Second New DIY Two Part Recipe with Higher pH Boost

[Fishfinder]

@Randy Holmes-Farley why do you recommend sodium hydroxide over calcium hydroxide? What is the difference/advantage?

 

[mook1178]

@Randy Holmes-Farley why do you recommend sodium hydroxide over calcium hydroxide? What is the difference/advantage?

For these 2 recipes they should be dosed in unison. therefore the calcium is supplemented and easier controlled using the calcium chloride solution. Adding calcium hydroxide will not add ca and carbonate in the proper calcification ratio.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

@Randy Holmes-Farley why do you recommend sodium hydroxide over calcium hydroxide? What is the difference/advantage?

I don’t recommend one over the other. Calcium hydroxide is great, and I used it for 20 years, but it has severe solubility limitations that limit how much alk and calcium can be added in a day, based on the evaporation rate.

Sodium hydroxide/calcium chloride has no solubility limitations, so can be used on systems with higher demand than calcium hydroxide can supply.

 

[jackintheboxfish]

I’ve been wanting to try out sodium hydroxide to improve my PH but the fact that it’s a lot more dangerous than the others to handle is what’s making me hesitant

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

That’s a reasonable consideration if you are not confident in handling chemicals.

 

[Fishfinder]

I don’t recommend one over the other. Calcium hydroxide is great, and I used it for 20 years, but it has severe solubility limitations that limit how much alk and calcium can be added in a day, based on the evaporation rate.

Sodium hydroxide/calcium chloride has no solubility limitations, so can be used on systems with higher demand than calcium hydroxide can supply.

So solubility limits is the main reason. That makes perfect sense. Thank you!

 

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

I’ve been wanting to try out sodium hydroxide to improve my PH but the fact that it’s a lot more dangerous than the others to handle is what’s making me hesitant

I can tell you from a “Friend’s” experience. Don’t wear shorts and flip flops when making this stuff. Especially not in the hot summer months when you perhaps, I mean when my “friend” perhaps is sweating creating a wet location for the bouncing white beads to stick to. Oh yeah, try not to spill any, they bounce all over the place. Just a friendly PSA.

 

[jackintheboxfish]

I can tell you from a “Friend’s” experience. Don’t wear shorts and flip flops when making this stuff. Especially not in the hot summer months when you perhaps, I mean when my “friend” perhaps is sweating creating a wet location for the bouncing white beads to stick to. Oh yeah, try not to spill any, they bounce all over the place. Just a friendly PSA.

your “friend” really deserves your username

 

[KTTX]

So what Calcium Chloride are you buying for DIY?

 

[Fishfinder]

Do you know how many grams of Magnesium chloride hexahydrate per 500 grams calcium chloride (1gal of solution)??

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Do you know how many grams of Magnesium chloride hexahydrate per 500 grams calcium chloride (1gal of solution)??

To do what?

 

[Fishfinder]

To do what?

Do make the different parts proportional for consumption. It says 500g of calcium chloride, 283g of sodium hydroxide, how many grams of magnesium would be proportionally correct for consumption?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Do make the different parts proportional for consumption. It says 500g of calcium chloride, 283g of sodium hydroxide, how many grams of magnesium would be proportionally correct for consumption?

That depends on what is consuming it. A coralline heavy tank will use proportionally more magnesium than a coral heavy tank. That is why RMM has a range:

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/just-say-no-to-magnesium-testing-rmm-is-born.1017528/
The original recipe is given in post 1 of this thread. Make the magnesium solution and dose 610 mL per gallon of the other two.

 

[Fishfinder]

I see that now. Thank you

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I see that now. Thank you

You're welcome.

Happy reefing!

 

[Fishfinder]

Why in the first reciepe is it 3 cups epsom and 5 cups of hexahydrate.

Then later in the thread it says to use 3/4 cup of epsom and 7 1/4 cup of hexahydrate?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Why in the first reciepe is it 3 cups epsom and 5 cups of hexahydrate.

Then later in the thread it says to use 3/4 cup of epsom and 7 1/4 cup of hexahydrate?

Those are two different recipes for different scenarios.

The 3/4 and 7 1/4 is when it is a stand alone magnesium supplement, such as for use with kalkwasser or AFR.

The 3 and 5 is when you are using the recipes in post 1 of this thread where there is a lot of chloride coming from the calcium chloride. In that case, you want a lot less chloride and more sulfate in the magnesium part so that chloride does not rise over time and sulfate falls over time.

 

[Fishfinder]

Those are two different recipes for different scenarios.

The 3/4 and 7 1/4 is when it is a stand alone magnesium supplement, such as for use with kalkwasser or AFR.

The 3 and 5 is when you are using the recipes in post 1 of this thread where there is a lot of chloride coming from the calcium chloride. In that case, you want a lot less chloride and more sulfate in the magnesium part so that chloride does not rise over time and sulfate falls over time.

Thank you, Randy. Your knowledge is invaluable.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Thanks!

Happy Reefing!