Testing the most common Alkalinity supplement options with certified lab grade ICP-MS testing | BRSt

[randyBRS]

Hey guys!

We’re back with our in-depth BRStv Investigates testing and this week, we kick off some VERY interesting tests where we put USP and Pharma grade chemicals up against common chemicals used in our hobby for supplementing things like Alkalinty, Calcium and Magnesium! This week we start with the Alkalinity tests and the results are pretty surprising.

 

[Cory]

Really great thanks for putting in the time and money!

 

[Ryanbrs Verified Sponsor]

Really great thanks for putting in the time and money!

This kind of thing is really fun for the team to discuss and explore so thanks for letting us

 

[chipmunkofdoom2]

Really great video, thanks BRS. I really respect that you compared your pharma additives to off-the-shelf products and showed them to be of similar quality (though obviously the BRS pharma was a bit better). I also respect that you did the math and showed that the baking soda, while not the same purity, ends up costing less. I think this says a lot about the honesty and integrity of the folks over at BRS.

Also props to Brightwell for putting their products out there for scruitiny. I hadn't considered using their products before, but I might have to give them another look in the future.

 

[SharkLaser]

Great video! The results are not overly surprising so far though. If I may:
- One hobby product turned out to be a straight repackaging of food grade baking soda.
- Pharmaceutical grade chemical performed slightly better than the food grade one.
- Other hobby products included additives to differentiate themselves from baking soda.
- Washing soda is bad.

Looking forward to Mg and Ca! Now those should be interesting. Especially, if you test driveway heat and roadrunner ice melts

Personally, baked baking soda is what I've been using for years. To offset the cost of baking it, I do a large batch once a year in the winter, so that the energy used by my gas oven goes straight to heating the house.

The issue here is that I already have the measuring/mixing system established. I know exactly how many grams of baking soda, which I baked for exactly so many hours, to mix with the exact amount of water. And then use the solution in a pre-programmed doser to maintain the alkalinity level at a predictable rate. Switching to a new product triggers a new learning cycle

 

[User1]

@Ryanbrs - thanks for the time and resources involved. I've been enjoying the videos and some of you and your teams efforts have directly led to the sale of a product. It isn't about the sale but at least you know the information is useful on many fronts. I am really interested to hear if Brightwell has any follow up questions or answers based on the results. Thanks again and have a great weekend!

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Just finished watching and this is going to be a great series! Great first video and thank you for taking the time and spending all that money to really dig in and get some real tangible results for us hobbyists. I would say this video was Gold but is more like 2oK! YIKES!

 

[chefjpaul]

Awesome Ryan.

Thanks.

 

[Rick Mathew]

Awesome job...appreciate all your efforts

 

[7hogwarts]

Wow! That is great info. I truly appreciate all your work. And I appreciate it also with my dollars spent at BRS.
Will you ever run the same tests again on a different lot number to show the consistency of the products?

 

[tiggs]

@Ryanbrs - thanks for the time and resources involved. I've been enjoying the videos and some of you and your teams efforts have directly led to the sale of a product. It isn't about the sale but at least you know the information is useful on many fronts. I am really interested to hear if Brightwell has any follow up questions or answers based on the results. Thanks again and have a great weekend!

I think the important thing to keep in mind with the Brightwell stuff is that it's not strictly an alk supplement like the others. It's the alk piece of their 2 part system, but they include other ingredients aside from the pure alk source. The calcium part of their 2 part is similar in the respect that it includes other things (trace elements, potassium, etc) as well. How Brightwell would compare to the others if they had a pure alk component is something we'll probably never know, but I give them credit for putting their name out there.

 

[dragon99]

Amazing that BRS is willing to invest that kind of money in this series. The time is one thing, because obviously you enjoy doing it.

Can't wait to see the rest!

PS. doesn't convince me to give up kalk. Have to see what that brings!

 

[Sleepydoc]

Amazing that BRS is willing to invest that kind of money in this series. The time is one thing, because obviously you enjoy doing it.

Can't wait to see the rest!

PS. doesn't convince me to give up kalk. Have to see what that brings!

My thoughts exactly. I'll add any voice to the people saying thank you for both the time and the money you invested in this!

I've thought about using baking soda, but came to the same conclusion that Ryan did - the time and effort involved don't justify the relatively small cost savings for me.

 

[ZoWhat]

Great video. Ryan's awesome and the work BRS does in helping us.

Question: I use Fritz RPM salt mix and with a 10% weekly WC my Alk stay at 9-10dKH. Would dosing BRS Soda Ash only shoot my Alk to 12-14? Then I got an Alk Spike to deal with?

 

[madweazl]

Great video. Ryan's awesome and the work BRS does in helping us.

Question: I use Fritz RPM salt mix and with a 10% weekly WC my Alk stay at 9-10dKH. Would dosing BRS Soda Ash only shoot my Alk to 12-14? Then I got an Alk Spike to deal with?

Regardless of brand, dosing any alkalinity supplement to your tank will increase your dKh. If you're able to maintain 9-10dKh through water changes and that is your desired target, do not dose alkalinity. If you want it higher (no particularly good to do so), dosing would be appropriate.

 

[Ryanbrs Verified Sponsor]

Amazing that BRS is willing to invest that kind of money in this series. The time is one thing, because obviously you enjoy doing it.

Can't wait to see the rest!

PS. doesn't convince me to give up kalk. Have to see what that brings!

The kalk one will be very interesting. I am rather sure it is going to come down to a discussion based on "does it really need to be that pure."