Aquatic alchemy: Have you done any DIY chemistry for your reef?

[Peace River]

Aquatic alchemy: Have you done any DIY chemistry for your reef?

There are a wide range of pre-packaged chemical additives available for reef tanks, but there is also the option for DIY chemistry. Sometimes reef keepers turn to DIY chemistry because of the lack of the specific product, sometimes because of cost, and sometimes because of the desire to experiment. This approach to chemistry may be for more common items like DIY two-part or DIY salinity calibration or for more unique items like DIY additives of boron, molybdenum, cobalt, and zinc. Have you done any DIY chemistry for your reef? Please tell us about your experience with DIY chemistry for your reef in the discussion thread that follows.

Pro Tip: Check out the R2R DIY chemistry archive for a lot of information on DIY additives and more. The R2R reef chemistry section is a great place to learn and ask questions from some of the top experts in the field!

Photo by @Ancient Mariner


This QOTD is sponsored by: www.tckcorals.com

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I have not attempted any DIY Chemistry solutions just yet, but I'm sure in the future I will

 

[Nano_Man]

I follow Randy chemistry methods he knows his stuff

 

[vetteguy53081]

Other than normal dosing and addition of aminos and trace elements I dose as needed especially after receiving ICP test results

 

[threebuoys]

I follow Randy's formulas and recommendations, nobody else's!

 

[shakacuz]

i dose as necessary with the instructions of people like @Randy Holmes-Farley and @PSXerholic, or by the manufacturers directions.

 

[MoshJosh]

I counted kalk as DIY. . . So voted yes

 

[Tavero]

I have a chemistry education background, so I would be embarrassed at myself if i didn't diy all of my chemical solutions.

 

[kenchilada]

I use this formula all the time:

(glass box) + $$$ =

 

[vabben]

I dose DIY Coral Snow once a week on my systems. Just some Calcium Carbonate and RODI water.

 

[KrisReef]

Can’t resist. These are a few things I have used, but generally I employ Arm&Hammer baking soda for alk bumps in nsw

 

[Sump Crab]

I don’t dose anything so I selected “other”

 

[BillFish Coral Lover]

I have not attempted any DIY Chemistry solutions just yet, but I'm sure in the future I will

Right there with you. Scared, though.

I counted kalk as DIY. . . So voted yes

My next venture.

I use this formula all the time:

(glass box) + $$$ =

I do this one, too! I can only hope to turn the sum into .

 

[hexcolor reef]

Aquatic alchemy: Have you done any DIY chemistry for your reef?

There are a wide range of pre-packaged chemical additives available for reef tanks, but there is also the option for DIY chemistry. Sometimes reef keepers turn to DIY chemistry because of the lack of the specific product, sometimes because of cost, and sometimes because of the desire to experiment. This approach to chemistry may be for more common items like DIY two-part or DIY salinity calibration or for more unique items like DIY additives of boron, molybdenum, cobalt, and zinc. Have you done any DIY chemistry for your reef? Please tell us about your experience with DIY chemistry for your reef in the discussion thread that follows.

Pro Tip: Check out the R2R DIY chemistry archive for a lot of information on DIY additives and more. The R2R reef chemistry section is a great place to learn and ask questions from some of the top experts in the field!

Photo by @Ancient Mariner


This QOTD is sponsored by: www.tckcorals.com

RedSea and nothing else

 

[Borat]

I like toxic chemicals experimentations!

 

[cwerner]

I'd trust Randy more than I would most actual brands, but I don't dose too much besides carbon at this point.

 

[Treefer32]

I just do baked baking soda as my DIY chemistry. It's so dirt cheap how could I not. $13 lasts me a year of ph raising alkalinity in my 340 gallon display. Probably the cheapest part of the hobby! Cheaper than 0 water changes, because i have to buy trace elements. I buy the BRS CaCl, MaCl2, and MGSO4. They're cheap enough and last me long enough, that I see no need to do my own. I use this chemical Formula to help make Chemistry decisions:

T = My Time
R = Risk of Harm to me or aquarium inhabitants
$ = Cost of Money
OC = Opportunity Cost of my Time (could I be doing something more important like water changes to accomplish the same thing, or cleaning pumps, or other much needed maintenance)
S = $ Savings

If T + 2R + $ + OC = S Then it's probably something I should spend time experimenting on!

 

[TWYOUNG]

I use the following charts to make Phosphate, Nitrate and Calcium supplements for a fraction of the cost of premade products.

 

[acropora4u]

Can’t resist. These are a few things I have used, but generally I employ Arm&Hammer baking soda for alk bumps in nsw

same here