Takin the plunge

[mako56]

I finally did it I started using the 3-part home made mixture for Calcium, Alkalinity and Magnesium that Randy Holmes-Farley has made possible. I'll let ya know how this works but I might be the only one that has these problems in our group so maybe it doesn't even mater. :lol: :lol: :lol:. But it is a very big scary step for me.

 

[specsirl]

lol...I felt the same way when I first made mine! Thank god I had a lifeline to call!

 

[jmkarcz]

I'm listening. Waiting intently. Many house hold items are reef safe, but I just dont have the nads to dump them in my tanks. SO, this is another thing that I look forward to trying to be LIKE MIKE.

J

 

[scooters reef]

1. Have read his article on making that, but if it works well for you, please let us know where you found it all locally, namely the mag. part.

2. Jason, as for household items, try Kool-Aide

 

[jmkarcz]

Scooter, I've been using the seachem Calcium, it's got a Mag component. I though my Mag was off... nope. It's dead on. I have a test kit and some additives never opened, I'll work you a good deal on. Really Good.

I heard that. But I also heard that it forces you to do a horendious amout of water changes. I'm far to lazy for that. I'll leave that for someone who has alot more energy.

I've even heard that you can control pH with Muratic Acid. But there's no way I'd add it to my tank. It makes sence. I seel it to masons and tile installers to etch concrete floors... huh.

J

 

[scooters reef]

I haven't bothered to test Mag since we moved. Have had just the temp 55 holding tank for rock, and the 200 has been so lightly stocked figured just the small water changes probably has it covered. While still lightly stocked, since there's at least a little in there now, I suppose I should do that soon, LOL.

Just hope the test kit is still good.

 

[jmkarcz]

Mine or yours? I just bought mine about 45-60 days ago.

 

[scooters reef]

Mine.

Replaced my old one when Connie demanded the 200 be moved from the garage and set up before the basement was done. But, then never used it because had so little in there to worry about. Is two years old now and just now starting to add enough to care as long as everything else was in range.

LOL, still ain't much though, and the urchin does all it can to keep it that way.

 

[jmkarcz]

You and that urchin. You should change your profile to call attention to your "urchin species tank" Your not in this for the coral, your in it for the urching.

If you want one, I will sell it for 1/2 of the lowest published price you can find. (used only 2 times)

Also, I have Mag additive, I will sell for 2/3's the price, never opened.

If anyone is interested.

 

[scooters reef]

It's such an awesome urchin though!!!!!!!

Excepting the fact it needs to go of course. Otherwise, we will miss it If it wasn't for it's habit of bulldozing everything, it's probably the one thing that generates the most comments or questions from visitors. And them thinking that pretty orange spot is an eye instead of an [word I can't use] makes it even more fun

It's an eye catcher though. Just wish it didn't knock things over so much

 

[Bri Guy]

Hey Mike, If you don't mind telling, how much did it cost to make all 3 batches (if you bought in bulk I know this will effect the end price, I just want a rough idea)

I was thinking down the road this would be the way to go!

Maybe as a meeting idea we could all pitch in for the supplies and make a big batch of all 3 so everybody could get some cheap. Just an Idea.

 

[mako56]

So you use it specsirl where did you get the ingredients from and hows it working for you?


After I play with it all a while I will know more, tomorrow I will test and see if its working right. My usage will be more than most people in our club I was adding 4-5 teaspoons of Kent turbo calcium and the same of a buffer magnesium is allot less never really figured that one out for a daily thing I would guess maybe a quarter or a half of a teaspoon. I used Peladow for the calcium part couldn't find it anywhere here Online it was like 15.00 for a fifty pound bag and 20.00 to ship it, my brother inlaw found some in Michigan for 18.00 so I gave him a twenty and he was happy. The alkalinity part is just baking soda either baked for an hour at 300 degrees or not depending on your ph. And the magnesium part is Epsom salts which I found and MagFlake brand ice melter that I didn't find yet so I am just using up what I have. You don't need very much anyway if I can't find it anywhere I can just keep using what I am now. Keep your Eyes peeled for me everyone please.

 

[specsirl]

I do use it as well as a couple of others from our club here. It's been working wonderfully for me. Try contacting Sticky on the Central WI forums. He's using it too on his 180 heavily stocked mainly sps tank.
I'm mixing mine using the prestone driveway heat, arm and hammer baking soda, and the epsom salt. I couldn't find dowflake either when I first started, but now our local home depot carries it. If there are any questions I can answer for you, please let me know.

 

[specsirl]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8647041#post8647041 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Bri Guy
Hey Mike, If you don't mind telling, how much did it cost to make all 3 batches (if you bought in bulk I know this will effect the end price, I just want a rough idea)

I was thinking down the road this would be the way to go!

Maybe as a meeting idea we could all pitch in for the supplies and make a big batch of all 3 so everybody could get some cheap. Just an Idea.

The driveway heat was like $6.00 the baking soda was about the same price( I got an 11 pound bag from sams club). and the epsom salts was only a couple of dollars from wal mart. I have enough to last me several years now dosing this on my 75 gal tank.