Dow Flakes or similair cheap CA alternative

[Chin_Lee]

Originally Posted by seashells

I spoke to Ideal and the Dow product is ordinary pool/spa calcium chloride, so any brand would work. Anybody got any ideas on using pool/spa chemical for pH & Alkalinity? Has anyone tried it? It would sure be convenient for me!

I don't mean to minimize the intelligence of the employees of Ideal Pool and Spa but for all intensive purposes, in their line of work, calcium chloride is calcium chloride, The impurities and trace element differences between Dow Flake and Cow Cake brand or Fuzzy Wuzzy Pool brand is irrelevant to them. Their answer probably didn't take into consideration that you will be adding this product to water that "FISH" will be living in and not "HUMANS" to be swimiing in. It the same type of reasoning that aquarist probably don't buy ph UP or ph Down from Superstore or Canadian Tire in their pool and spa place because we just don't know what is their chemical composition.
Having said that, the recommended and compared product is specifically Dow Flake http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/mar2004/chem.htm

I would err on the side of caution and use what has been tested and tried. Other brands of pool calcium chloride, although in all likelihood is just as safe, is just not worth the risk. Taking into consideration of the amount of money in your system now, the inhabitants may react adversely to an unknown/undetermined chemical that would be hard to justify the savings of purchasing the other brands.

Of course, we are all educated people and ultimately, you can make the decision. But read through the above noted link and the following link to be more informed before going this route.
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issu...l2004/chem.htm

Good luck