calcium help

[Larrys Reef]

I have been using brs two part ..was wondering is if I go to eBay and search calcium carbonate ..I can buy 10 pound bags ..just don't know which one ..do I Need the food grade?
Also how do I dose it ..my calc is low. ..any help is appreciated
Larry
Trying to save a buck
What do you use for calcium?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Getting food grade is an assurance of quality that won't come with unknown grades and brands. Same for USP or BP grades. I personally wouldn't use a random brand or grade without very extensive (expensive) testing. That's what I did for Dowflake years ago.

This calculator shows how much is needed to boost calcium:

Reef Chemistry Calculator

 

[tcoyle]

What DIY Calcium Chloride do you recommend today? I thought I heard that Dowflake changed their formula a bit. What about Technical Grade Calcium Chloride from a place like Sigma-Aldrich, although it looks like it would be way more expensive then BRS.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I wouldn't use a Technical Grade as the is generally the lowest grade.

Dowflake has more bromide in it now, but that's not a big deal, IMO.

I'd pick BRS over most other sources since it is a USP (pharmaceutical) grade.