Can AFR powder be mixed with warm water without creating problems?

[Euphylliaphyle]

It takes seemingly forever to dissolve 80g of AFR powder into 450 ml of RO/DI at room temperature. Is it okay to heat the solution being mixed to say 140°F (60°C) while mixing?

 

[KrisReef]

Easy to test.

Please report back-

Bump! Any body done this?

 

[Fish Fan]

Just as another option, you can get a magnetic stirrer (with or without heat) that will do the mixing for you:

Inexpensive magnetic stirrer on Amazon

 

[Evil1]

Just as another option, you can get a magnetic stirrer (with or without heat) that will do the mixing for you:

Inexpensive magnetic stirrer on Amazon

That’s what I use and never had any problems.

 

[exnisstech]

I always warm it and have been for a few years.

PS. I heat to around 80 degrees. If I leave it at basement temps it can sit on a stirrer for an hour and not fully dissolve. Occasionally I'll have to add a little more water. I have no idea why since I use the same beaker and weigh AFR but it's happens once every few batches.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Yes, you can warm if, if you find that helps. Calcium formate is only very slightly more soluble at boiling than at freezing, but it may get to its solubility limit faster when warmer.

That said, agitation extent will likely speed it more then temperature.

 

[Euphylliaphyle]

Just as another option, you can get a magnetic stirrer (with or without heat) that will do the mixing for you:

Inexpensive magnetic stirrer on Amazon

Thank you. Getting one!

 

[Euphylliaphyle]

Yes, you can warm if, if you find that helps. Calcium formate is only very slightly more soluble at boiling than at freezing, but it may get to its solubility limit faster when warmer.

That said, agitation extent will likely speed it more then temperature.

Thank you, Randy. That's very helpful. I'm getting a magnetic stirrer.

 

[Euphylliaphyle]

Thank you, everyone, for your replies!

 

[KrisReef]

Thank you, everyone, for your replies!

Nice! Update the post when you get more “agitated!” We always like a lively discussion and your results will be informative.

 

[exnisstech]

Thank you, Randy. That's very helpful. I'm getting a magnetic stirrer.

I use This stirrer . It's cheap and doesn't heat but I fill a mixing bowl with hot tap water and set the beaker in with rodi and by the time I'm done weighing the AFR it's usually warm enough. This is the beaker I use .

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I have a magnetic stirrer inside the fridge I use to stir and dose phyto, and when making a batch of AFR, I move the phyto off the stirrer and put a glass container of AFR solids and water onto it for a while.

 

[Euphylliaphyle]

I have a magnetic stirrer inside the fridge I use to stir and dose phyto, and when making a batch of AFR, I move the phyto off the stirrer and put a glass container of AFR solids and water onto it for a while.

Thanks. I saw your phyto setup in your Tank & Learn thread. I'm thinking about getting a double stirrer so I can swirl phyto and trace (Brightwell's Replenish) simultaneously inside a dorm fridge for vacation dosing. The trace doesn't need the cold, but does need mixing, and I reckon the cold won't hurt it. I can certainly use the stirrer for that and AFR mixing, since I won't be mixing AFR on vacation!