KZ Coral Snow = Chalk CaCO3?

[drernesto Verified Sponsor]

I stumbled across a thread on an other forum saying that coral snow is actually Chalk!
Is this possible? A 500ml of coral snow is for 65$.
I've been using it for years [emoji848]
Is it safe to Add lab grade CaCO3 to our precious reef? Or even good grade??
Original thread:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2509907

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

It does include calcium/magnesium carbonate particles, as well as possibly other ingredients:

"Coral Snow contains a natural calcium-magnesium carbonate among other ingredients."

Like any calcium carbonate, it will bind stuff to its surface, including organics which is likely the basis of the claim that the water gets clearer. It should not harm anything.

Aragamight, Kent Liquid reactor, and Purple Up all seems to contain this material (or similar fine powder materials. I do not believe that it adds calcium and alkalinity they way some of these claim, but it will bind stuff.

 

[drernesto Verified Sponsor]

It does include calcium/magnesium carbonate particles, as well as possibly other ingredients:

"Coral Snow contains a natural calcium-magnesium carbonate among other ingredients."

Like any calcium carbonate, it will bind stuff to its surface, including organics which is likely the basis of the claim that the water gets clearer. It should not harm anything.

Aragamight, Kent Liquid reactor, and Purple Up all seems to contain this material (or similar fine powder materials. I do not believe that it adds calcium and alkalinity they way some of these claim, but it will bind stuff.

Thanks a lot Dr. But adding this stuff won't affect anything negatively to the corals? Maybe sticking to the flesh or something...
And some people claim that coral snow encouraged diatoms and a kind of green algae (which I have in my tank without any reason).
Phosphates 0 Hanna
Nitrates 0 Salifert

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I cannot say what other ingredients might be in this product that might impact algae or diatoms, but fine calcium carbonate will not have any boosting effect on algae or diatoms, and I've not seen any evidence from anyone suggesting adding it caused a problem with their corals. The other products I mentioned have been around for many years.

 

[kschweer]

There's some info in this thread too.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/diy-kz-coral-snow-with-97-purity.211722/#post-2424204

 

[drernesto Verified Sponsor]

There's some info in this thread too.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/diy-kz-coral-snow-with-97-purity.211722/#post-2424204

Ohhhh! How did I miss this thread... It's the same as the other forums... But of course it's always better to read it here [emoji3]

 

[SPSREEFS]

Wow, great info Randy!!! Thank you. I have never used the stuff as the price was so high. I too have heard good things about it in the past. I'm happy to say my corals grow just fine without it. I always wanted to try kz products but had this problem with them:
I pay them to strip everything out of my water, then I pay them 10fold to add it back in.........I don't think so!!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Wow, great info Randy!!! Thank you. I have never used the stuff as the price was so high. I too have heard good things about it in the past. I'm happy to say my corals grow just fine without it. I always wanted to try kz products but had this problem with them:
I pay them to strip everything out of my water, then I pay them 10fold to add it back in.........I don't think so!!

lol

Well, at least in that process you control what is there better.

 

[john.m.cole3]

This is food grade calcium carbonate for CHEAP on amazon
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00959XKGI...olid=RNG2SH79UJ3H&coliid=I2OMYBYLODFEW1&psc=1

 

[jason2459]

At that price I may just try it out.

 

[john.m.cole3]

there's a recipe I got from someone on this forum. 230 ml RODI and 20 ml sodium crbonate. Mix it up but it won't disolve. Add 1 ml per 20 gal of the solution you just made.

 

[jason2459]

there's a recipe I got from someone on this forum. 230 ml RODI and 20 ml sodium crbonate. Mix it up but it won't disolve. Add 1 ml per 20 gal of the solution you just made.

Nice, thanks. Just shake it up each time and dose.

 

[john.m.cole3]

Nice, thanks. Just shake it up each time and dose.

correct

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

there's a recipe I got from someone on this forum. 230 ml RODI and 20 ml sodium crbonate. Mix it up but it won't disolve. Add 1 ml per 20 gal of the solution you just made.

Do you mean calcium carbonate?

 

[john.m.cole3]

Do you mean calcium carbonate?

Sorry yes. It was late

 

[jason2459]

Sorry yes. It was late

Ha! and I totally read it as calcium carbonate. I didn't even notice.

 

[bonnie.klassen1]

I’ve been using the “homemade” recipe for years.
This of course was when I was new and didn’t test much and didn’t just buy sps coral.

To make a long story short, I’ve been fighting with my Mag being low at 1200-1290. Was going to dose magnesium today and retested, after adding 5 ml of “homemade” coral snow.
My Mag tested at 1500!!!

Yes the test was right, I retested 6x.

Anyone experience this ?

 

[hyprc]

I’ve been using the “homemade” recipe for years.
This of course was when I was new and didn’t test much and didn’t just buy sps coral.

To make a long story short, I’ve been fighting with my Mag being low at 1200-1290. Was going to dose magnesium today and retested, after adding 5 ml of “homemade” coral snow.
My Mag tested at 1500!!!

Yes the test was right, I retested 6x.

Anyone experience this ?

Holy old thread resurrection, Batman! Interesting that 5ml raised your mag by 300+!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Red Sea kit? Many people have erroneous measurements with it.

 

[bonnie.klassen1]

Red Sea kit? Many people have erroneous measurements with it.

Salifert & Nyos