What are you using for Calcium?

Daimyo68 · Dec 11, 2013

I've been using BRS since moving to FL, but wanted an alternative to ordering online. When I lived back up north in NY, it was easy to get Prestone Driveway Heat, and exteremely inexpensive to buy at roughly $20 for 50lbs.

Now since living here in FL, I've had to go to BRS for my Calcium. Obviously, we have no need for "ice melt" down here. So in my search for an alternative, I found Tetra Flake >77%, which I believe is the same as in Randy's original 2 part. The Tetra Flake does however, not contain Bromide due to the way it is processed.

Is anyone using this:

Bow · Dec 11, 2013

Can you order the ice melt from hd or lowes and have delivered?

Daimyo68 · Dec 11, 2013

Bow said:
Can you order the ice melt from hd or lowes and have delivered?

Yes, but I believe they will charge me shipping since I will only be buying 1 bag, which would make it more expensive.
I did try on HD's website, but it always shows as "not available for pickup", so I'm not so sure that HD would ship.

The above Tetra Flake can be had for $28 out the door, and would last me nearly 2 years.

Bow · Dec 11, 2013

Lol ok just a thought.

Bow · Dec 11, 2013

Think they ship free to a store though.

revhtree · Dec 11, 2013

I'm using BRS but am interested in seeing what others say about this.

redfishbluefish · Dec 11, 2013

I would not use this product. Their percent Calcium Chloride is off. Even if this is the hydrated form, 77% is too low.

beaslbob · Dec 11, 2013

I got (years ago):

dow flake 50 pound bag $22. 78-81% (dihydrous)

and later cal-chlor 25 pound bag $7 anhydrous (92-96%)

From local redimix companies. Calcium chloride is used to speed up hydration of concrete in winter.

I now get tetra calcium chloride dyhidrous for $25 a 50 pound bag and magnesium chloride (hexahydrous) 50 pound bag for $30 or so. Both from a local industrial chemical supply firm. No shipping charges.

Daimyo68 · Dec 11, 2013

redfishbluefish said:
I would not use this product. Their percent Calcium Chloride is off. Even if this is the hydrated form, 77% is too low.

How is the percentage any different from the original Dowflake in Randy's recipe? Dowflake was 77-80%, Tetra is 77% minimum. If they were anhydrous, then the percentages would be closer to or better than 90%.

beaslbob said:
I got (years ago):

dow flake 50 pound bag $22. 78-81% (dihydrous)

and later cal-chlor 25 pound bag $7 anhydrous (92-96%)

From local redimix companies. Calcium chloride is used to speed up hydration of concrete in winter.

I now get tetra calcium chloride dyhidrous for $25 a 50 pound bag and magnesium chloride (hexahydrous) 50 pound bag for $30 or so. Both from a local industrial chemical supply firm. No shipping charges.

So you are using the Tetra without issue?

beaslbob · Dec 11, 2013

Daimyo68 said:
How is the percentage any different from the original Dowflake in Randy's recipe? Dowflake was 77-80%, Tetra is 77% minimum. If they were anhydrous, then the percentages would be closer to or better than 90%.

So you are using the Tetra without issue?

I was. and gave it away at local club meetings as well. I also checked the assay and it seemed to be fine.

noone reported any problems.

beaslbob · Dec 11, 2013

I took the tank down a few years back when we moved into our new house.

aslmx · Dec 12, 2013

Daimyo68 said:
Yes, but I believe they will charge me shipping since I will only be buying 1 bag, which would make it more expensive.
I did try on HD's website, but it always shows as "not available for pickup", so I'm not so sure that HD would ship.

The above Tetra Flake can be had for $28 out the door, and would last me nearly 2 years.

have it shipped to the store and they won't charge you or go to autozone and they will order driveway heat for you.

beaslbob · Dec 14, 2013

Daimyo68 said:
How is the percentage any different from the original Dowflake in Randy's recipe? Dowflake was 77-80%, Tetra is 77% minimum. If they were anhydrous, then the percentages would be closer to or better than 90%.

So you are using the Tetra without issue?

At home now I finally saw the picture of the tetra bag. Yes it is the same stuff.

Daimyo68 · Dec 14, 2013

beaslbob said:
At home now I finally saw the picture of the tetra bag. Yes it is the same stuff.

Appreciate your replies. The guy at Leslie's printed the wrong msds the first time around. It was from Chem One Ltd, and was 94%.

I'm going to go by there Monday and see if they have that in stock. If not, I will use the Tetra I currently have.

I've seen plenty of posts with ppl using this product in the past, including Sanjay, so I'm sure I will not have any issues either way.