.... Also since you are using it you might want to start doing Mg test becasuse high or low Mg will also casuse a different reaction to the home made stuff. Where did you get the dow flake....

 

[Peterock]

Here is the link to read on http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php

 

[crumbletop]

You need to add the alk component slowly to a high flow area, or it can precipitate out. Make sure you are not using this stuff as topoff. You should only dose based on the difference between your desired alk level and the actual measured value. Here is a PDF from the club meeting where we talked about 2-part. It has a link in it to a web calculator to determine how much of each (alk and ca) you need to add to your tank. If you add too much (like could be the case if using this as topoff), you can crash your tank.

http://bellsouthpwp2.net/c/r/crumbletop/Homemade2-Part.pdf

 

[coral_reefer_25]

I guess I misspoke. I'm not actually using this stuff as the topoff....I'm adding it WHEN I top off my tank. And I just did it for the first time this morning. Hence the reason for this thread.

Thanks for the info guys. This is most helpful!

So, I should continue to top off with fresh water, and add the two-part as needed to maintain Alk, Ca, and Mg levels......correct??

 

[crumbletop]

Yep

 

[c_stowers]

I'd guess your problem is adding it to fast as well. Try adding it slowly to a high flow area as already mentioned. The white percipitate you see is magnesium carbonate and is usually caused by a local increase in pH due to the sodium carbonate. If you add it slowly, you will notice a lesser local change in pH and thus less precipitation.

 

[coral_reefer_25]

Define "slowly".

 

[c_stowers]

I usually add about 100 mL over a period of 5-10 minutes. I don't set in front of the tank that long, but I'll add 25 mL, scrub the glass, add 25 mL more, feed the fish, then add 25 mL more...I think you get the point. HTH.

 

[coral_reefer_25]

Okay...that helps. Thanks Chris.