Does anyone use a MAGNETIC STIRRER?

Reefnman2 · Mar 29, 2020

I'm going to to start using the Tropic Marin All 4 Reef and would like to keep a constant stir going so it doesn't settle so I am thinking a magnetic stirrer might do the trick but not sure what to buy, what's a good one? I'll be using a 5 gal. water jug. Thanks for any help.

Retro Reefer · Mar 29, 2020

Your probably not going to find a hobby grade stirrer that will handle 5 gallons, a large capacity lab grade one will set you back around $1k

dwest · Mar 29, 2020

Reefnman2 said:
I'm going to to start using the Tropic Marin All 4 Reef and would like to keep a constant stir going so it doesn't settle so I am thinking a magnetic stirrer might do the trick but not sure what to buy, what's a good one? I'll be using a 5 gal. water jug. Thanks for any help.

Would a kalk stirrer work? Check out avast k1 or k2.

Reefnman2 · Mar 29, 2020

Retro Reefer said:
Your probably not going to find a hobby grade stirrer that will handle 5 gallons, a large capacity lab grade one will set you back around $1k

Yeah I think you're right, I was doing research and saw prices ranged from $25 and way up from there so was thinking maybe someone here might have an idea.

Reefnman2 · Mar 29, 2020

dwest said:
Would a kalk stirrer work? Check out avast k1 or k2.

I actually looked at these or some similar and I think they would work if push came to shove, thanks.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Mar 29, 2020

The product is not fully dissolved? I'd ignore trace solids.

Reefnman2 · Mar 30, 2020

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
The product is not fully dissolved? I'd ignore trace solids.

I'm going to use the DIY method to save some money but having talked with someone who is doing this it sounds like it dissolves clean, I'll just make 2 L at a time which should work.

lmm1967 · Mar 30, 2020

once dissolved I don't see any settling. It takes a bit to get it all dissolved.

I use THIS to mix it and it works just fine. It takes at least an hour to dissolve - I am only using very small magnet stirrers though since that all I have. A larger one may make shorter work of it all.

Reefnman2 · Mar 30, 2020

lmm1967 said:
once dissolved I don't see any settling. It takes a bit to get it all dissolved.

I use THIS to mix it and it works just fine. It takes at least an hour to dissolve - I am only using very small magnet stirrers though since that all I have. A larger one may make shorter work of it all.

This is some good info, thanks. How much do you mix up and aprox. how long does it last?

lmm1967 · Mar 30, 2020

I use the instructions below ( from @Bulk Reef Supply site) to mix up 1L -

It's lasting about a month for me right now with no issues.

1 liter Recipe & Directions

Step 1: Starting with a clean container with at least 1 liter capacity, add 750 mL RODI water. Room temp water is ok, but warm water will help dissolve the powder more quickly.
Step 2: Slowly add 140g CarboCalcium powder, stir continually.
Step 4: Add 12g Bio-Magnesium powder, stir continually.
Step 5: Add 100 ml Pro-Trace A-
Step 6: Add 100 ml Pro-Trace K+
Step 7: Keep stirring. It can take some time for the solution to be clear. Estimate ~20 mins. Solution will be a tint of blue, this is normal.

Reefnman2 · Mar 30, 2020

lmm1967 said:
I use the instructions below ( from @Bulk Reef Supply site) to mix up 1L -

It's lasting about a month for me right now with no issues.

1 liter Recipe & Directions

Step 1: Starting with a clean container with at least 1 liter capacity, add 750 mL RODI water. Room temp water is ok, but warm water will help dissolve the powder more quickly.

Step 2: Slowly add 140g CarboCalcium powder, stir continually.

Step 4: Add 12g Bio-Magnesium powder, stir continually.

Step 5: Add 100 ml Pro-Trace A-

Step 6: Add 100 ml Pro-Trace K+

Step 7: Keep stirring. It can take some time for the solution to be clear. Estimate ~20 mins. Solution will be a tint of blue, this is normal.

Ok thank you, I have a 75 gal. and with my HOB "fuge" and sump about 90 Gal. total so I might not use quite as much then. I appreciate your knowledge, thank you.

lmm1967 · Mar 30, 2020

usage will depend on your coral's consumption obviously. I have 300+ gallons in this system but 180 of it is a fish only tank (mean toadfish gets his own tank).

I think if you mix up 1L, store it in a sealed & dark container, you'll be just fine.

User1 · Mar 30, 2020

Tropic Marin also has a calculator that will give you the estimated does for the product. I'd put in total water volume and not tank size. There are a few calculators out there that can help by factoring in sump and tank size, rocks, and substrate. It does make a difference.

As already said here a few times when you follow the DIY recipe that is located in the BRS sub forum, and also posted here, people have linked a few affordable mixers and also a beaker. It will make a 1800 ml batch give or take. I just placed an order last week. Ironically enough both beaker and mixer said it wouldn't arrive until April 23. Probably due to shipping priorities. Funny thing is BRS supplies are due tomorrow. Beaker arrived on Saturday. No mixer

. That is dead set not shipping until April 23 - ty Amazon

If you really want to make that amount, and it does make sense due to the shelf life, you could grab your cordless drill and DIY a wooden mixing blade and call it a day. I was going to suggest a cement mixing one from HD but do not believe they are stainless steel. But you could DIY using a large paint mixing stick.