DOWFLAKE XTRA

[mekesterson93]

Does anyone use this calcium chloride? Just found out that they have a bunch of this stuff where I work at and am curious if it will cause any negative effects. And if you do use it, how much do you use per 5gl gallons? Thanks in advance!

 

[Ewilson]

Following

 

[-Logzor]

It might have more impurities than what BRS sells. Randy can provide some input probably. Mix some up, see if there are lots of brown impurities. Years ago most people used the bulk dow chemicals but I recall them changing the formula to include more bromine or something.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Does anyone use this calcium chloride? Just found out that they have a bunch of this stuff where I work at and am curious if it will cause any negative effects. And if you do use it, how much do you use per 5gl gallons? Thanks in advance!

Yes, it is likely OK. Dowflake now has more bromide than the Dowflake I originally tested it, but regular water changes should keep that problem under control. :)

 

[mekesterson93]

Thank you guys, very much. I'm going to bring a bag home with me tomorrow and try it out. What should I mix it to?

 

[71xlch]

I bought some at a store and have been using it. No issues so far.

 

[redfishbluefish]

It would appear that the original Dowflake was 77-80% calcium chloride, while this Dowflake Exta is 83 - 87% calcium chloride....having less associated water. If using Randy's recipe found HERE, I don't have a calculator, but would surmise it would take around 2 1/4 cups Dowflake Exta per gallon of water. Maybe @Randy Holmes-Farley or someone with a calculator can jump in here.

 

[120reefkeeper]

Ask and you shall receive. [emoji4]

http://reef.diesyst.com/chemcalc/chemcalc.html

 

[redfishbluefish]

Thanks @120reefkeeper , but I was actually talking about this kind of calculator

to calculate the amount of DowFlake Xtra it would take to make a stock solution for using two part.

Randy's original recipe with "old, regular" Dowflake was 2 1/2 cups per gallon. With this "newer" Dowflake Xtra, with less bound water, it will take less per gallon to get the same concentration of calcium chloride.

I'm also scratching my head on the calculator you linked with what they are calling Dow Flake....they list it as "anhydrous", but Dow Flake was never anhydrous.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Yes, I'd reduce the amount of calcium chloride in my recipes by about 5-10%.

Dow does sell a mostly anyhdrous form (Peladow), but that calculator lists Dowflake in the dihydrate form and has it correct. :)

 

[ltrace]

Home Depot here in Lexington, KY area doesn't carry Dow Flake. Is there anything that can be substituted for it?

 

[redfishbluefish]

I've been using Prestone Driveway Heat....but note it's even more anhydrous, and therefore you only need 2 cups per gallon (if you're making a stock solution per Randy's recipe.)

 

[ltrace]

@Randy Holmes-Farley I work and a school and the chemistry teacher has bottle of .1 molar wt. of calcium chloride. Can that be use in any way?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

@Randy Holmes-Farley I work and a school and the chemistry teacher has bottle of .1 molar wt. of calcium chloride. Can that be use in any way?

You can use it as a weak calcium supplement. :)

The calcium part of my DIY two part is about 0.9 M, and pure calcium supplements are typically more than 1 M.

 

[ltrace]

You can use it as a weak calcium supplement. :)

When you say weak what would be the mix ratio?

 

[redfishbluefish]

@Randy Holmes-Farley I work and a school and the chemistry teacher has bottle of .1 molar wt. of calcium chloride. Can that be use in any way?

That's a relative week solution of calcium. Randy's formula has the calcium at approximately 0.93 molar....so you'd need roughly nine times the volume to get the same bang for the buck.

 

[ltrace]

Okay thank you.