DIY dosing your Opinions

[Trebor]

Hello I've been thinking of making my alk, and ca myself and I was wondering who else does. Are you happy with the results? How long have you been doing it? Is it worth the trouble? If you have done it both "ways" are you still making your own, why or why not? I'm sure it's cheaper, that's on paper, but results and ease of use are my questions I guess. Thanks and good reefing to ya!

 

[KSzegi]

I've been making my own using the 'two part recipe' for about 6 months now and been very happy with it. Prior to that I had been using brightwell aquatics A&B and just the magnesium part of the 'recipe'. I've been very happy with the switch. I find it to be a lot more cost effective and well worth the minimal added 'trouble' of mixing it - but I do have a 180 and a 90 so use quite a bit. I'm glad I made the switch.

 

[Trebor]

I've been making my own using the 'two part recipe' for about 6 months now and been very happy with it. Prior to that I had been using brightwell aquatics A&B and just the magnesium part of the 'recipe'. I've been very happy with the switch. I find it to be a lot more cost effective and well worth the minimal added 'trouble' of mixing it - but I do have a 180 and a 90 so use quite a bit. I'm glad I made the switch.

How many ml do you dose with Alk, Ca daily?

 

[mgovernali]

I dose Randys two part. I make the solutions myself. Here is the link. An Improved Do-it-Yourself Two-Part Calcium and Alkalinity Supplement System by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com It is very cost effective and works great. I have been doing it for about a year and it takes me an hour a month to make the solutions. I store them in empty milk containers in my basement. Just take care when buying your calcium. I use prestone driveway heat and when I can get it I use BJS brand driveway heat. It is about as pure a calcium chloride as you can get. For the magnesium part I use BJS brand Magnesium driveway heat and Epson Salt. I havent even made a dent into the 5 gallon pail of magnesium that I bought last year. At this pace it will last me 10 years. For the alk part I buy the bulk bags of Arm and Hammer baking/washing soda from BJS.

 

[KSzegi]

How many ml do you dose with Alk, Ca daily?

My 180 currently uses 250 ml of each per day and my 90 uses just 20 as it has very few sps.

 

[pmgaudio]

i dose randys two part. I make the solutions myself. Here is the link. an improved do-it-yourself two-part calcium and alkalinity supplement system by randy holmes-farley - reefkeeping.com it is very cost effective and works great. I have been doing it for about a year and it takes me an hour a month to make the solutions. I store them in empty milk containers in my basement. Just take care when buying your calcium. I use prestone driveway heat and when i can get it i use bjs brand driveway heat. It is about as pure a calcium chloride as you can get. For the magnesium part i use bjs brand magnesium driveway heat and epson salt. I havent even made a dent into the 5 gallon pail of magnesium that i bought last year. At this pace it will last me 10 years. For the alk part i buy the bulk bags of arm and hammer baking/washing soda from bjs.

link not working

 

[beaslbob]

that's correct in that the link is not working.

here is a working link to the origial article.

Aquarium Chemistry: A Homemade Two-Part Calcium And Alkalinity Additive System — Advanced Aquarist's Online Magazine