Post your DIY additives here!

[Bohicas Reef]

Hello, I made a spread sheet that has calculations on how to make all the elements you need. I've been running over 2 years now no water change. Feel free to use this to make a better calculator or whatever you wish as a community. Let me know if anyone finds a mistake, but it's obviously working.
zachtos diy ICP supplements

Thanks for sharing this. Is this sheet still valid? Only asking cause it was made a few years ago. Thanks in advance

 

[salty joe]

I saved this spreadsheet then didn't know who wrote it, didn't know who to thank.
Thank you zachtos! It is outstanding!

 

[MikeTheNewbie]

Hello, has anyone found a good source of Chrome / Chromium element for DIY in the U.S.?

I'm aware that this is likely one of the most hazardous elements we typically dose to our tanks, PPE is required.
I have searched for chromium(iii) chloride hexahydrate CrCl3*6(H2O) but I can't find a store that sells to individuals.

I hope someone else can help with either:
A) Finding a source that sells to individuals in the U.S.
B) Finding an alternative DIY / cost effective chemical compound or product that is equivalent to Reef Factory, Aquaforest, or Reef Moonshiners.

Thank you!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

The diy chemistry archive has a recipe, but not a product link.

DIY Chemistry Archive

I thought it would be useful to have an archive of DIY chemistry methods. I'll add to it as things come up. Calcium and Alkalinity DIY method comparison https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/randy-recommended-diy-two-part-recipes.984604/ Three Part using Sodium Hydroxide (including Balling Part...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Btloi89]

Question on storage of trace elements. I plan on created acrylic dosing containers for some elements and wonder if they will degrade over time if the container is clear. Should I use black acrylic instead or will clear be ok?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Question on storage of trace elements. I plan on created acrylic dosing containers for some elements and wonder if they will degrade over time if the container is clear. Should I use black acrylic instead or will clear be ok?

Light is not typically the concern. Oxygen is the thing that causes them to change form.

 

[Islandvib3s]

Be careful with fluoride. It can be fairly toxic.

NaF is 45% fluoride by weight, so to add 1 mg/L to 100 liters takes

(1 mg/L x 100 L ) / 0.45 = 222 mg, or 0.2 grams.

You can dissolve up to about 30 grams in a litter of RO/DI.

If you dissolve 10 grams in 1 L, then it is 10 mg/mL NaF and it takes 22 mL of that solution to boost 100 L by 1 mg/L F.

what would be the dosage or solution be if i dissolve 28 grams(loudwolf 99.9 pure) in 1 litter of RODI. im just looking to dose for daily consumption along side of AFR and np bacto, i will also add the diy manganese. mixed 125 gallon and 40b sump. tanks in advance!

 

[KStatefan]

what would be the dosage or solution be if i dissolve 28 grams(loudwolf 99.9 pure) in 1 litter of RODI. im just looking to dose for daily consumption along side of AFR and np bacto, i will also add the diy manganese. mixed 125 gallon and 40b sump. tanks in advance!

28 grams of NaF to make one liter of solution would be about 12650 ppm F

You will have to determine the dosage based of your consumption.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

what would be the dosage or solution be if i dissolve 28 grams(loudwolf 99.9 pure) in 1 litter of RODI. im just looking to dose for daily consumption along side of AFR and np bacto, i will also add the diy manganese. mixed 125 gallon and 40b sump. tanks in advance!

AFR contains fluoride. I would not assume you need more without testing by icp.

 

[Btloi89]

Light is not typically the concern. Oxygen is the thing that causes them to change form.

Thanks Randy!

 

[Robert Ranciato]

Be careful with fluoride. It can be fairly toxic.

NaF is 45% fluoride by weight, so to add 1 mg/L to 100 liters takes

(1 mg/L x 100 L ) / 0.45 = 222 mg, or 0.2 grams.

You can dissolve up to about 30 grams in a litter of RO/DI.

If you dissolve 10 grams in 1 L, then it is 10 mg/mL NaF and it takes 22 mL of that solution to boost 100 L by 1 mg/L F.

Thank you for doing the math. I really appreciate it

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Thank you for doing the math. I really appreciate it

You’re welcome.

Happy Reefing!

 

[LobsterOfJustice]

Be careful with fluoride. It can be fairly toxic.

NaF is 45% fluoride by weight, so to add 1 mg/L to 100 liters takes

(1 mg/L x 100 L ) / 0.45 = 222 mg, or 0.2 grams.

You can dissolve up to about 30 grams in a litter of RO/DI.

If you dissolve 10 grams in 1 L, then it is 10 mg/mL NaF and it takes 22 mL of that solution to boost 100 L by 1 mg/L F.

Can you double check my conversions / math below?

~1500 L system volume
Need to raise by 1.3 mg/L

Sodium Fluoride
10 g/L = 22mL to boost 100 L by 1 mg/L F

30 g/L = 22mL to boost 300 L by 1 mg/L F
30 g/L = 110 mL to boost 1500 L by 1 mg/L F
30 g/L = 143 mL to boost 1500 L by 1.3 mg/L F