DIY Balling Method Recipe

[Miami Reef]

The Balling DIY supplement recipe utilize a 1:1:1 dosing ratio to maintain proper alkalinity. For instance, if you require 50 mL of the alkalinity solution, you should also add 50 mL of Calcium and Balling.

Alkalinity (Choose One) :​

Option 1: Soda Ash

Add 375 g soda ash to enough RO/DI to make a total volume of a gallon or use the single-use Bulk Reef Supply Soda Ash.

* You can make soda ash at home from baking soda: Spread 594 grams (approximately two ¼ cups) of Baking Soda on a baking tray. Heat in an oven at 300°F for one hour. This process drives off water and carbon dioxide; overheating is not a concern. Dissolve the resulting solid in enough water, which will have the same concentration needed..
Source


Option 2: Sodium Hydroxide (Lye)

Add 283 grams of food-grade sodium hydroxide to enough RO/DI to make a total volume of 1 gallon. It will get quite warm. Make sure it doesn't soften your container. This solution will contain about 1,900 meq/L of alkalinity (5,300 dKH). There is no alkalinity additive that has a greater pH boost than hydroxides.

Hydroxide is caustic. Be cautious during usage. Keep out of reach of children.
Source

*You can add Tropic Marin A- Trace Elements to the Alkalinity part. 80 mL (low demand), 160 mL (medium demand), or 330 mL (high demand) to the alk part.

Calcium:​

Dissolve 500 grams (about 2 ½ cups) of calcium chloride dihydrate in enough RO/DI to make a total volume of 1 gallon. Bulk Reef Supplies sells single use one gallon calcium chloride mixes. That is the correct concentration for this recipe. The calcium solution contains about 37,000 ppm calcium.
Source

Note: If you use an anhydrous or monohydrate calcium chloride (such as Dow Mini-Pellets, Kent's Turbo Calcium, Prestone Driveway Heat or Peladow Calcium Chloride), then you should use about 20% (1/5) less solid calcium chloride by volume to make the recipe. Note that the solution will get quite hot when dissolving anhydrous calcium chloride. See the section on substitutions for further information.
Source

*You can add Tropic Marin K+ Trace Elements to the Calcium part. 80 mL (low demand), 160 mL (medium demand), or 330 mL (high demand system).

Balling Method (Choose One) : ​

Option 1: Tropic Marin Balling Part C

Dissolve 182 grams (about seven scoops) in enough RO/DI or purified water to make one gallon total volume.

(Tropic Marin’s instructions were meant for their additive system, which is 50% weaker. I’ve appropriately doubled the required amount to equal 1:1:1 dosing).

Option 2: Aquaforest Mineral Salt

Dissolve 189 grams in enough RO/DI or purified water to make one gallon total volume.

*Aquaforest’s instructions are for solutions 50% weaker, so I’ve appropriately doubled it to equal 1:1:1 dosing.

Magnesium:​

Dissolve 7¼ cups (1,285g) of magnesium chloride hexahydrate and 3/4 cups (128g) of Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate heptahydrate) in enough water to make one gallon. You can also purchase the Bulk Reef Supply general adjustment magnesium mix. It has the same ratio.

Add 203 mL of this magnesium mix into the Balling Part to maintain magnesium levels. It can also be added separately, if desired.

*We must supplement the extra magnesium because The Balling Method only has enough to offset ionic imbalance, not consumption. The 10:1 is the chloride-to-sulfate ratio for this recipe.

If anyone has further questions, please feel free to ask in this thread.

 

[mikst]

The Balling DIY supplement recipe utilize a 1:1:1 dosing ratio to maintain proper alkalinity. For instance, if you require 50 mL of the alkalinity solution, you should also add 50 mL of Calcium and Balling.

Alkalinity (Choose One) :​

Option 1: Converting Baking Soda (Sodium bicarbonate) into Soda Ash (Sodium carbonate) at home:

Spread 594 grams (approximately two ¼ cups) of Baking Soda on a baking tray. Heat in an oven at 300°F for one hour. This process drives off water and carbon dioxide; overheating is not a concern. Dissolve the resulting solid in enough water to make 1 gallon total of Soda Ash.
Source


If you purchased pre-made Soda Ash, it is 375g per gallon.


Option 2: Sodium Hydroxide (Lye)


Add 283 grams of food-grade sodium hydroxide to 1 gallon of fresh water. It will get quite warm. Make sure it doesn't soften your container. This solution will contain about 1,900 meq/L of alkalinity (5,300 dKH). There is no alkalinity additive that has a greater pH boost than hydroxides.


BE CAREFUL WITH THIS SOLUTION: IT HAS A pH ABOVE 14. Do not get it in your eyes or on your skin. Keep all reef chemicals, especially this alk part, in a way that children or pets cannot access them.
Source

Calcium:​

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. You can dissolve it in about ½ gallon of water, and then pour that into the 1 gallon container and fill it to the top with more freshwater. This solution has about 37,000 ppm calcium.
Source


Note: If you use an anhydrous or monohydrate calcium chloride (such as Dow Mini-Pellets, Kent's Turbo Calcium, Prestone Driveway Heat or Peladow Calcium Chloride), then you should use about 20% (1/5) less solid calcium chloride by volume to make the recipe. Note that the solution will get quite hot when dissolving anhydrous calcium chloride. See the section on substitutions for further information.
Source

Balling Method (Choose One) : ​

Option 1: Tropic Marin Balling Part C

Dissolve 182 grams (about seven scoops) in enough RO/DI or purified water to make one gallon total volume.


Tropic Marin’s instructions are for concentrations 50% weaker, so I’ve appropriately doubled it to equal 1:1:1 dosing.



Option 2: Aquaforest Mineral Salt

Dissolve 189 grams in enough RO/DI or purified water to make one gallon total volume.

Aquaforest’s instructions are for solutions 50% weaker, so I’ve appropriately doubled it to equal 1:1:1 dosing.

Magnesium 10:1 Ratio (Choose One) :​

Option 1: Using Epsom Salt


Dissolve 3/4 cups of Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate heptahydrate) and 7¼ cups (1,285g) of magnesium chloride hexahydrate in enough water to make one gallon.


Option 2: Using BRS Magnesium Sulfate

Mix 7¼ cups (1,285 grams) of Magnesium chloride hexahydrate and 1/2 cup (124 grams) of BRS Magnesium Sulfate to create one gallon.

Note: The only difference between the Magnesium options is the Magnesium sulfate: BRS’s Magnesium is anhydrous, so it requires less to achieve the same concentration as Epsom Salt.



Dosing Instructions for Magnesium:

Dose at 5.4% of the volume used for the other parts. For every gallon of other solutions used, add 203 mL of the magnesium mix.

We need to supplement the extra magnesium because The Balling Method only has enough magnesium to offset ionic imbalance, not from consumption.

The 10:1 ratio has the chloride to sulfate ratio of normal seawater, which is what we need for this recipe.




If anyone has further questions, please feel free to ask in this thread.

Makes sense, quite concise, thank you.


This is the magnesium chloride I have. Unsure if it is hexahydrate or not. It's probably not the more expensive anhydrous since it doesn't advertise that.

 

[Freenow54]

The Balling DIY supplement recipe utilize a 1:1:1 dosing ratio to maintain proper alkalinity. For instance, if you require 50 mL of the alkalinity solution, you should also add 50 mL of Calcium and Balling.

Alkalinity (Choose One) :​

Option 1: Converting Baking Soda (Sodium bicarbonate) into Soda Ash (Sodium carbonate) at home:

Spread 594 grams (approximately two ¼ cups) of Baking Soda on a baking tray. Heat in an oven at 300°F for one hour. This process drives off water and carbon dioxide; overheating is not a concern. Dissolve the resulting solid in enough water to make 1 gallon total of Soda Ash.
Source


If you purchased pre-made Soda Ash, it is 375g per gallon.


Option 2: Sodium Hydroxide (Lye)


Add 283 grams of food-grade sodium hydroxide to 1 gallon of fresh water. It will get quite warm. Make sure it doesn't soften your container. This solution will contain about 1,900 meq/L of alkalinity (5,300 dKH). There is no alkalinity additive that has a greater pH boost than hydroxides.


BE CAREFUL WITH THIS SOLUTION: IT HAS A pH ABOVE 14. Do not get it in your eyes or on your skin. Keep all reef chemicals, especially this alk part, in a way that children or pets cannot access them.
Source

Calcium:​

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. You can dissolve it in about ½ gallon of water, and then pour that into the 1 gallon container and fill it to the top with more freshwater. This solution has about 37,000 ppm calcium.
Source


Note: If you use an anhydrous or monohydrate calcium chloride (such as Dow Mini-Pellets, Kent's Turbo Calcium, Prestone Driveway Heat or Peladow Calcium Chloride), then you should use about 20% (1/5) less solid calcium chloride by volume to make the recipe. Note that the solution will get quite hot when dissolving anhydrous calcium chloride. See the section on substitutions for further information.
Source

Balling Method (Choose One) : ​

Option 1: Tropic Marin Balling Part C

Dissolve 182 grams (about seven scoops) in enough RO/DI or purified water to make one gallon total volume.


Tropic Marin’s instructions are for concentrations 50% weaker, so I’ve appropriately doubled it to equal 1:1:1 dosing.



Option 2: Aquaforest Mineral Salt

Dissolve 189 grams in enough RO/DI or purified water to make one gallon total volume.

Aquaforest’s instructions are for solutions 50% weaker, so I’ve appropriately doubled it to equal 1:1:1 dosing.

Magnesium 10:1 Ratio (Choose One) :​

Option 1: Using Epsom Salt


Dissolve 3/4 cups of Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate heptahydrate) and 7¼ cups (1,285g) of magnesium chloride hexahydrate in enough water to make one gallon.


Option 2: Using BRS Magnesium Sulfate

Mix 7¼ cups (1,285 grams) of Magnesium chloride hexahydrate and 1/2 cup (124 grams) of BRS Magnesium Sulfate to create one gallon.

Note: The only difference between the Magnesium options is the Magnesium sulfate: BRS’s Magnesium is anhydrous, so it requires less to achieve the same concentration as Epsom Salt.



Dosing Instructions for Magnesium:

Dose at 5.4% of the volume used for the other parts. For every gallon of other solutions used, add 203 mL of the magnesium mix.

We need to supplement the extra magnesium because The Balling Method only has enough magnesium to offset ionic imbalance, not from consumption.

The 10:1 ratio has the chloride to sulfate ratio of normal seawater, which is what we need for this recipe.




If anyone has further questions, please feel free to ask in this thread.

Just when I went out and got K+ and a- is that right? My first dosing project that I have yet to do. Busy with UV light because of you. Algae because of you, and new Coral

 

[Freenow54]

The Balling DIY supplement recipe utilize a 1:1:1 dosing ratio to maintain proper alkalinity. For instance, if you require 50 mL of the alkalinity solution, you should also add 50 mL of Calcium and Balling.

Alkalinity (Choose One) :​

Option 1: Converting Baking Soda (Sodium bicarbonate) into Soda Ash (Sodium carbonate) at home:

Spread 594 grams (approximately two ¼ cups) of Baking Soda on a baking tray. Heat in an oven at 300°F for one hour. This process drives off water and carbon dioxide; overheating is not a concern. Dissolve the resulting solid in enough water to make 1 gallon total of Soda Ash.
Source


If you purchased pre-made Soda Ash, it is 375g per gallon.


Option 2: Sodium Hydroxide (Lye)


Add 283 grams of food-grade sodium hydroxide to 1 gallon of fresh water. It will get quite warm. Make sure it doesn't soften your container. This solution will contain about 1,900 meq/L of alkalinity (5,300 dKH). There is no alkalinity additive that has a greater pH boost than hydroxides.


BE CAREFUL WITH THIS SOLUTION: IT HAS A pH ABOVE 14. Do not get it in your eyes or on your skin. Keep all reef chemicals, especially this alk part, in a way that children or pets cannot access them.
Source

Calcium:​

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. You can dissolve it in about ½ gallon of water, and then pour that into the 1 gallon container and fill it to the top with more freshwater. This solution has about 37,000 ppm calcium.
Source


Note: If you use an anhydrous or monohydrate calcium chloride (such as Dow Mini-Pellets, Kent's Turbo Calcium, Prestone Driveway Heat or Peladow Calcium Chloride), then you should use about 20% (1/5) less solid calcium chloride by volume to make the recipe. Note that the solution will get quite hot when dissolving anhydrous calcium chloride. See the section on substitutions for further information.
Source

Balling Method (Choose One) : ​

Option 1: Tropic Marin Balling Part C

Dissolve 182 grams (about seven scoops) in enough RO/DI or purified water to make one gallon total volume.


Tropic Marin’s instructions are for concentrations 50% weaker, so I’ve appropriately doubled it to equal 1:1:1 dosing.



Option 2: Aquaforest Mineral Salt

Dissolve 189 grams in enough RO/DI or purified water to make one gallon total volume.

Aquaforest’s instructions are for solutions 50% weaker, so I’ve appropriately doubled it to equal 1:1:1 dosing.

Magnesium 10:1 Ratio (Choose One) :​

Option 1: Using Epsom Salt


Dissolve 3/4 cups of Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate heptahydrate) and 7¼ cups (1,285g) of magnesium chloride hexahydrate in enough water to make one gallon.


Option 2: Using BRS Magnesium Sulfate

Mix 7¼ cups (1,285 grams) of Magnesium chloride hexahydrate and 1/2 cup (124 grams) of BRS Magnesium Sulfate to create one gallon.

Note: The only difference between the Magnesium options is the Magnesium sulfate: BRS’s Magnesium is anhydrous, so it requires less to achieve the same concentration as Epsom Salt.



Dosing Instructions for Magnesium:

Dose at 5.4% of the volume used for the other parts. For every gallon of other solutions used, add 203 mL of the magnesium mix.

We need to supplement the extra magnesium because The Balling Method only has enough magnesium to offset ionic imbalance, not from consumption.

The 10:1 ratio has the chloride to sulfate ratio of normal seawater, which is what we need for this recipe.




If anyone has further questions, please feel free to ask in this thread.

Sorry thought this was Randy

 

[PepperBeardBlasto]

Hello,
I just want to confirm that I am understanding everything correctly. I am planning on using baking soda and not soda ash for my alk dosing. And dosing magnesium daily via dosing pump.
If I were to mix the calcium and part C as described, then I would dose half the amount in ml that I am Alk. And for magnesium I would dose 5.4% the amount of calcium.

For example
Alk: 100ml
Cal: 50ml
Part C: 50ml
Mag: 50×0.054=2.7ml

Can you verify this for me please?

 

[Miami Reef]

Hello,
I just want to confirm that I am understanding everything correctly. I am planning on using baking soda and not soda ash for my alk dosing. And dosing magnesium daily via dosing pump.
If I were to mix the calcium and part C as described, then I would dose half the amount in ml that I am Alk. And for magnesium I would dose 5.4% the amount of calcium.

For example
Alk: 100ml
Cal: 50ml
Part C: 50ml
Mag: 50×0.054=2.7ml

Can you verify this for me please?

Correct.

 

[mikst]

Makes sense, quite concise, thank you.


This is the magnesium chloride I have. Unsure if it is hexahydrate or not. It's probably not the more expensive anhydrous since it doesn't advertise that.

I mixed up the mag this morning. I did both volumetric and mass measurements. My magnesium chloride massed right on the nose at 1285grams for 7-1/4 cups.

The "magnesium sulfate" massed at 96 grams for 1/2 cup and 144 grams for 3/4 cup. Seems like it's somewhere in between the brs and generic Epsom salt.
I massed the food grade Epsom salt I had in a bag. It has much smaller crystals. It ended up at 126 grams for 3/4 cup.

I also massed exactly how much water was needed to fill up the 1 gallon / 3.785 liter jug I have. Now I can recalc and have my own recipe for per liter. :)

I also mixed up the calcium portion yesterday and massed everything out to compare to volumetric measurements. Just for gee whiz factor. I might bake some baking soda tomorrow :)
Happy Friday!

 

[oli986]

The Balling DIY supplement recipe utilize a 1:1:1 dosing ratio to maintain proper alkalinity. For instance, if you require 50 mL of the alkalinity solution, you should also add 50 mL of Calcium and Balling.

Alkalinity (Choose One) :​

Option 1: Converting Baking Soda (Sodium bicarbonate) into Soda Ash (Sodium carbonate) at home:

Spread 594 grams (approximately two ¼ cups) of Baking Soda on a baking tray. Heat in an oven at 300°F for one hour. This process drives off water and carbon dioxide; overheating is not a concern. Dissolve the resulting solid in enough water to make 1 gallon total of Soda Ash.
Source


If you purchased pre-made Soda Ash, it is 375g per gallon.


Option 2: Sodium Hydroxide (Lye)


Add 283 grams of food-grade sodium hydroxide to 1 gallon of fresh water. It will get quite warm. Make sure it doesn't soften your container. This solution will contain about 1,900 meq/L of alkalinity (5,300 dKH). There is no alkalinity additive that has a greater pH boost than hydroxides.


BE CAREFUL WITH THIS SOLUTION: IT HAS A pH ABOVE 14. Do not get it in your eyes or on your skin. Keep all reef chemicals, especially this alk part, in a way that children or pets cannot access them.
Source

Calcium:​

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. You can dissolve it in about ½ gallon of water, and then pour that into the 1 gallon container and fill it to the top with more freshwater. This solution has about 37,000 ppm calcium.
Source


Note: If you use an anhydrous or monohydrate calcium chloride (such as Dow Mini-Pellets, Kent's Turbo Calcium, Prestone Driveway Heat or Peladow Calcium Chloride), then you should use about 20% (1/5) less solid calcium chloride by volume to make the recipe. Note that the solution will get quite hot when dissolving anhydrous calcium chloride. See the section on substitutions for further information.
Source

Balling Method (Choose One) : ​

Option 1: Tropic Marin Balling Part C

Dissolve 182 grams (about seven scoops) in enough RO/DI or purified water to make one gallon total volume.


Tropic Marin’s instructions are for concentrations 50% weaker, so I’ve appropriately doubled it to equal 1:1:1 dosing.



Option 2: Aquaforest Mineral Salt

Dissolve 189 grams in enough RO/DI or purified water to make one gallon total volume.

Aquaforest’s instructions are for solutions 50% weaker, so I’ve appropriately doubled it to equal 1:1:1 dosing.

Magnesium 10:1 Ratio (Choose One) :​

Option 1: Using Epsom Salt


Dissolve 3/4 cups of Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate heptahydrate) and 7¼ cups (1,285g) of magnesium chloride hexahydrate in enough water to make one gallon.


Option 2: Using BRS Magnesium Sulfate

Mix 7¼ cups (1,285 grams) of Magnesium chloride hexahydrate and 1/2 cup (124 grams) of BRS Magnesium Sulfate to create one gallon.

Note: The only difference between the Magnesium options is the Magnesium sulfate: BRS’s Magnesium is anhydrous, so it requires less to achieve the same concentration as Epsom Salt.



Dosing Instructions for Magnesium:

Dose at 5.4% of the volume used for the other parts. For every gallon of other solutions used, add 203 mL of the magnesium mix.

We need to supplement the extra magnesium because The Balling Method only has enough magnesium to offset ionic imbalance, not from consumption.

The 10:1 ratio has the chloride to sulfate ratio of normal seawater, which is what we need for this recipe.




If anyone has further questions, please feel free to ask in this thread.

Hi could someone just clarify something as I'm confused. Is this essentially a 4 part dosing process or do you combine the balling/mineral salt with the magnesium part?

I'm using aquaforest 123 atm which does combine the two.

 

[Miami Reef]

Hi could someone just clarify something as I'm confused. Is this essentially a 4 part dosing process or do you combine the balling/mineral salt with the magnesium part?

I'm using aquaforest 123 atm which does combine the two.

It’s a 3 part. The magnesium part is an optional step to avoid magnesium testing.

@Randy Holmes-Farley The Balling Part C mixes to 1.027s/g when mixed to my directions. Do you think we can add that extra magnesium to it? I think it’ll dissolve just fine.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I think you could put the mag part into the Balling Part C if that worked better for you on dosers.

 

[mikst]

I think you could put the mag part into the Balling Part C if that worked better for you on dosers.

That would be delightful to combine aqf part c and mag together.

 

[Miami Reef]

Update 3/8/25

You can add the magnesium part (203mL) into the Balling Part. It will dissolve, which makes this a true three-part.

 

[mikst]

Update 3/8/25

You can add the magnesium part (203mL) into the Balling Part. It will dissolve, which makes this a true three-part.

Niiiiiice. How did you determine this? Just curious if you played with chemistry equations or mixed it to see.
Edit: OK, so you would end up adding 203ml of your mag premix into the already mixed 1 gallon mixed volume of balling part c for a total volume of 3.988L?

 

[Miami Reef]

Niiiiiice. How did you determine this? Just curious if you played with chemistry equations or mixed it to see.
Edit: OK, so you would end up adding 203ml of your mag premix into the already mixed 1 gallon mixed volume of balling part c for a total volume of 3.988L?

The Balling Part is just sodium chloride-free salt. Since it mixed to 1.027s/g and already contained magnesium sulfate and chloride, I thought adding the magnesium part wouldn't be an issue.

Add the dry balling salt with the magnesium (203mL), then fill the gallon jug with water.

 

[rishma]

If i recall, you can also add TM A and K trace to the calcium and alk parts, making this an excellent true 3 part system that I’ll probably use on my next big tank. Great thread @Miami Reef

 

[Miami Reef]

If i recall, you can also add TM A and K trace to the calcium and alk parts, making this an excellent true 3 part system that I’ll probably use on my next big tank. Great thread @Miami Reef

Thank you.

This is Randy’s hybrid recipe. I’ve conveniently organized the information and made the recipe 1:1:1.

There is no better 3 part recipe than this for maintaining ionic balance. There is also no need to measure magnesium as long as it starts within range and you maintain normal salinity.

 

[Miami Reef]

Niiiiiice. How did you determine this?

According to Randy, as long as there isn’t precipitation, it is perfect to use. :)

I made the batch, added a little more than the recipe used, and it still dissolved fine.

 

[rishma]

Thank you.

This is Randy’s hybrid recipe. I’ve conveniently organized the information and made the recipe 1:1:1.

Oh I know :)! the 1:1:1 super helpful. I’ve really simplified ongoing tank chores the last few years and it’s a game changer. My dosing container sizes, top off, pre-prepped food cubes, etc are all done for simplicity, repeatability and no intervention for 45 days (I travel for work). This thread fits perfectly with my approach.

 

[mikst]

Very cool and I also like the 1 to 1 to 1 ratio.
Thabks for your experimental work!

 

[ethipelagic]

Thanks for tidying this up into a new thread. Love the idea of mixing the Balling and Magnesium parts.

One question for a heathen in the UK with no standardised cup measurements; Did we settle on how many grams of Epsom Salt there are in 3/4 Cups?