Is there a 2 part that the alkaline will mix easily and not separate? I'm unable to get mine to stay mixed. Thanks in advance. I've used a blender, soaked the containers in hot water and even microwaved it in a bowl. Fixing to dip it out of my doser container again.
2 part staying mixed
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Saltyreef
I'm not your dad...
Alk and calcium are meant to be dosed seperately because of precipitation when mixed.
You will need 2 dosing heads and keep them in seperate containers and dose a few mins apart.
You will need 2 dosing heads and keep them in seperate containers and dose a few mins apart.
Randy Holmes-Farley
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What recipe exactly are you using? Some folks use sodium bicarbonate in the sodium carbonate concentration, which will not work.
It should dissolve except perhaps for some fine sediment.
Dilution will help dissolve it if you have issues.
It should dissolve except perhaps for some fine sediment.
Dilution will help dissolve it if you have issues.
Saltyreef
I'm not your dad...
Pharmaceutical grade what.....
I've been using this brand for a couple years now but it seems since its gotten cold outside it wont stay mix. I'm tired of randomly buying this and that trying it just to find out it's not any better. I chatted on line with the brand owner this morning and as a parting note I was suggested a hot plate with a magnet stirrer. I will leave the hobby before I'll attempt that stunt.
MnFish1
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Its hard to understand your question - a little - (sorry) - are you saying that you cant mix the bicarbonate part of your 2 part? If thats the case - (I use BRS) - I just add it all to the jug (which is filled with about 1/3 of water - shake it like crazy with the top on - add more water - shake it again like crazy, and repeat until the jug (a gallon) is full - at first its a little cloudy - let it sit - and it rapidly dissolves. Make sure youre not using sodium carbonate!!..
This is what I'm using. But unless I got a bad catcher something, I cant get it to dissolved.
MnFish1
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Make sure you're following the recipe exactly (sorry - had to say it) - but - I have had this problem with soda ash too - what I did is I mixed it as well as I could - then - poured off the supernatant - leaving a very little residue - which should not (did not) - affect anything
I'll try again (3rd gallon today). I've been using the soda ash for a couple years and I've had this happen about 5 times now. And just like you described I've been mixing and shaking then tried to poured it in an old blender lol trying to keep from just dumping another batch.
Randy Holmes-Farley
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I'll ask again, what recipe exactly are you using?
Soda ash
2 and 1/3 cups to 1 gallon of RO WATER
MTBake
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I have always mixed up the soda ash, then let it sit over night and shake it again. Usually comes out clear after that. Letting it sit in warm water helps as well. I have never been able to mix it clear without letting it sit for a while.
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That is more concentrated than my standard DIY recipe for many types of sodum carbonate, but the one BRS uses is especially fluffy and should be OK.
MTBake
2500 Club Member
BRS states 2 1/3 cups of soda ash per gallon of water. Seems like too much to me.
www.bulkreefsupply.com
Fwiw, I follow this set of instructions...
www.melevsreef.com
BRS Pharma Soda Ash Mixing and Dosing Instructions
.mainInstructionImage { float: right; width: 350px; max-width: 100%; height: auto; margin: 0 1.1em 1em 1.2em; } If you need to raise your aquariums alkalinity level or just want a high-quality additive for daily 2-part dosing, BRS Pharma Soda Ash is a great alkalinity solution
www.bulkreefsupply.com
Fwiw, I follow this set of instructions...
DIY: Make your own Soda Ash cheaply | Melev's Reef
Randy Holmes-Farley
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BRS states 2 1/3 cups of soda ash per gallon of water. Seems like too much to me.
BRS Pharma Soda Ash Mixing and Dosing Instructions
.mainInstructionImage { float: right; width: 350px; max-width: 100%; height: auto; margin: 0 1.1em 1em 1.2em; } If you need to raise your aquariums alkalinity level or just want a high-quality additive for daily 2-part dosing, BRS Pharma Soda Ash is a great alkalinity solution
Fwiw, I follow this set of instructions...
DIY: Make your own Soda Ash cheaply | Melev's Reef
BRS uses my DIY recipe, modified to fit the sodium carbonate they use. They hopefully did that correctly.
When they sourced sodium carbonate, they presumably used a pretty low bulk density material. I seem to recall confirming that with them years ago.
Well we will see as I just finished up another gallon. I hate when you just have to pour out a product that cost ya money, this hobby is expensive enough as it is. I might give the baking soda route a try if this happens again.
Hopefully this batch will come out ok.
Hopefully this batch will come out ok.
