Stock solutions for doser

[Tek]

I am dosing ALK and Calcium mixed from powders and prepared 1 gallon of solution for each.
The CA dissolves completely but the ALK leaves residue at the bottom similar to Kalkwasser residue. Does it need to be stirred each day or am I over saturating the amount of water? Is the top fluid at a constant ALK if I just leave it alone or increases if I stir the container?

 

[downbeach]

What are you using for your Alk supplement? A&H Baking Soda/Soda Ash does take a little more effort to get into solution. I use a hand held blender when mixing. Baking soda takes more effort than Soda Ash, but both can be made into a clear solution with no residue.

 

[Tek]

Seachem Reef Builder

 

[bertoni]

You could try heating the solution to encourage dissolution, but you might be seeing contaminants or oversaturation. How much did you add?

 

[Tek]

1 cup to 1 gallon

 

[Tek]

I will mix half a cup with the next batch to see if any particles are left. If it is half of what I see now then it will rule out oversaturation and is probably contamination.

 

[bertoni]

One cup per gallon should dissolve, I think. If there's not much left on the bottom, I'd guess contaminants, but your test sounds like a good idea, too.

 

[downbeach]

According to their instructions," Use 3 g (half a level teaspoon*) per 150 L (40 gallons*) twice a week. Dissolve in at least 250 mL (1 cup*) of freshwater". So, if you do the math, there are 16 cups in a gallon, which would mean you should be adding no more than 8 level teaspoons per gallon of freshwater. I think with the concentration you're using you are seeing some precipitation, since the formula includes some Ca, and will not go into solution.

 

[Tek]

I have been using it for years and just noticed the fine print listing the extra ingredients. I always thought it would only raise ALK. Maybe it is time to use DIY.

I dose brightwells calcium chloride and my CA levels kept rising above what I intended per day. It must have been due to the additonal Ca in my alk.

I see it also has magnesium. My salt which is Red Sea Coral Pro had magnesium with the addition of it in my ALK and also when i used Seachem Reef advantage CA explains why my Mag was always 1500+. I have since changed salt and Ca powder.

I am glad I posted this thread and will start looking closer at what I dose. Thank you everyone!