DIY flocculant

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Sometimes I make my own snow by mixing 1:1 esv part 1 and 2 in rodi but the particles are larger than I'd like. They form somewhat large when initially added then I shake and they seem small but when I pour into the tank they're bigger. Is there a ratio of rodi to add that would perhaps make the particles not bind in such a large mass? I'm thinking there's a dilution ratio that would maybe affect this? 1:1:1 isn't it. I've been pretty imprecise with the rodi to this point but I'd like to make a finer particle recipe if possible
 
Sometimes I make my own snow by mixing 1:1 esv part 1 and 2 in rodi but the particles are larger than I'd like. They form somewhat large when initially added then I shake and they seem small but when I pour into the tank they're bigger. Is there a ratio of rodi to add that would perhaps make the particles not bind in such a large mass? I'm thinking there's a dilution ratio that would maybe affect this? 1:1:1 isn't it. I've been pretty imprecise with the rodi to this point but I'd like to make a finer particle recipe if possible
did you find the article on this? there's one about crystal clear water, sunnyx or something....sorry, it's early and my brain is yet to wake up... but that's not coral snow. You're getting that because your mixing alk and calcium...it's precipitating.
 
did you find the article on this? there's one about crystal clear water, sunnyx or something....sorry, it's early and my brain is yet to wake up... but that's not coral snow. You're getting that because your mixing alk and calcium...it's precipitating.
Yeah that turned me onto using it. I've been using bagged calcium carbonate but have a ton of esv and I like the idea of trace added as well. Mixing the two creates calcium carbonate; same stuff as in the bag. Just want finer particles..
 
Mixing 2 part products as just chemicals to make CaCO3 sounds really expensive.
(I don't know the answer to control precipitate size.)
 
Deleted repetitive answer.. I type to slow lol

 
Yeah I'm not saying it's cheap but I have 2 gallons of esv I'm not using right now and it only takes a little bit to make enough for my tank. I heard about it from Dr Zou on an episode of reefbum; I like some of his ideas. Guess I could keep playing around; just thought I'd ask before burning through some more product
 
Yeah that turned me onto using it. I've been using bagged calcium carbonate but have a ton of esv and I like the idea of trace added as well. Mixing the two creates calcium carbonate; same stuff as in the bag. Just want finer particles..

Why not save the ESV for normal dosing and use calcium carbonate powder for the DIY coral snow.

If you wanted finer particle sizes of what you are making you could dry it then grind to what you wanted.
 
I don’t think you will find it easy to control particle size, but mixing fast may help. Dilution might make them biggger if smaller, but is easy enough to try.

Note, however, that you may also be making magnesium hydroxide particles that will dissolve in the tank water.
 
I don’t think you will find it easy to control particle size, but mixing fast may help. Dilution might make them biggger if smaller, but is easy enough to try.

Note, however, that you may also be making magnesium hydroxide particles that will dissolve in the tank water.
Ah. I was wondering what happened to the Mg; it did bump my ph by .07 temporarily. I'll keep playing with the ratio and speed which I mix it. Thank you
 

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