Second New DIY Two Part Recipe with Higher pH Boost

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Ok, let us know how it goes. :)

 

[trupai]

Ok, let us know how it goes. :)

I've been doing this for a while now. I increase the calcium supplement level and reach the required values, but in the moment I equalize the fluid dosage, the calcium drops. Additionally, I only add 200ml of phyto per day.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I've been doing this for a while now. I increase the calcium supplement level and reach the required values, but in the moment I equalize the fluid dosage, the calcium drops. Additionally, I only add 200ml of phyto per day.

I’d just stick with whatever stabilize calcium. :)

 

[bcarl77]

Hi All,

Battling low pH from high home Co2 levels and looking to this as a remedy. A few questions. 1) The dosage in terms of required solution to achieve a total 1dKH increase in Alkalinity is the same as the Soda Ash recipe?

Is mixing (with precautions noted) generally safe mixed in a home depot 5 gallon bucket (with acrylic rod) then stored in a BRS jug? Or is mixing safe in the BRS jug?

Does anyone dose sodium hydroxide and limewater (dosed separately) to the same system? For example, Sodium hydroxide at night, limewater during day?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Yes, potency is the same.

Yes, you can use kalk at the same time.

Sodium hydroxide gets very hot when dissolving. Do it slowly. Here’s a thread on it:

https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/how-i-mix-sodium-hydroxide.1119/

 

[bcarl77]

Has anyone stored in a BRS mixing jug? Not sure what that plastic is?

Other than vinegar jugs any other common safe storage and or mixing vessels?

 

[KStatefan]

Has anyone stored in a BRS mixing jug? Not sure what that plastic is?

Other than vinegar jugs any other common safe storage and or mixing vessels?

I store in these and mix in a large beaker

 

[Rshahnyc]

Not to discourage any diy efforts but NAF has a sodium hydroxide based 2part with traces accounted for. It comes in pre measured and easy to mix solutions and you can buy it with the containers as well

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Has anyone stored in a BRS mixing jug? Not sure what that plastic is?

Other than vinegar jugs any other common safe storage and or mixing vessels?

Anything made of polyethylene or polypropylene or glass is fine. Look for recycle codes if needed.

 

[KTTX]

I’ve been using Randy’s sodium hydroxide 3 part that Miami posted. And Miami helped get me going with it. I couldn’t be happier with it. I only dose through the night. Starting at 10pm-10am. Ph never gets below 8.15 at night and keeps it around 8.45 during the day. Alk is around 8.2 - 8.3 Calcium stays pretty solid around 425-435 and mag is around 1425. I dose with the traces added and do a total dose of 80ml per night. It’s an acro dominated tank with some lps and softies scattered throughout.

What traces were added?

 

[KTTX]

That should be balanced enough to not drop in calcium, as long as there are no other alk sources being added ( nitrate dosing, tap water, etc).

In any case, I’d just up the calcium dosed. I don’t think there is any in tank reason for that effect, but perhaps the solid calcium has additional moisture in it, etc.

You aren’t using Red Sea Coral pro salt are you? It may have excessive alk relative to calcium.

So 1:1 is not mandatory? If you dose 24 ml alk, tou should does 24 ml Calcium. But sometimes its okay to not be 1:1?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

So 1:1 is not mandatory? If you dose 24 ml alk, tou should does 24 ml Calcium. But sometimes its okay to not be 1:1?

It is sometimes ok to not use 1:1. What scenario are you considering? Calcium testing is not accurate enough to keep jiggering the calcium dose.

 

[KTTX]

It is sometimes ok to not use 1:1. What scenario are you considering? Calcium testing is not accurate enough to keep jiggering the calcium dose.

If I dosed 24 ml in Alk, and dose 24 ml in Calcium my calcium is over 550. Alk around 8.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

If I dosed 24 ml in Alk, and dose 24 ml in Calcium my calcium is over 550. Alk around 8.

Exactly what recipe are you using and how did you make it? Perhaps you are using a calcium chloride with less than the expected moisture in it.

If you have confidence in the calcium kit (what brand is it?) and you see that high value over time, then it’s fine to slow or stop the calcium.

 

[KTTX]

Exactly what recipe are you using and how did you make it? Perhaps you are using a calcium chloride with less than the expected moisture in it.

If you have confidence in the calcium kit (what brand is it?) and you see that high value over time, then it’s fine to slow or stop the calcium.

Im using old recipes.

Calcium: Using 500g Calcium Chloride with 262g Mag Chloride.

Alk: Using 69g Sodium Sulfate with 283g of Sodium Hydroxide.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Im using old recipes.

Calcium: Using 500g Calcium Chloride with 262g Mag Chloride.

Alk: Using 69g Sodium Sulfate with 283g of Sodium Hydroxide.

What type of calcium chloride?

 

[KTTX]

What type of calcium chloride?

Its this one...food grade.
https://a.co/d/06rhY00c

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Its this one...food grade.
https://a.co/d/06rhY00c

It doesn't actually say whether it is anhydrous or a hydrate, but based on people's reviews on it absorbing moisture very well, I suspect it may be anhydrous, in which case it makes sense calcium is rising because that material contains more calcium per gram than the recipe is designed for..

While the current values are OK, it's also fine to let calcium fall and then restart using, say, 15 or 20% less calcium than alk.

 

[KTTX]

It doesn't actually say whether it is anhydrous or a hydrate, but based on people's reviews on it absorbing moisture very well, I suspect it may be anhydrous, in which case it makes sense calcium is rising because that material contains more calcium per gram than the recipe is designed for..

While the current values are OK, it's also fine to let calcium fall and then restart using, say, 15 or 20% less calcium than alk.

More than likely I will look for another cheaper option since this increased a good amount in the last few months.

If anyone knows of something, please post it here. Thanks

 

[KTTX]

It doesn't actually say whether it is anhydrous or a hydrate, but based on people's reviews on it absorbing moisture very well, I suspect it may be anhydrous, in which case it makes sense calcium is rising because that material contains more calcium per gram than the recipe is designed for..

While the current values are OK, it's also fine to let calcium fall and then restart using, say, 15 or 20% less calcium than alk.

Thanks Randy.