Maintaining Alk

Travis Stewart · Mar 20, 2018

Just ran out of brs 2 part and saw that they discontinued it. How can I maintain all while I’m waiting on another’s option? I also would like some recommendation on product if not at least a diy product. Soda ash and RO?

krausean · Mar 20, 2018

Google "Randy's recipe"

Randy Holmes-Farley · Mar 20, 2018

Travis Stewart said:
Just ran out of brs 2 part and saw that they discontinued it. How can I maintain all while I’m waiting on another’s option? I also would like some recommendation on product if not at least a diy product. Soda ash and RO?

The BRS recipe is based on my DIY, which uses baking soda (baked or not):

An Improved Do-it-Yourself Two-Part Calcium and Alkalinity Supplement System by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php

Travis Stewart · Mar 20, 2018

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
The BRS recipe is based on my DIY, which uses baking soda (baked or not):

An Improved Do-it-Yourself Two-Part Calcium and Alkalinity Supplement System by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php

Heat 2 1/4 cup in oven on 300 for an hour. Mix in 1 gallon RO and done!? Why did I ever buy it? Lol

Mike Reef Addict · Mar 20, 2018

Travis Stewart said:
Heat 2 1/4 cup in oven on 300 for an hour. Mix in 1 gallon RO and done!? Why did I ever buy it? Lol

TMYN lol I use recipie 2 and make a gallon of each for about $1.50 a gallon.

Travis Stewart · Mar 21, 2018

Mike Reef Addict said:
TMYN lol I use recipie 2 and make a gallon of each for about $1.50 a gallon.

Recipe two of the alk? I may go that route!

Travis Stewart · Mar 21, 2018

Mike Reef Addict said:
TMYN lol I use recipie 2 and make a gallon of each for about $1.50 a gallon.

Where do you find calcium chloride do hydrate?

Travis Stewart · Mar 21, 2018

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
The BRS recipe is based on my DIY, which uses baking soda (baked or not):

An Improved Do-it-Yourself Two-Part Calcium and Alkalinity Supplement System by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php

Thanks Randy. I feel like I am starting quantitative analysis all over again

Mike Reef Addict · Mar 21, 2018

Travis Stewart said:
Where do you find calcium chloride do hydrate?

Well my best buddy is a clearence isle shopper an he also makes some killer pickles so keeps an eye out for pickling spices, he'll shoot me a text hey I found pickle crisp $1.86 a jar... They have 15 how many you want?

Me: All of them! He got to the register and they were down to .84 cents!
He also keeps his eyes open for pickling lime (Mrs Wages) for my Kalkwasser.

Pickling seasons. Is long gone now though.

If you are in an area that gets a lot of snow youbcan use Prestone Driveway Heat or the safe paws stuff they sell at pet stores also (half price at my pet supplies plus)

You can also get downy flakes I think it is called at Homedepot but it isn't as concentrated and Randy's recipie calls for more I believe, you can check the recipe link it is all in there. If your tank(s) run a high Ph you'll want to run recipe 2. There is also a magnesium (part 3) recipe too you don't need as much of that one though. Do some googling for "Randy's two part recipie" an you will find a lot of articles written by the Doctor..

Hope this helps.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Mar 21, 2018

Travis Stewart said:
Heat 2 1/4 cup in oven on 300 for an hour. Mix in 1 gallon RO and done!? Why did I ever buy it? Lol

I don't know. lol

FWIW, some people find more baking is needed. Like a turkey, if you bake a lot of material can take a long time to reach the temp. Maybe use 400 deg F. It cannot be overbaked in a home oven.

Mike Reef Addict · Mar 21, 2018

Travis Stewart said:
Recipe two of the alk? I may go that route!

When using two part it is a balanced calcium alkalinity solution so both parts would be recipie #2 or recipe #1 which ever you decide is best. If you dose 40ml of calcium dose 40ml of alkalinity for either recipe, there is a chart to get an idea of a starting point to get an idea of how much to uses then adjust dosage accordingly.

Edit: here is the link with the chart I mentioned.
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php#15

Travis Stewart · Mar 21, 2018

Mike Reef Addict said:
When using two part it is a balanced calcium alkalinity solution so both parts would be recipie #2 or recipe #1 which ever you decide is best. If you dose 40ml of calcium dose 40ml of alkalinity for either recipe, there is a chart to get an idea of a starting point to get an idea of how much to uses then adjust dosage accordingly.

Edit: here is the link with the chart I mentioned.
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php#15

Well I was always taught to only dose what’s is needed and in past more alk is consumed than calcium in my tank, which wouldn’t be the same amounts...

Travis Stewart · Mar 21, 2018

Mike Reef Addict said:
When using two part it is a balanced calcium alkalinity solution so both parts would be recipie #2 or recipe #1 which ever you decide is best. If you dose 40ml of calcium dose 40ml of alkalinity for either recipe, there is a chart to get an idea of a starting point to get an idea of how much to uses then adjust dosage accordingly.

Edit: here is the link with the chart I mentioned.
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php#15

Well I know how and where to find baking soda for alk but having trouble finding where I can get calcium chloride for cal mixture

gfox · Mar 21, 2018

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
I don't know. lol

FWIW, some people find more baking is needed. Like a turkey, if you bake a lot of material can take a long time to reach the temp. Maybe use 400 deg F. It cannot be overbaked in a home oven.

How do you know it needs more baking?

Mike Reef Addict · Mar 21, 2018

gfox said:
How do you know it needs more baking?

He wrote the recipie?

Travis Stewart · Mar 21, 2018

Mike Reef Addict said:
He wrote the recipie?

Lol I think he’s asking how do you know IF it needs more baking lol

Mike Reef Addict · Mar 21, 2018

Travis Stewart said:
Lol I think he’s asking how do you know IF it needs more baking lol

Lol like Randy said larger mass takes more time/heat.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Mar 21, 2018

gfox said:
How do you know it needs more baking?

The best way is to weigh it, but the typical way is that you cannot dissolve it all since the unbaked material is less soluble in water.

Mike Reef Addict · Mar 21, 2018

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
The best way is to weigh it, but the typical way is that you cannot dissolve it all since the unbaked material is less soluble in water.

Before or after baking Randy?

Travis Stewart · Mar 21, 2018

Mike Reef Addict said:
Lol like Randy said larger mass takes more time/heat.

I read and understand his literature lol but other than it being less soluble is there a physical attribute associated with knowing if it needs more time?