redfishbluefish
Stay Positive, Stay Productive
View BadgesStaff member
Super Moderator
Reef Squad
Partner Member 2024
Excellence Award
Article Contributor
NJRC Member
Hospitality Award
My Tank Thread
I’ve been using Randy’s two part since the beginning of time, first starting with Prestone Driveway Heat for the calcium part. At the time I searched for Dowflake, but couldn’t find it locally. The first 50 lb bag lasted maybe 12-15 years, and at that point I could no longer find “Driveway Heat” from Scotwood Industry, but found their replacement of SWI Winter Heat. Both had very similar MSDS’s (SDI’s), and having minimal bound water, mixed 2 cups per gallon, but over the next year or so I was seeing that this “new” calcium chloride” might have elevated bromide. With a friend getting out of the hobby and giving me 4, seven pound containers of BRS calcium, I switched over to this to play it safe. And now, another friend gave me a container of ESV calcium chloride.
So I pull up the MSDS on ESV Calcium Chloride and find that it’s 94-97% Calcium Chloride, telling me this is an anhydrous form, or it anything, minimal bound water. Now looking at Randy’s mixing directions, he’s included Dowflake (77 - 80% calcium chloride) and ESV as needing the same 2 ½ cups per gallon.
Randy’s Recipe 1 for Calcium Chloride
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.
Has ESV changed their calcium chloride to the anhydrous form? With the MSDS showing 94 - 97%, I would think the 2 cups per gallon would be a better choice. Am I missing something?
So I pull up the MSDS on ESV Calcium Chloride and find that it’s 94-97% Calcium Chloride, telling me this is an anhydrous form, or it anything, minimal bound water. Now looking at Randy’s mixing directions, he’s included Dowflake (77 - 80% calcium chloride) and ESV as needing the same 2 ½ cups per gallon.
Randy’s Recipe 1 for Calcium Chloride
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.
Has ESV changed their calcium chloride to the anhydrous form? With the MSDS showing 94 - 97%, I would think the 2 cups per gallon would be a better choice. Am I missing something?
Last edited: