Snow Joe Melt Calcium Chloride

Nick James · Apr 4, 2018

I was curious if this brand of ice melt was suitable for your diy calcium recipe? Here is a link to the msds: https://snowjoe.blob.core.windows.net/images/MELT-Calcium Chloride SDS-R2.pdf

It says enhanced with extenders but the only ingredient listed is calcium chloride. Thanks in advance for your input!

Randy Holmes-Farley · Apr 4, 2018

I can’t tell if it is adequately pure or not.

Nick James · Apr 4, 2018

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
I can’t tell if it is adequately pure or not.

Thanks for the prompt response. I'll pass. It was on clearance locally so i was curious.

Nick James · Apr 4, 2018

@Randy Holmes-Farley I found this from the same company.. https://snowjoe.blob.core.windows.net/images/MELT-Calcium Chloride Pellets SDS-R2.pdf

Randy Holmes-Farley · Apr 5, 2018

Nick James said:
@Randy Holmes-Farley I found this from the same company.. https://snowjoe.blob.core.windows.net/images/MELT-Calcium Chloride Pellets SDS-R2.pdf

Still not enough to be confident. For Dowflake, I tested a whole bunch of impurities like in a Triton ICP test. Unless you know people using this brand already, or know that it is sourced from Dow, I'd look for something else.

Nick James · Apr 7, 2018

I'm just going to buy from reefsupplies. Too important to mess around with unknowns.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Apr 8, 2018

Sounds good.

Happy Reefing.

novadan67 · Apr 10, 2018

Is there a list of known safe bands anywhere? It would be good to know what options others have use successfully.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Apr 10, 2018

novadan67 said:
Is there a list of known safe bands anywhere? It would be good to know what options others have use successfully.

Many fewer people use it these days since the readily availability from places like BRS, Dr. F&S, and Amazon, but Dowflake, Prestone Driveway heat, and Leslies Pool Supply have all been used by folks.

novadan67 · Apr 10, 2018

Thanks Randy. I've been using BRS, but 2 things are causing me to look for alternative sources. First, I'm upgrading to a 210 gallon tank right now, so I'll be using quite a bit more. Second, I don't like how BRS increased their pricing for "higher purity". That was totally unnecessary and I'm thinking it may come back to bite them. I bought a 5g bucket of Magnesium Chloride when they clearanced the old product, but I think it'll be my last purchase - should last me a while.

I can get Prestone Driveway Heat cheaply at my local Walmart and Arm & Hammer at Costco, so I think that's the way I'll go.

KMench · May 14, 2018

I’ve found Home Depot stocks Pool Time Total Alkalinity Increaser which is 100% sodium carbonate as well as calcium harness increaser which is 100% calcium chloride. They’ve worked well for me and are still cheap for me compared to BRS or other additives.

b4tn · Sep 26, 2018

I have been looking into this also. I was dosing BRS 2 part before the price raise but was having problems keeping them balanced so switched to Kalkwaseer thinking it would be cheaper and easier. While my levels are have been solid and balanced for a couple weeks now I am finding that price wise its not going to be much different and I am going through a gallon every couple days of Kalk. If My calculations are correct if I went back to 2 part (with my new understanding now that I have been researching into the subject) I would use approximately 1 gallon every 3 months of two part dosing 35-40 ml a day. So now I am considering going back to 2 part lol.

I stumbled on Randy's article and the idea of getting a 50lb bag of dowflake and a 13 lb bag of baking soda is awesome. It would last forever lol. But as it turns out the dowflake is no longer available and all I can find that is easily accessible is the prestone driveway heat which may or may not have changed their formula. I found the data sheet and it says that exact percentages are hidden to protect trade secrets lol. That being said.. As much as I love DIY solutions that stick it to the corporations and do the same thing for a fraction of the price I think in this case I am going to stay on the safe side and get the BRS pharma solutions. Its $30 for a 3 month supply or $99 for a 21 month supply.

CoralCollectors805 · Jan 15, 2019

@Randy Holmes-Farley , Hello... Do you know if Vaporize Ice Melter is a safe DIY Calcium to use? https://www.homedepot.com/p/50-lb-Calcium-Flake-Ice-Melt-Bag-VP-CF50BG/205668256 ,...It says 100% Calcium Chloride.
I have a 1000 gallon heavy sps system and a reef aquarium service that I'm trying to find the most affordable Calcium for. If not safe... what do you think is the best bulk buy these days?
-Jason with Coral Collectors

CoralCollectors805 · Jan 15, 2019

@Randy Holmes-Farley , Hello, do you know if Vaporize Ice Melter is a safe DIY Calcium to use? https://www.homedepot.com/p/50-lb-Calcium-Flake-Ice-Melt-Bag-VP-CF50BG/205668256 ,it says 100% calcium chloride flake

I have a 1000 gal heavy sps system that blows though calcium and a reef aquarium service,.. so if that's not a good option what is the most affordable best bulk buy on Ca? Thanks for any input!

savoyard · Oct 31, 2019

CoralCollectors805 said:
@Randy Holmes-Farley , Hello, do you know if Vaporize Ice Melter is a safe DIY Calcium to use? https://www.homedepot.com/p/50-lb-Calcium-Flake-Ice-Melt-Bag-VP-CF50BG/205668256 ,it says 100% calcium chloride flake

I have a 1000 gal heavy sps system that blows though calcium and a reef aquarium service,.. so if that's not a good option what is the most affordable best bulk buy on Ca? Thanks for any input!

Any follow up? Did you try this?