Calcium chloride

[cpballer]

Reef Crest Bulk Calcium Chloride (3000 Gram)

Economical food grade calcium additive for reef aquariums.

www.jlaquatics.com

Can i use this for randys calcium part? How much of this to dissolve in 1 gallon? Thanks

 

[Greg P]

Yes you can use that. It's more potent than the Dowflake originally mentioned in Randy's 2-part recipe. IIRC, you need somewhere between 420 and 450 grams/gallon RO. I don't use it anymore as I found some other local bulk stuff, so I forget the correct amount.

Randy's recipe #1 states the Ca part is about 37,000ppm
Start with mixing just a bit less than 400 grams into a total of 3785mls RO. If you're not familiar, mix it into maybe 2 litres, then top up to the final 3785mls.
Next, take 1ml solution and mix with 99mls RO. Now test it with your Ca kit. It should be 370. If it's low, weigh and add more pellets to the 1g, dilute and test.

 

[cpballer]

I dont have a scale. What is it in cups? Thanks

 

[Greg P]

Can't say for sure as I don't have any of that brand to measure for you. A starting estimate is around 2 cups. 500g of Dowflake is said to be about 2-1/2 cups.
You can get a decent kitchen scale cheap enough.

cheap digital scale - Google Search

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

How do we know it has lower moisture than the Dowflake?

In the absence of any clear info on that, I'd just use either the weight or volume measure for my recipe.

 

[cpballer]

So 2 cups for 1 gallon? Thanks

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

So 2 cups for 1 gallon? Thanks

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

"
Recipe # 1, Part 1: The Calcium Part

Dissolve 500 grams (about 2 ½ cups) of calcium chloride dihydrate (such as Dowflake 77-80% calcium chloride or ESV calcium chloride; see below for substitutes and sources) in enough water to make 1 gallon of total volume. "

 

[Greg P]

How do we know it has lower moisture than the Dowflake?

In the absence of any clear info on that, I'd just use either the weight or volume measure for my recipe.

I've personally used this product and found it needed less than 450g to mix to 37,000ppm
So unless the LFS has changed vendors I stand by my initial mixing recommendation.
Besides, you can always add more pellets if it mixes low.

 

[Greg P]

The instructions are; 10.4g to 100gal for 10ppm
If I did the math correctly, that's 384.8g in 1gal for 37,000ppm

 

[Greg P]

So 2 cups for 1 gallon? Thanks

Based on my past experience with J&L's product, and the instructions on both the empty tub I have here at home and their website, I'd suggest you start with a little less than 2 cups and then test the mix. As I've stated, you can always add more pellets if it's weak.

 

[Reefinmike]

I dont have a scale. What is it in cups? Thanks

if you're mixing your own chemicals- BUY A SCALE. it's $20 and can save you a world of headaches. volumetric measurements of dry powder can be VERY inaccurate.

 

[Greg P]

I dont have a scale. What is it in cups? Thanks

If you do try their CC, please report back with your measurements and test results.
Both volume and weight would help this thread greatly.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I've personally used this product and found it needed less than 450g to mix to 37,000ppm
So unless the LFS has changed vendors I stand by my initial mixing recommendation.
Besides, you can always add more pellets if it mixes low.

That certainly could be. How did you measure it?

 

[Greg P]

That certainly could be. How did you measure it?

Mixing bowl on digital scale, zeroed then filled to desired grams.
Mixed in approx 2500mls RO, then into a total of 3785mls RO. Diluted 1:99 with 0 TDS RO to test.

Ignoring the tub recommendations, I went with your recipe #1 using 500g and holee crap the dilution test was in the high 400s/close to 500ppm
I tossed the mix and started much lower.

The product in question is of similar appearance and strength to the Oxy anhydrous stuff I've been using.

Just looked back through some records and 435g in 3785mls total gave me 405ppm. Pretty consistent even with a Salifert Ca kit. Back then I made a note to mix using 400g. This jives with the tub instructions, considering how not quite accurate the test kit can be.

 

[cpballer]

Sorry still new with this dosing. So if i mix 384.8grams of calcium chloride, this would be the recepi#1 in the calculator right?

 

[Greg P]

Sorry still new with this dosing. So if i mix 384.8grams of calcium chloride, this would be the recepi#1 in the calculator right?

Should be, if J&L is using the same product I bought 4 years ago. The tub still has the same instructions.
I don't think you need to be that precise though. 400 grams should be 2 cups and if math serves should yield 38,460ppm vs Randy's 37,000ppm.
If you don't buy a scale, try removing 3 teaspoons from the second cup before mixing. Then use my above recommended test. This should in theory get you to 370ppm with the dilution test.
Doing this will allow you to use the common calculators for dosing Randy's 2-part recipe #1

 

[cpballer]

Thank you. J and l recommended tondose the same volume of alk and cal. Is this true?

 

[Greg P]

Thank you. J and l recommended tondose the same volume of alk and cal. Is this true?

Dosing yes. Tweaking the DT or a salt mix - use just what you need of either.
Don't forget an appropriate level of Mag - say 1280-1350.
I prefer 1350 as it leaves wiggle room in case you don't test and it drops.

Have you read Randy's method?
An Improved Do-it-Yourself Two-Part
Calcium and Alkalinity Supplement System