Two-part Calcium and Alkalinity Additive System Question

[wannabeafarmer]

Hello all,

I am extremely interested in trying Randy Holmes-Farley's two part calcium and alkalinity additive system, but I am just a little confused as to how much to start dosing initially...and how to adjust my dosages.

Is there a standard starting point (I.E. - ___ML of both parts A & B per Gallon system water volume)? Hope this makes sense!

I posted this in the Chemistry Forum, but haven't recieved ANY response, so I thought that I might try here...

Thanks in advance for any help!

Oh, and for any of you in S. Cal...anyone know where to get Dowflake...the local Home Depot/Lowes looks at me like I'm on something when I ask about it...

Regards
_____

John :?:

 

[ChrisRD]

The starting doseage is not really an exact science, but you could try a similar starting point as something like what's recommended in the instructions for B-Ionic. I think it's like 1 ml (each part) per 5 gallons of system water (someone help me out here - guessing wildly). You could then work up from there as needed. I think Randy's two-part is actually a bit less concentrated than B-Ionic so that would probably be pretty conservative.

As for Dowflake - if you can't find it locally check out:
http://www.buckeyefieldsupply.com/showproducts.asp?Category=46&Sub=1

HTH

 

[Anonymous]

you have to measure to determine how much to dose then dose.

I found dowflake here at a concrete redimix company. Be sure to ask for calcium chloride. It is used to speed the hardening of concrete and raise the heat of hydration. (i. e. works at lower temperatures). At home depot it is used as ice melter. Peladow is a pelitized form.

 

[ChrisRD]

Well, if you figure out what the Ca/Alk content per ml is for your 2-part mix, then you could do some testing as Bob mentioned, and calculate your starting dose. You could test to determine your Ca/Alk demand. If you plan on doing a daily 2-part dose for example, you could test your Ca/Alk, and then test again 24 hours later to see what the drop is. Then you could figure out the required starting dose from there. Of course, as you add corals, etc. to the tank the demand will change, but that would give you a starting point.

So much for not making this starting dose thing an exact science, huh? :wink:

 

[Fastmarc]

Test your water to determin what levels you cal/alk is at now and then use the following calculator to determing the dose to your desired target.
The calculator has Randy's recipe included.
Reef Chemistry Calculator
http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html

 

[zivic2play]

Dowflake isn't available anywhere in the west coast, except for maybe northern Washington state. simply because we don't get any snow. you can try Kragen.com and look for Peak Ice Melt. It's about 25 pounds of premium calcium chloride, like peladow.. although the shipping will set u back some ..

 

[Anonymous]

Dowflake isn't available anywhere in the west coast, except for maybe northern Washington state. simply because we don't get any snow. you can try Kragen.com and look for Peak Ice Melt. It's about 25 pounds of premium calcium chloride, like peladow.. although the shipping will set u back some ..

Have you tired the concrete places or pool supply places.

We have the same problem here with little to no snow. But still a redimix place carried it.

 

[Mihai]

I got Dowflake online. Shipping was more than the product, but it will last me at least 10 years (for about $25), so it's worth it.

Randy's solution is very close to half of B-Ionic based on my calculations.

Ca/Alk changes from day to day are very small (smaller than the precision of the kit) so I recommed you do them once a month instead.

Measure what you have, start dosing a little bit (if you need!), measure in a month and adjust if necessary (up or down). I'm now at 30cc/120 gallons daily, but I have small SPSs.

Regards,
M.

 

[Fastmarc]

Here is a site you can check.
http://www.mainstreetseedandsupply.com/saltproducts.htm

 

[wannabeafarmer]

I went through the phone book and called all the concrete ready-mix places...no one had it. A couple had calcium chloride in liquid, 1-gallon form. I also found a farm-supply store that has a product made by Hills Brothers Chemical Co., which in 94% Anhydrous Calcium Chloride...

I don't know...will that work? If so, how would I mix it up?

Thanks for all the help, guys...I really don't want to have it shipped...the shipping more that doubles the cost.

Regards,

John

 

[Anonymous]

I think it would just check the ingredients. also you may want to pm Dr. Randy holmes-Farley. I seem to remember the anhydrous form may be more dangerous to work with. dow flake is only 89% or so calcium chloride.