Mixing your own additives

ShawnSaucier · Jan 20, 2014

How many of you have decided to mix your own Cal., Alk and Mag solutions and have stopped buying pre-mixed bottled solutions? What are you using ? How has it changed your tank( ie. growth and color)? And what products would you recommend?:nerd:

redfishbluefish · Jan 20, 2014

I'm a DIY two part user since 2008, except for a short stint with B-Ionic for a very short period of time, its been DIY. I use Randy's Recipe 1.

For Alk I use Arm & Hammer Baking Soda that I buy in a 13.5 pound bag from Sam's for around six dollars.....2 1/4 cups cooked for an hour at 300 degrees and I've got Soda Ash that is then mixed up to one gallon with RO/DI water. This one bag makes approximately 12 gallons of Alk.

For Calc I use Prestone Driveway Heat and got a 40 or 50 pound bag for under $20. It's a lifetime supply since I only use two cups per gallon.

For Mag, I have a 40 (or 50) pound bag of MAG Flakes (less than $20), that I mix with Epsom Salts I get from the drug store. The one thing I've changed from Randy's recipe is that I make up separate solutions of the two components and then mix those. I've found that I get a little less precipitate when I do it this way.

I haven't done the math, but if I were to guess, it cost me no more than 10 to 15 dollars a year to dose my 90 gallon reef. Oh, and everything has been growing like weeds.

ShawnSaucier · Jan 20, 2014

Wow, what a cost difference. Both my wife and I have been looking at having a bit more control as to exactly what is going in to the tank. First we've started researching making our own food, which then got us on the additives. I've read about Randy's Recipes before, just never really paid attention. Thank you for sharing. Any fTS? Who else? Are you using Rand'ys R. or other tricks? Any comparison photos of the change in your tanks after making the switch

Ron Reefman · Jan 20, 2014

I'm right in line with redfishbluefish. Dowflake for cal, soda ash from a pool supply for alk, Mag Flake and Epsom salt for mag. I have almost 600g over 4 tanks and I dose a lot because they are mostly sps and lps. I've been doing it for about 3 years with no issues. BTW, I use a 50lb bag of Dowflake ($18.00) every 18 months, that's almost $150.00 in calcium from BRS! And I use Bayer germ and insect for coral dip!

EricTMah · Jan 20, 2014

Very interesting.

Any links explaining in more detail as to what can be used for each supplement? I'm very interested but would need to know exactly what I'm looking for ingredient wise. I'd have to search for them here. As I'm from Canada and I'm sure I can't find the same things as you guys in the states.

Any help would be great.

Thanks

chris1017 · Jan 20, 2014

An Improved Do-it-Yourself Two-Part Calcium and Alkalinity Supplement System by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

That is the link that most people get their recipie from.

I have been doing the same for 3 years now and no problems.

Ron Reefman · Jan 21, 2014

EricTMah said:
Very interesting.

Any links explaining in more detail as to what can be used for each supplement? I'm very interested but would need to know exactly what I'm looking for ingredient wise. I'd have to search for them here. As I'm from Canada and I'm sure I can't find the same things as you guys in the states.

Any help would be great.

Thanks

Dowflake and Mag Flake are ice and snow melting chemicals (pure enough for our use). You shouldn't have any problem finding them at your local hardware store, eh. But imagine how much fun I had trying to find it locally (too expensive to ship) in SW Florida! :wink: It's not like we get a lot of snow down here... I've seen frost 3 times in 15 years! Soda ash or sodium bicarbonate should be available at a pool supply store (you guys do have some swimming pools up that way, don't you) or baking soda at the grocery store. And Epsom Salt is Epsom Salt, any grocery store should have it. I just wanted it cheaper and found a supplier in California who sells 25lb bags with free shipping!

ShawnSaucier · Jan 21, 2014

Ron Reefman said:
Dowflake and Mag Flake are ice and snow melting chemicals (pure enough for our use). You shouldn't have any problem finding them at your local hardware store, eh. But imagine how much fun I had trying to find it locally (too expensive to ship) in SW Florida! :wink: It's not like we get a lot of snow down here... I've seen frost 3 times in 15 years! Soda ash or sodium bicarbonate should be available at a pool supply store (you guys do have some swimming pools up that way, don't you) or baking soda at the grocery store. And Epsom Salt is Epsom Salt, any grocery store should have it. I just wanted it cheaper and found a supplier in California who sells 25lb bags with free shipping!

Ron,
I'm in Fl also. I'm hoping I can just order Dowflakes and Magflakes on line. Did you have to do a special order??