Calcium Dosing w/o Reactor

TD13 · Jan 1, 2016

I don't have a calc reactor and am looking for something to make into a solution, either 1/2 gallon or 1 gallon to drip into my tank. I am currently using Soda Ash to maintain my Alk because Kalk had almost NO effect on my tank even at very high doses. I am now maintaining my Alk in the 11-12 dKh range where I want it. My mag is elevated to about 1390-1400 and would like to keep my calc between 450-460. So the only thing I really want to be added is Calc.

LostInTheDark · Jan 1, 2016

If your asking what can you use to make the solution, Prestone Driveway heat or any other mostly pure Calcium chloride ice melt will do it. Check the MSDS on line for the product and it will give you its purity. A little safer route would be something like Seachem Reef Advantage Calcium which has Mag and Strontium in it also.

TD13 · Jan 1, 2016

LostInTheDark said:
If your asking what can you use to make the solution, Prestone Driveway heat or any other mostly pure Calcium chloride ice melt will do it. Check the MSDS on line for the product and it will give you its purity. A little safer route would be something like Seachem Reef Advantage Calcium which has Mag and Strontium in it also.

So just dissolve the Heat? Do you know the mix ratio?

LostInTheDark · Jan 1, 2016

I use 1 cup per gallon just for consistency and adjust the dosing pump to keep the desired level.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jan 1, 2016

I strongly recommend a two part additive solution over independent additives. You can use a commercial one like B-ionic, or you can use my DIY recipe. Many places, like BRS, sell the ingredients, and calcium chloride is the calcium component, which could also be a bulk thing like the the Prestone driveway Heat if cost is a big issue.

As to the limewater, you may not have been able to add enough to maintain alkalinity, but assuming you have reasonable evaporation, you can add 2-3 dKH per day with it.