New DIY Two Part Recipes with Higher pH Boost

[Nonya]

What's the effect of using calcium chloride (Excel Ice Melt) vs. dihydrate? What adjustments should be made?

Disregard. It looks like I'll reduce the CaCl by 20%.

As far as the 2-part dosing claculator, which products would we select from the pull-down menus when using this new recipe?

What's the word from the guinea pigs?

 

[Saintnovakai]

Hey guys, not sure if this came up in the pretty long thread but can I use just the Alk (Randy's sodium hydroxide) with standard BRS calcium?

It's difficult getting some of the ingredients easily here in Jamaica which is why I ask. I do NSW water changes and sometimes add a bit of BRS mag.

 

[Paul J]

Randy, I'm stating with the latest DIY Alk and Sodium and Calcium and Mag on the 25th April 2019. I'm not sure how the test will come out the next day So I'm reducing the amount that is auto dosed into my reef tank. Should I be this concerned?

 

[Saintnovakai]

Hey guys, not sure if this came up in the pretty long thread but can I use just the Alk (Randy's sodium hydroxide) with standard BRS calcium?

It's difficult getting some of the ingredients easily here in Jamaica which is why I ask. I do NSW water changes and sometimes add a bit of BRS mag.

Can I dose only Alk part and leave the calcium chloride from BRS as is? Someone please answer. I'm really stoked about this. Thanks guys.

 

[Nonya]

Is anyone using this with success?

 

[Smarkow]

The hydroxide 2 part would for a given alkalinity dose be basically the same, but can be more concentrated so you can add more of it for a given amount of evaporation.

Thanks I’d always struggled to understand this.

 

[alexK]

Is anyone using this with success?

I do. I live with this recipe for 2 weeks and it's great. My ph is about 0.2 higher than when I used baked soda based recipe. Equivalent alkalinity consumption increased when I started to use hydroxide based recipe, which means corals like it.
Tank is about 200L, I dose 24ml per day divided in 4 doses. I have no percipitate issues like some reported - I dose into return section of a sump. I find it fascinating how alkalinity part droplets turn into jello on contact with salt water and then redissolve in about 30 seconds.

 

[KTTX]

FYI, food grade sodium sulfate is available online and is not expensive:

https://www.amazon.com/Natural-Sulfate-Granular-Anhydrous-Crystals/dp/B00L4L73CM

Using it helps keep the recipe from skewing the chloride to sulfate ratio in the aquarium. :)

Does anyone have a link to the other parts needed for this DIY 2part with higher pH.

I currently use BRS 2 part.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I find it fascinating how alkalinity part droplets turn into jello on contact with salt water and then redissolve in about 30 seconds.

Just as an FYI, that material is magnesium hydroxide, like Phillips milk of magnesia.

 

[KTTX]

I do. I live with this recipe for 2 weeks and it's great. My ph is about 0.2 higher than when I used baked soda based recipe. Equivalent alkalinity consumption increased when I started to use hydroxide based recipe, which means corals like it.
Tank is about 200L, I dose 24ml per day divided in 4 doses. I have no percipitate issues like some reported - I dose into return section of a sump. I find it fascinating how alkalinity part droplets turn into jello on contact with salt water and then redissolve in about 30 seconds.

Where did you buy the mixes?

 

[alexK]

Where did you buy the mixes?

I don't think it would be of any help - I live in Russia. I've bought components from local supplier. Food grade chemical are very hard to find, that's why I've bought analytical grade chemicals, not sure if translation from Russian purity scale is 100% correct though.

 

[KTTX]

Anyone use the Apex DOS pumps and reservoir with this DIY 2 part?

 

[KTTX]

Are these the correct items for the sodium hydroxide formula that increases pH and has Mg in it as well? TIA @Randy Holmes-Farley

Sodium Hydroxide - Pure - Food Grade (Caustic Soda, Lye) (1 lb) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06W57NL8S/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_Z.9gDb81X6E2P

Magnesium Chloride (1 lb.) by Pure Organic Ingredients, Eco-Friendly Packaging, Crystal Powder, Highest Quality, Oral Supplement, Food & USP Pharmaceutical Grade (Also in 4 oz, 2 lb & 4 lb) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076ZX3M1Q/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_qa-gDbS9E8JJK

Calcium Chloride Flake - Dihydrate - CaCl22H2O - (1 lb) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00L22EJ6G/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_Ma-gDbY7PG4GH

Duda Energy 1ssf Natural Sodium Sulfate Food Grade FCC 99+% Granular Anhydrous Crystals Salt Made in USA, 1 lb. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005K4EKQQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_4a-gDb7SP8JWF

 

[JimWelsh]

Are these the correct items for the sodium hydroxide formula that increases pH and has Mg in it as well?

I'm not Randy, but the answer is, "Yes."

 

[KTTX]

I'm not Randy, but the answer is, "Yes."

Thanks JW.

 

[chema]

Hi all: I have been using Randy's recipe for the last half a year with great success. Now I'm wondering if any of you complement the recipe with some trace elements or additives to increase coral colours.

 

[chema]

Anyone use the Apex DOS pumps and reservoir with this DIY 2 part?

I use the GHL doser 2.1 and the recipients made by Tropic Marin. The only problem I have found is that as I use 2X calcium+magnesium the peristaltic tube gets clogged after a certain time and I have to replace it, but it's not big deal. Also I observe some precipitation in the calcium+magnesium recipient

 

[topjimmy]

I think I might try this out now that I'm out of soda.

What is everyone mixing these solutions in? I have been using milk jugs but I don't think that they can withstand the exothermic reaction, plus the seal is not great, and splashing high pH solutions all over the place seems like a pretty bad idea.

 

[lapin]

I think I might try this out now that I'm out of soda.

What is everyone mixing these solutions in? I have been using milk jugs but I don't think that they can withstand the exothermic reaction, plus the seal is not great, and splashing high pH solutions all over the place seems like a pretty bad idea.

I use 1 gallon water containers form the store, since I have a a few gallons of water in my truck in case i get thirsty. There are always emptys laying around

 

[Yogher]

I use the GHL doser 2.1 and the recipients made by Tropic Marin. The only problem I have found is that as I use 2X calcium+magnesium the peristaltic tube gets clogged after a certain time and I have to replace it, but it's not big deal. Also I observe some precipitation in the calcium+magnesium recipient

Do you also find problems in hydroxide part?
I am wondering what is your long term experience of tubing exposed to extremely high pH like in hydroxide? Does it dissolve tubings of neoprene or silicone? Or does it make silicate release to tank?

I found some info on chemical resistance charts that silicone tubings are 2/3 resistant to 25% NaOH (in temp 20 Celc degrees), neoprene tunings are also 2/3 resistant

I also found that all of these materials can get dissolved at temperature of 100 celcius degrees of 25% NaOH (0 resistance) thats why we should cool out solution to room temperature

What are your long term experience with sodium hydroxide regarding risk of damaging tubings/pumps? Can you give me any hints on best material for tubing exposed to sodium hydroxide? maybe PTFE?


The other question, how long can hydroxide part last? I mean should we make it for maximum 1 month or 1 week because I believe it absorbs CO2 from air and gets it pH lowered?

Regards,
Marcin