Looking for easiest DIY 2 part recipe!

[Mattl22]

Anyone here make there own 2 part??
Is it too risky with sps???
Is the savings significant enough to justify not just buying it from brs??
Would love to hear from someone who's been using is for long time successfully or horror stories!!

 

[Tonyscoots84]

Here you go

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php/

 

[Mattl22]

Thanks tony I saw that bit confusing a bunch of different recipes was looking for some one with fist had exp. making DIY 2 part which recipe did they use was it easy / worth their time or just eaiser to buy!

I use about $40 worth 2 part every 5-6 weeks if I could have a yrs worth for $100 DIY I think it's worth ......

 

[Tonyscoots84]

matt its not really confusing at all. if you have high ph then you use one of em vs the other. Just got to acquire the material needed and you can save yourself some money....

 

[Mattl22]

Tony do u do this?

 

[vio]

Anyone here make there own 2 part??
Is it too risky with sps???
Is the savings significant enough to justify not just buying it from brs??
Would love to hear from someone who's been using is for long time successfully or horror stories!!

i use this (8 -9 years, never problem.)

http://grilloservices.com/grillo-blog/peladow-calcium-chloride-ice-melt-50lbs-bags-ct/

Also Baking soda (bake i oven for 1 hour at 350-375)
Also Epson Salt ( CVS) 50% Mag. Chloride 50% for Magnesium.
Today i just stop my Calcium Reactor, i use to dose + Calcium Reactor, now i got only Vertex Libra dosing pump , i hate to add more CO2 in my tank also not sure , what i melt (A.R.M. Aragonite) . http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/chemistry/159539-question-boomer-about-calcium-reactor-po4.html

 

[Tonyscoots84]

yes i used to when i lived home with the parents, but being married with all the responsibilities that are involved and owning a home i decided not worth my time and I just buy brs pre packed packages that you just dump in a 1 gallon jug (separately). I might reconsider soon since my corals are uptaking alot and its gonna cost me alot as well pretty soon.

 

[Mattl22]

Vio how do u prepare the calcium chloride?

 

[TonyHNY]

If you are uncomfortable using them, just try using stuff from bulk reef supply. They seem to last me quite long..... For me, that was like a few years ago, now I use Baking Soda and Calcium chloride (Heat by Prestone). For either, I mixed 2 cups per gal and been using 1 ml/gal tank every other day.


When you mix your own stuff, you have to initially test the ALk and Calcium to create your own dosing schedule.

 

[Mattl22]

Tony r u saying every batch comes out with different strength?

 

[Tonyscoots84]

from brs? if so i say there is no difference in batches

 

[vio]

Vio how do u prepare the calcium chloride?

I mix 2 coffee cup of Calcium Chloride in one Gallon RO/DI, i filter than by using .....http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fish-Tank-Aquarium-Bio-chemical-Cotton-Fiber-Filter-Sponge-/171207998682 dosing 45 ml /day on 150 Gal.

 

[TonyHNY]

no...not the solution mixture but your livestock load can change that. There may be more demand when you start having hard algae growing or more SPS/clams...

 

[Arati]

notg a diy but I use brightwell alk 8.3 to lock in my ph and alk. it is an amazing product.

brs 2 part for cal and mag. everything is super stable.

 

[Mattl22]

Vio

The calcium chloride just dissolves easy in a gallon of water?
Can u match the alk so it's an even 2 part like the one they sell?
I use esv I guess I'm asking is it the same thing? Or more potent etc need more alk than cal etc

If its 2 cups calcium chloride is it the same for baking soda ?

Vio u keep sps using this?

 

[Lostinthedark]

I've been using Baking soda and Prestone heat for a couple of years now. I have a mixed reef and never had any ill effects. I mix 1 cup into 1 gallon for the baking soda and 2 cups of Heat per gallon and it gets me pretty close to the BRS calculator. During the winter months I bake the baking soda to help keep my pH up when the windows are closed. During the summer I don't need to. I recently went from manual dosing to a dosing pump and it makes life a lot easier and keeps my levels consistent.

 

[Mattl22]

Lost in the dark thanks for ur reply I'm leaning more towards trying it!!

 

[vio]

Vio

The calcium chloride just dissolves easy in a gallon of water?
Can u match the alk so it's an even 2 part like the one they sell?
I use esv I guess I'm asking is it the same thing? Or more potent etc need more alk than cal etc

If its 2 cups calcium chloride is it the same for baking soda ?

Vio u keep sps using this?

Yes, most SPS, to make Cal. Mg. Alk. i use 5 Gal. bucket (easy to mix. by using small pump)
About Alk, the one they sell ( i never buy) i am sure u can match, u have to dilute, to find in Hanna scale or what test u use.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php/

 

[Bogie]

I also make my own 2 part never had any problems with corals. But For some reason the baking soda will recrystallize 2-3 weeks after I make the alk. Does that happen to anyone? Is it normal?

 

[vio]

Not here, this is C/P from link i give to matt .............." I prefer to use baked baking soda rather than washing soda in this recipe as baking soda from a grocery store is always food grade, while washing soda may not have the same purity requirements. Arm & Hammer brand is a fine choice. Be sure to NOT use baking powder. Baking powder is a different material that often has phosphate as a main ingredient."

I use RO/DI water (1 gal. and two coffee cups of baking soda, after i bake) mix on 5 gal. bucket, using one pump.


http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php/