Contracted 2-part Dosing Mixes

Reef_Hobbyist · May 25, 2018

Trident claims their dosing mixes are super concentrated (7X) and therefore a small container of mix goes a long way. Now I am wondering, can we do that with our regular 2 part? Why do we use the concentration we use today? Is it possible to dissolve the mix in less water? And if so, what would the formula be to make it 2X, 3X or more?

I heard that the Trident chemicals jam up the dosing lines a bit because of this and I would suspect it needs to be dosed into a high flow pump but other than that, I would love to have a gallon jug versus a 5 gallon bucket if I could do that.

Is it doable?

Randy Holmes-Farley · May 25, 2018

It is only 7x compared to a different product of theirs, not compared to other two parts like ESV B-ionic.

All two parts (except those using sodium hydroxide) are limited by the solubility of the sodium carbonate or bicarbonate. If you have very good mixing equipment, you can make them somewhat more concentration than my DIY or B-ionic, but not 7x.

The new hydroxide DIY can be as concentrated as you want, although that isn't typically a substantial benefit.

Reef_Hobbyist · May 25, 2018

Even double would be great. Can I accomplish that in a 1 gal jug by shaking it (not sure what you meant by good mixing equipment).

I am currently only adjusting my doser by a ml or 2 as my tank consumes more over time but not significant changes. Just want the mix to last longer. However, its also not worth messing things up either.

Randy Holmes-Farley · May 25, 2018

At 25 deg C, the solubility limit of sodium carbonate is about 30.7 g/100 grams of water.

That's certainly more potent than my DIY (about 100 grams in one liter total volume after solid dissolution), but most folks will have difficulty attaining the solubility limit.

It's fine to try 2x, but not 7x.

Reef_Hobbyist · Jun 5, 2018

I had no trouble dissolving twice the amount of soda ash and calcium chloride into the same amount of RODI thus creating 2X concentrated dosing mixes. I reduced my dosing pump amounts by half and I have not had a blip in my readings during daily testing.

So far, no problems with dosing lines clogging or precipitation issues at the dosing site due to the more concentrated mixes. I am now able to go twice as long with the same size dosing mix containers before needing to refill thus avoiding the need for larger dosing mix containers and more space that I just don't have. The way it dissolved, I feel like I could easily go to 3X as well. Might try that next.

Sooooo..... I feel like I must be missing something here because nobody else seems to have asked about or tried this before? Isn't space limitations a fairly common challenge with a lot of you reefers out there?