DIY Two-Part Calcium/Alkalinity Solution??

Discussion in 'Water Chemistry' started by gilbertjanke, Apr 4, 2008.

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  1. gilbertjanke

    gilbertjanke Astrea Snail

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    Any one ever try making or currently using the DIY recipe for Calcium and Alkalinity mentioned here.
    An Improved Do-it-Yourself Two-Part Calcium and Alkalinity Supplement System by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

    Is this a pretty good recipe? Im thinking about trying it instead of buying the B-ionic 2 part solutions.

    Ive got a new born and am close to broke.

    I priced out a 2 lb bag of 100% calcium chloride from a pool supply store at $6.99
    Epsom salt for the magnesium at $3.00
    and
    Baking soda for $3.00
    $13.oo for enough chems to make multi gallons of the 2 part solution

    Worth a try? Or is this too dangerous and not reliable?
     
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  3. Diver_1298

    Diver_1298 Eyelash Blennie

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    Absolutely worth a try and much better on the pocket book also. :)
    There are many people who dose this way, or similar. It is not necessary to buy that all in one additive that cost a hundred times more to purchase then what you have listed above.
    Read and enjoy, make sure you have a good reliable test kit, ie salifert or seachem


    Jim

    edit: I purchased from these guys when they were called two part solutions. Bulk Reef Supply - Bulk Reef Supply
     
    Last edited: Apr 4, 2008
  4. gilbertjanke

    gilbertjanke Astrea Snail

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    Thanks DiverJim! I will give it a try. Im excited to learn about this and look forward to implementing it!

    Thanks again
     
  5. suckafish

    suckafish Montipora Capricornis

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    let me know how it works out for you, cause i am using b-ionic at the moment and thing saved is just more money for corals!
     
  6. lunatik_69

    lunatik_69 Giant Squid

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    Just b-careful when dosing DIY additives, esp. if your new to it. Wait until Tangster, Otty, RG chime in so they can give you a guide line. I have only used the baking soda and it does work and its cheap.
     
  7. Otty

    Otty Giant Squid

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    All I use is the ones Tangster has informed me about. That man has so many formulas in his head is is unreal. But he was keeping saltwater way back in the day before all this commercial stuff was available. Stuff has worked great.
     
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  9. gilbertjanke

    gilbertjanke Astrea Snail

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    i've been usisg bakng soda buffering my cichlid tank 4 a while. works great! just wasnt sureabout salt water