Randy's 2 part recipe

[primo21]

@Randy Holmes-Farley I mixed up your recipe #1 calcium part using Prestone Driveway Heat and the mixture has a yellow/brown tint to it. Wondering if that is normal or if there is something in there that shouldn't be. In other words, should the calcium mix be clear? The alk part using baked baking soda is clear so i don't think its the water. Thanks.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

That is a common result for the Prestone product, IIRC. Probably some iron in it, but I’m not sure.

 

[primo21]

That is a common result for the Prestone product, IIRC. Probably some iron in it, but I’m not sure.

@Randy Holmes-Farley safe to use?? and i appreciate the reply.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

@Randy Holmes-Farley safe to use?? and i appreciate the reply.

Many people have seemingly used it OK.

 

[Tigweldpro]

@Randy Holmes-Farley The "An Improved Do-it-Yourself Two-Part Calcium and Alkalinity Supplement System" Article was written some 12 years ago what would we need to do to get a newer and even more improved 2 part DIY recipe from you?

It seems like word on the street is dow flake is no longer suitable for aquarium use. There a lot of new brands of anhydrous "de icer" or humidity absorbing calcium chloride products that have came out but nothing to show if they are suitable for aquarium use.

I know you have already put your time in but...... come on pull the goggles out for us

 

[Tigweldpro]

@Randy Holmes-Farley

So I decided to just go for it and do a trial on some local ice melter everything seems to be doing good so far.
For the Alk part of your recipe you are giving a weight(594g) for baking soda before it is baked. mine lost 20g after baking but depending on moisture level this could change, what weight of baked baking soda should I be using?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

@Randy Holmes-Farley

So I decided to just go for it and do a trial on some local ice melter everything seems to be doing good so far.
For the Alk part of your recipe you are giving a weight(594g) for baking soda before it is baked. mine lost 20g after baking but depending on moisture level this could change, what weight of baked baking soda should I be using?

It should be a lot more loss, down to about 375 g.

 

[Tigweldpro]

It should be a lot more loss, down to about 375 g.

The arm & hammer baking soda I used came in a multi pack shrink wrapped together so I assume it had very little moisture in it.
But for the future I should be using 375g of baked baking soda? For the Cal part should I be using 400g of baked anhydrous calcium chloride?

I started doing 30ml of each part per day and my alk went up 1dkh, I lowered to 20ml per day and will re test in a few days. seems like the alk part is potent.