DOWFLAKE XTRA

mekesterson93 · Nov 10, 2016

Does anyone use this calcium chloride? Just found out that they have a bunch of this stuff where I work at and am curious if it will cause any negative effects. And if you do use it, how much do you use per 5gl gallons? Thanks in advance!

Ewilson · Nov 10, 2016

Following

-Logzor · Nov 10, 2016

It might have more impurities than what BRS sells. Randy can provide some input probably. Mix some up, see if there are lots of brown impurities. Years ago most people used the bulk dow chemicals but I recall them changing the formula to include more bromine or something.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Nov 10, 2016

mekesterson93 said:
Does anyone use this calcium chloride? Just found out that they have a bunch of this stuff where I work at and am curious if it will cause any negative effects. And if you do use it, how much do you use per 5gl gallons? Thanks in advance!

Yes, it is likely OK. Dowflake now has more bromide than the Dowflake I originally tested it, but regular water changes should keep that problem under control.

mekesterson93 · Nov 10, 2016

Thank you guys, very much. I'm going to bring a bag home with me tomorrow and try it out. What should I mix it to?

71xlch · Nov 10, 2016

I bought some at a store and have been using it. No issues so far.

redfishbluefish · Nov 10, 2016

It would appear that the original Dowflake was 77-80% calcium chloride, while this Dowflake Exta is 83 - 87% calcium chloride....having less associated water. If using Randy's recipe found HERE, I don't have a calculator, but would surmise it would take around 2 1/4 cups Dowflake Exta per gallon of water. Maybe @Randy Holmes-Farley or someone with a calculator can jump in here.

120reefkeeper · Nov 10, 2016

Ask and you shall receive. [emoji4]

http://reef.diesyst.com/chemcalc/chemcalc.html

redfishbluefish · Nov 10, 2016

Thanks @120reefkeeper , but I was actually talking about this kind of calculator

to calculate the amount of DowFlake Xtra it would take to make a stock solution for using two part.

Randy's original recipe with "old, regular" Dowflake was 2 1/2 cups per gallon. With this "newer" Dowflake Xtra, with less bound water, it will take less per gallon to get the same concentration of calcium chloride.

I'm also scratching my head on the calculator you linked with what they are calling Dow Flake....they list it as "anhydrous", but Dow Flake was never anhydrous.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Nov 11, 2016

Yes, I'd reduce the amount of calcium chloride in my recipes by about 5-10%.

Dow does sell a mostly anyhdrous form (Peladow), but that calculator lists Dowflake in the dihydrate form and has it correct.

ltrace · Nov 14, 2016

Home Depot here in Lexington, KY area doesn't carry Dow Flake. Is there anything that can be substituted for it?

redfishbluefish · Nov 14, 2016

I've been using Prestone Driveway Heat....but note it's even more anhydrous, and therefore you only need 2 cups per gallon (if you're making a stock solution per Randy's recipe.)

ltrace · Nov 14, 2016

@Randy Holmes-Farley I work and a school and the chemistry teacher has bottle of .1 molar wt. of calcium chloride. Can that be use in any way?

Randy Holmes-Farley · Nov 14, 2016

ltrace said:
@Randy Holmes-Farley I work and a school and the chemistry teacher has bottle of .1 molar wt. of calcium chloride. Can that be use in any way?

You can use it as a weak calcium supplement.

The calcium part of my DIY two part is about 0.9 M, and pure calcium supplements are typically more than 1 M.

ltrace · Nov 14, 2016

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
You can use it as a weak calcium supplement.

When you say weak what would be the mix ratio?

redfishbluefish · Nov 14, 2016

ltrace said:
@Randy Holmes-Farley I work and a school and the chemistry teacher has bottle of .1 molar wt. of calcium chloride. Can that be use in any way?

That's a relative week solution of calcium. Randy's formula has the calcium at approximately 0.93 molar....so you'd need roughly nine times the volume to get the same bang for the buck.