What calcium chloride product is everyone using for 2 part CA dosing?

[Greenstarfish03]

I have been using Randy's 2 part recipe for as longa s I can remember and I bought a bag of Calcium Chloride at a pool store moire then 10 years ago that I poured into a bucket that I have been using forever. Everything has been working great, but I ran out the other day and now I don't remember the brand product I was using. I looked up the cost of BSR's product but it was $199 for what I probably paid 20 for last time so I'm in search of a good source that has wroked for others. I remember the original post by Randy mentioned Dowflakes. IS that still a good option or are there other prefered brands that may produce less precipitate these days.

I appreciate everyones input. Its been so long since Ive had to buy the stuff. It makes me a little nervous switching.

Thanks

 

[Saltyreef]

The original dow flakes are almost impossible to find. Trust me i searched for a long time when i went down the DIY route. Scouring SDS's of EVERYTHING!
Its really hit and miss for finding stuff without additives in it now days.

The best thing i did find locally was fragrence free damprid refills from home depot/lowes. It comes in like a 2lb bag and isnt crazy expensive.

But, you might be looking at the wrong product because a large 7lb bag of USP grade calcium chloride from BRS is only $39.99.
I use all brs additives now besides magnesium sulfate in my mag mix (usp grade from walmart is $1/lb)
The small amount of extra cost is waaaaay worth the peace of mind.

Bulk Pharma Calcium Chloride 7 Pounds

Bulk Pharma Calcium Chloride - Ultra Pure Calcium Additive for your Reef Tank! Bulk Reef Supply 2-part additives are the perfect solution to replenish the intake of calcium and alkalinity coral consumes when it grows. Using only pharmaceutical based ingredients allows you to keep a cleaner reef...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

 

[Genetics]

Picked up something that looks promising at the local Ace. Data sheet shows 94-97% calcium chloride, 2-3% KCl. Won’t know for sure until I start using this next month.

 

[DCR]

Prestone Driveway Heat is supposed to be a good source and available at Walmart.

 

[rtparty]

BRS 2 part

 

[Saltyreef]

Prestone Driveway Heat is supposed to be a good source and available at Walmart.

I stopped doing diy 2 parts with non usp ingredients as i like knowing exactly whats in my materials. I found too much of this in the sds.
I used prestone driveway heat and it mixes a gross tint of yellow and had quite a bit of undissolved sediment on the bottom that looked like dirt, whereas all my usp ingredients come out clear.

 

[DrMMI]

I just picked this up. Haven't opened the bag yet so I can't comment on how clear it mixes but it's food grade and 94-97% pure.

Calcium Chloride FG

Anhydrous Calcium Chloride Food Grade is used in a wide variety of applications in the food industry and beyond.Animal Feed, Beverages, Brine Refrigeration, Canning, Deicer, Food Processing, Fruits & Vegetables, Pickling, Dust Control, Beer Making are just some!

level7chemical.com

 

[Big E]

I've used BRS, Dow Flake and Peladow and never noticed any difference in any of them from a positive or negative standpoint.

This is since 2008 on my dominant Acro systems.

 

[Greenstarfish03]

Is this different from the original dow flakes that Randy recommended?

 

[Greenstarfish03]

I've used BRS, Dow Flake and Peladow and never noticed any difference in any of them from a positive or negative standpoint.

This is since 2008 on my dominant Acro systems.

What are you currently using @Big E . I only ask bc I can't find what I was using for the last many years anymore.

 

[Greenstarfish03]

I just picked this up. Haven't opened the bag yet so I can't comment on how clear it mixes but it's food grade and 94-97% pure.

Calcium Chloride FG

Anhydrous Calcium Chloride Food Grade is used in a wide variety of applications in the food industry and beyond.Animal Feed, Beverages, Brine Refrigeration, Canning, Deicer, Food Processing, Fruits & Vegetables, Pickling, Dust Control, Beer Making are just some!

level7chemical.com

This seems like a possible good choice. It's not dow flakes cheap but 50lbs may be enough for rhe rest of my reefing life for 50 bucks. @DrMMI will you met me know how it looks after you mix a batch up?

 

[Greenstarfish03]

Prestone Driveway Heat is supposed to be a good source and available at Walmart.

Anything call driveway heat makes me qweezy but I've heard of amny people using it. I was hoping there was something a little cleaner I could buy in bulk now.

 

[Greenstarfish03]

Picked up something that looks promising at the local Ace. Data sheet shows 94-97% calcium chloride, 2-3% KCl. Won’t know for sure until I start using this next month.

Keep me posted on how that goes please.

 

[Greenstarfish03]

The original dow flakes are almost impossible to find. Trust me i searched for a long time when i went down the DIY route. Scouring SDS's of EVERYTHING!
Its really hit and miss for finding stuff without additives in it now days.

The best thing i did find locally was fragrence free damprid refills from home depot/lowes. It comes in like a 2lb bag and isnt crazy expensive.

But, you might be looking at the wrong product because a large 7lb bag of USP grade calcium chloride from BRS is only $39.99.
I use all brs additives now besides magnesium sulfate in my mag mix (usp grade from walmart is $1/lb)
The small amount of extra cost is waaaaay worth the peace of mind.

Bulk Pharma Calcium Chloride 7 Pounds

Bulk Pharma Calcium Chloride - Ultra Pure Calcium Additive for your Reef Tank! Bulk Reef Supply 2-part additives are the perfect solution to replenish the intake of calcium and alkalinity coral consumes when it grows. Using only pharmaceutical based ingredients allows you to keep a cleaner reef...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

This is the same stuff I looked at. A 7lb bag makes a little more rhen one bucket for me. I usually make 5 gallon batches at a time. The last bag I paid $20 for a 50lb bag which lasted for years. All of my other stuff in this hobby costs enough if I can save money on a product that does the same job then I try to. I think there are other products that can be found for a lot less but you just have to be more carefull. Thanks for the input if I don't find anything else I may end up going this direction. The larger bucket at brs equivalent to what I bought last time is 199 and in sale today for 169 compared to 20.

 

[gbroadbridge]

I simply use food grade cheesemaking CaCl3 and buy it in bulk.

Use it for Fish and Cheese

 

[Greenstarfish03]

I simply use food grade cheesemaking CaCl3 and buy it in bulk.

Use it for Fish and Cheese

Nice. Would u mind sending me a link to what you use? Hiw does it disolve?

 

[Greenstarfish03]

This seems like a possible good choice. It's not dow flakes cheap but 50lbs may be enough for rhe rest of my reefing life for 50 bucks. @DrMMI will you met me know how it looks after you mix a batch up?

Holly cow ground shipping is 113 dollars.

 

[Big E]

What are you currently using @Big E . I only ask bc I can't find what I was using for the last many years anymore.

I just bought a new bag of Peladow so I'm currently using that. As long as you can get a MSDS to view that isn't deemed specifically for reefkeeping you should be ok with other brands.

Yes, shipping will kill you from some independant places. I got my Peladow through Amazon. It's 54 with free shipping for a 50# bag.

If you don't have a large tank you may want to go with a 25# bag. The main reason being it can clump up over multiple years. I suspect even a 25# bag is going to last 2-3 years.

 

[Big E]

If you want to go with something at the higher end---

My friend uses the ESV concentrate and this lasts him about 2-3 years at 80mls daily. That may be a better option than BRS calcium chloride powder.

ESV has a great rep too and I think they have some trace elements added.

Last time I talked to him he said the concentrate is mixed with RO water so you get 5 gallons total I believe.

ESV Aquarium Products

Simplicity Beyond Complexity

www.esvaquarium.com

 

[Big E]

Here is the ESV powder so it's less than BRS.

ESV Calcium Chloride at the best price

ESV Calcium Chloride Maintaining proper calcium levels is essential to maintaining a healthy tank and promoting fast coral growth. ESV Calcium Chloride is a pure inorganic compound used to raise dissolved calcium levels in your tank.

www.aquacave.com

I would go with this if it was me and it would ease concern over purity for those who care.