A Homemade Two-Part Calcium and Alkalinity Additive System
 

Is there anybody using this homemade solution as written by RANDY HOLMES-FARLEY?
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issu...l2004/chem.htm

I have a 50 lb bag of the DowFlake 77-80% Calcium Chloride in my garage right now and would like to use it if possible.
Anybody with any personal experience with the homemade solution?
Or is there any input from the more experienced?

I haven't used it, but many do and it works quite well. Calcium chloride is exactly the same stuff you find in many two-part additives.

Out of curiosity, where did you get the DowFlake? I use limewater right now and I'd like to be able to add more calcium without affecting my pH.

dow flake
 

i got it from a Pool and spa place in Surrey. Coast Pool & Spa on Fraser Hwy just east of 160th street in Surrey. it was about 25 bucks for 50 lb bag (if i recall correctly) check at your local pool & spa place. some hardware places will sell it as ice melter for sidewalks.... good time to go take a look or shortly after the snow fall stops.
cwlee

I use the two part and it works great. I use it to supplement my calcium reactor. I didn't bother with the Dow flake but use Kent turbo calcium. Costs more but it more readily available.

Dow flake vs Kent Turbo
 

Bryan
thanks for your input.
If you ever want me to pick you up a bag, let me know... i only live 5 minutes away from that pool n spa place. Looking at the price comparison, its only 25 bucks for 22.5 kg as oppose to 22 bucks for 800 grams at JL's; thats a siginificant price difference regardless how inconvenient. You will be paying for 28 canisters of 800 gram Kent Turbo ($621.50 plus taxes) for one bag of Dow Flake ($25 plus tax)

Thanks, but a 500g container of Kent even though expensive it lasts me a long long time. I only use the two part when I do large water changes to bring up the cal/alk to my desired levels. My calcium reactor generally keeps things in check.

reply
 

I use the 6:1 ratio of washing to baking sodas regularly to raise ALK in my tank. Since using it my corals have definately grown faster and healthier.

I have been doing 2-part supplements occasionally in additon to a kalk auto-topoff.

So far I used a commercial (aquarium brand) Calcium chloride but now I found CaCl2 online at Canadian tire sold as an ice melt, I will try to get some.

Re: reply
 

Danny what do you use for washing soda? Everytime I look at a package of Arm & Hammer, it has this zesty lemony scent which I'm sure is some kind of additive. Or do you do the "make your own" trick by baking some baking soda in the oven?

Re: reply
 

super store here has some 99.8% pure washing soda.

Steve