Does anyone know where to get Calcium Hydroxide in bulk

[ddc0715]

yeah so that's the question. Does anyone know where to get Calcium Hydroxide in bulk otherthan the online reef stores? I mean they get it from somewhere to.

i get my soda ash from the co-op for about 30 bucks for a 50lb bag.

 

[KStatefan]

Amazon

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

How large is bulk for you?

You can often get 50 pound bags. In a group buy years ago it was less than $3, but the cheapest I see right now is about $50:

Organic, non-GMO Food and Produce Delivered - Azure Standard

www.azurestandard.com

 

[ddc0715]

50lb should last a good long time

 

[KStatefan]

How large is bulk for you?

You can often get 50 pound bags. In a group buy years ago it was less than $3, but the cheapest I see right now is about $50:

Organic, non-GMO Food and Produce Delivered - Azure Standard

www.azurestandard.com

That way cheaper then the Mississippi Lime at amazon.

 

[ddc0715]

How large is bulk for you?

You can often get 50 pound bags. In a group buy years ago it was less than $3, but the cheapest I see right now is about $50:

Organic, non-GMO Food and Produce Delivered - Azure Standard

www.azurestandard.com

thanks randy I just order some. That was SOME BIG TIME SAVINGS THERE. not sure about this drop pick-up concept seems odd. But im going to give it a try

 

[atomos]

The drop pick-up concept experience was fine when I ordered from Azure Standard for other things. They are a bigger wholesaler/distributor to a good handful of smaller health food stores around my area.

 

[CoralB]

yeah so that's the question. Does anyone know where to get Calcium Hydroxide in bulk otherthan the online reef stores? I mean they get it from somewhere to.

i get my soda ash from the co-op for about 30 bucks for a 50lb bag.

Try bulk reef supply

 

[14 foot reef]

How large is bulk for you?

You can often get 50 pound bags. In a group buy years ago it was less than $3, but the cheapest I see right now is about $50:

Organic, non-GMO Food and Produce Delivered - Azure Standard

www.azurestandard.com

Randy,
Do you believe there is any reason to focus on a lab grade Calcium hydroxide ? Or do you believe that food grade Calcium Hydroxide is as good or good enough for long term continued use in our reef tanks.

 

[Woodyman]

Randy,
Do you believe there is any reason to focus on a lab grade Calcium hydroxide ? Or do you believe that food grade Calcium Hydroxide is as good or good enough for long term continued use in our reef tanks.

Different grades basically have different levels of allowable impurities. That is the simple way of explaining it.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Randy,
Do you believe there is any reason to focus on a lab grade Calcium hydroxide ? Or do you believe that food grade Calcium Hydroxide is as good or good enough for long term continued use in our reef tanks.

Lab grade isn't generally recognized specification. I discuss the specification for various grades here, and food is certainly fine:

What Your Grandmother Never Told You About Lime by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

 

[14 foot reef]

Lab grade isn't generally recognized specification. I discuss the specification for various grades here, and food is certainly fine:

What Your Grandmother Never Told You About Lime by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

Randy Thank you, so you see zero value in buying a "so called" Pharm grade or Lab Grade over the food grade such as the Azure brand mentioned above. 50 lbs for $50.00 is very appealing compared to a "So Called" pharm grade at $270.00 for 40 ish pounds ?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Randy Thank you, so you see zero value in buying a "so called" Pharm grade or Lab Grade over the food grade such as the Azure brand mentioned above. 50 lbs for $50.00 is very appealing compared to a "So Called" pharm grade at $270.00 for 40 ish pounds ?

Food grade looks like a better specification than pharma grade for this material.

 

[ajjw0828]

Food grade looks like a better specification than pharma grade for this material.

Hi Randy, thanks for the article, very helpful! Just ordered this 5lb bag. After reading article this seems like it should work, just wanted to be sure before dosing. Currently using BRS but this is way cheaper.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Yes, food grade pickling lime is typically a good choice.

 

[Gedxin]

Is there any concern with how certain distributors store and sell their kalk? Randy, I think you mentioned that exposure to air is a sure way to reduce potency. Does it coming in a paper bag risk that?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Is there any concern with how certain distributors store and sell their kalk? Randy, I think you mentioned that exposure to air is a sure way to reduce potency. Does it coming in a paper bag risk that?

Paper bag only wouldn't be an optimal choice, but I think some paper bags would be lined on the inside.

The bulk calcium oxide I got from Mississippi Lime Co was in a paper bag, like the one shown below. I cannot recall if it was lined inside. Maybe it just relied on the large mass inside to reduce the percent degraded as CO2 entered.

 

[92Miata]

Paper bag only wouldn't be an optimal choice, but I think some paper bags would be lined on the inside.

The bulk calcium oxide I got from Mississippi Lime Co was in a paper bag, like the one shown below. I cannot recall if it was lined inside. Maybe it just relied on the large mass inside to reduce the percent degraded as CO2 entered.

This sort of stuff is pretty easy to find at livestock supply places, and even lawn care places. And usually only about $25 a bag. They just don't typically list it online because shipping a bag is crazy.


Most commercial farms have gone to liquid/spray liming (it's way safer, and more consistent) - but the powdered stuff is still available. And if they don't have it in stock, they can usually get it.

 

[ajjw0828]

Yes, food grade pickling lime is typically a good choice.

Thanks Randy, I'll try it and see what happens!