DIY Balling Method Recipe

[mook1178]

I could have easily missed it as there are a lot of pages here.

Does the BRS CaCl2 that makes a gallon work for this or does it need to be adjusted? Basically is the Gallon mix 500 g of CaCl2? I could not find anything on their website referring to weight

 

[EnterName]

I could have easily missed it as there are a lot of pages here.

Does the BRS CaCl2 that makes a gallon work for this or does it need to be adjusted? Basically is the Gallon mix 500 g of CaCl2? I could not find anything on their website referring to weight

The 1 gallon mix contains 498.95g CaCl₂ (I assume it's the dihydrate form, which is usually used) according to the product questions section:

 

[mook1178]

The 1 gallon mix contains 498.95g CaCl₂ (I assume it's the dihydrate form, which is usually used) according to the product questions section.

Thank you! I was looking on the 5 pack page and that question was not there.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I could have easily missed it as there are a lot of pages here.

Does the BRS CaCl2 that makes a gallon work for this or does it need to be adjusted? Basically is the Gallon mix 500 g of CaCl2? I could not find anything on their website referring to weight

It is made for this recipe. :)

 

[sayurasem]

Hello, I’m currently switching my dosing to this DIY balling method. I only have a two-head doser, can I dose balling part C all at once? For example, I would have to dose 150ml per day for my 100 gallon net volume tank.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Yes, Part C is fine for manual dosing. Even once a week is fine.

 

[sayurasem]

Yes, Part C is fine for manual dosing. Even once a week is fine.

Thank you Randy, are you saying dosing 1,050ml (7 days worth of part c) is okay to dose all at once?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

To your size tank, yes. I'd add it to a high mixing area away from corals. It's exactly like adding some higher than normal saltiness seawater. You just want it to mix in a bit before contacting delicate organisms.

If you are making it at the original TM strength of 4 scoops (205 grams) per gallons, then it has a salinity of about 54 ppt. If you are using a double strength recipe, then it is about 108 ppt, or 3x normal seawater.

In your case, making it to normal strength will reduce any salinity shock of a nearby organism.

 

[sayurasem]

If you are making it at the original TM strength of 4 scoops (205 grams) per gallons, then it has a salinity of about 54 ppt. If you are using a double strength recipe, then it is about 108 ppt, or 3x normal seawater.

I did 7 scoops (scoop came in the box) of balling part C per OP’s instruction. Which is about 182 grams per gallon. I’m a bit confused now because the grams don’t add up lol.

On another note, I thought balling part c doesn’t contained any sodium chloride, calcium, nor alkalinity. Could you explain how balling part c can have such high salinity?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I did 7 scoops (scoop came in the box) of balling part C per OP’s instruction. Which is about 182 grams per gallon. I’m a bit confused now because the grams don’t add up lol.

On another note, I thought balling part c doesn’t contained any sodium chloride, calcium, nor alkalinity. Could you explain how balling part c can have such high salinity?

You are correct about its composition. But everything in it is a salt of some sort (and some moisture). THose add to salinity. My estimate ignored the moisture in it and thus is an overestimate, but things like magneisum sulfate, magnesium chloride, potassium chloride, etc. all add to salinity.

Your mass numbers are correct. Mine came from a source that must have been inaccurate. TM says 91 grams is 4 scoops. TM says 91 g per gallon, and you'd double it if you want 1:1 dosing with a soda ash recipe.

 

[sayurasem]

You are correct about its composition. But everything in it is a salt of some sort (and some moisture). THose add to salinity. My estimate ignored the moisture in it and thus is an overestimate, but things like magneisum sulfate, magnesium chloride, potassium chloride, etc. all add to salinity.

Your mass numbers are correct. Mine came from a source that must have been inaccurate. TM says 91 grams is 4 scoops. TM says 91 g per gallon, and you'd double it if you want 1:1 dosing with a soda ash recipe.

I see, thank you for breaking down what’s in balling part C.

I’m on my third day of dosing now and my 1Liter dosing container is running low already (dosing 150ml per day). As space is a restriction in the cabinet, could you confirm if I could double the concentration of the 3 part?

Alk: 566 grams sodium hydroxide + 160/320/660ml TM A- trace elements to make 1 gallon solution.
(Will 566 grams sodium hydroxide fully dissolve into 3 liters of water?)

Cal: 1,000 grams calcium chloride dihydrate + 160/320/660ml TM K+ trace elements to make 1 gallon solution.
(Will 1,000 grams calcium chloride dihydrate fully dissolve into 3 liters of water?)

I don’t need to double concentration of balling part c, but will it work?
364 grams (14 scoops) into ~3.5 liter of water +
203ml of double concentrate magnesium mix (2,570 grams magnesium chloride hexahydrate & 256 grams magnesium sulfate into enough water to make 1 gallon)

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Those should all work except possibly the Part C. Not sure on it.

Be very careful as the sodium hydroxide will get very hot and is a significant splash health hazard.

 

[mook1178]

Am I understanding that the addition of TM A and K to the alkalinity and calcium total equals one gallon as well as the Mg addition to the part C?

Therefore for alkalinity and Calcium make 3/4 of a gallon, then add the TM A and K according to you usage, then fill to one gallon with DI.

For part C make the Mg addition gallon, then 1/2 gallon of Part C, add the 203 mL of Mg addition, then fill to one gallon with DI

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Am I understanding that the addition of TM A and K to the alkalinity and calcium total equals one gallon as well as the Mg addition to the part C?

Therefore for alkalinity and Calcium make 3/4 of a gallon, then add the TM A and K according to you usage, then fill to one gallon with DI.

For part C make the Mg addition gallon, then 1/2 gallon of Part C, add the 203 mL of Mg addition, then fill to one gallon with DI

Yes, I would make them all to the same 1 gallon total volume.

 

[mook1178]

Yes, I would make them all to the same 1 gallon total volume.

Thanks!!

 

[ethipelagic]

Those should all work except possibly the Part C. Not sure on it.

Be very careful as the sodium hydroxide will get very hot and is a significant splash health hazard.

+1 for being careful with NaOH. When I mixed it I found tiny particles must have been landing on my upper arms and the humidity of the room was enough to make my arms sting a fair bit. Long gloves and goggles recommended and doing this all in a cool room!

 

[EnterName]

Those should all work except possibly the Part C. Not sure on it.

Be very careful as the sodium hydroxide will get very hot and is a significant splash health hazard.

+1 for being careful with NaOH. When I mixed it I found tiny particles must have been landing on my upper arms and the humidity of the room was enough to make my arms sting a fair bit. Long gloves and goggles recommended and doing this all in a cool room!

+2 don't breave in the caustic mist/aerosol when dissolving NaOH in water. Preferably dissolve it in a well ventilated area.

 

[Dogeatbird]

Also only mix NaOH in glass; dissolving NaOH is exothermic(heat generating)

Can damage acrylic vessels.

 

[sayurasem]

Thank you all for the tips. I’ve been doing this balling method for a little over three weeks now. So far so good, my only issue is how often I have to fill up my 1L solutions reservoir (doesn’t even last a whole week).

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Thank you all for the tips. I’ve been doing this balling method for a little over three weeks now. So far so good, my only issue is how often I have to fill up my 1L solutions reservoir (doesn’t even last a whole week).

Which recipe are you using?