What are you using for 2 part?

[pontiac2002gtp]

I was wondering what everyone was doing that uses 2 part. I have been using bulk reef supply but would like to find something cheaper. Would any food grade calcium chloride work or how about the peladow?

[Stanley-Reefer]

Kent CB here....

[sfsuphysics]

If you live in an area which frequents snow look for deicing products, be careful on the chemicals though they are not all the same. Dowflake is what BRS sells IIRC, they also sell an anhydrous pellet which if I remember correctly is basically what peladow is (just make sure to use less since it's more calcium chloride by weight).

Since it doesn't snow much here in San Francisco I swing by a pools supply store and pick up a product called "Hardness Plus" which is basically what Peladow is. For the alkalinity aspect can not beat CostCo's bag o' Arm & Hammer.

[Tangweed]

I just started using B-Ionic

[trueblackpercula]

I at one time used B-Ionic and thought it was great and it was. The only problem is that it was costing too much and i then tried randys home made two part and see the same results. So I make my Own two part and its more work but the savings are a no brainer. Try it out and see if you like it for a few months then try the B-ionic and see if you like it more. It seems to be the same thing almost but the B-Ionic does have some extra ingredents that you cant get from the home made two part.
hope this helps
Michael

[Stanley-Reefer]

The one gallon bottles of Kent run me about $40 to the door from dr f/s. They last me the better part of 2 months keeping both tanks.

I used B-ionic years ago--does it stll come concentrated and you have to top it off with RO when you open it?

Mixing my own is becoming more intriguing to me as I get more and more in depth.

[Chipie]

Bulk reef supply 2 part and magnesium for me.

[Logzor]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15025922#post15025922 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Stanley-Reefer
The one gallon bottles of Kent run me about $40 to the door from dr f/s. They last me the better part of 2 months keeping both tanks.

I used B-ionic years ago--does it stll come concentrated and you have to top it off with RO when you open it?

Mixing my own is becoming more intriguing to me as I get more and more in depth.

Its sounds confusing but there really is not much depth at all. It is like buying powdered Jello rather than pre-made jello cups.

I switched to the DIY two-part some time ago and it is fantastic.

[Stanley-Reefer]

For me it's depth trying to make something I'm having success with in purchasing:D

[A.VOID]

Arm & Hammer
+
Dowflake Ca

Cost about $.50 for every 2 gallons. Maybe less

[trueblackpercula]

Well i would say that the arm and hammer cost me $2 bucks to make 2 gallons
michael

[x2uranium]

trueblack, they have the huge arm and hammers for like $4 in the grocery store. they make alot more than 2 gallons.

[trueblackpercula]

Yhea i know but i was lazy so i picked it up at the local store :( But yes if i had gone to the supermarket i would have gotton a better deal. But in anycase a buck a gallon aint bad.
Michael

[scottallert]

anyone have a thread or can elaborate on this arm and hammer mix diy

[trueblackpercula]

here ya go
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php

[graveyardworm]

Randy's improved two part, baking soda from supermarket, Dow, and Mag flake in 50# quantity from local hardware store. Way way way cheaper than BRS.

[spleify]

Yep I use Randys two part also. Been pretty happy with it.

[plyle02]

I use Oceans Blend for CA/ALK... I have used their Mag in the past, but have switched to BW's mag, which is all the other stuff I use in my tank... OB has been a very quality product for me...
GL

[n8rad]

prestone driveway de-icer and baking soda here! no problems or complaints and corals are growing like crazy with great color!

[ngn8dogg]

i use arm and hammer for alk and bought calcium from a pool store for 10 bucks and has lasted a long time. Would have used dow flake but cant find it in my area

[Elan L.]

I am using up the last of my BRS and going to Randy's Two Part

[moo0o]

are all soda ash made equal? i plan on just buying the soda ash and hardness plus from the pool store but want to make sure soda ash is the same soda ash that BRS sells.

[reefer31]

I use seachem reef buffer and calcium. Not sure if its working great for me, but I did use bionic for some time in my other tank and it worked pretty well. Im looking at bulk reef supply for 2 part and mag supplements it looks pretty tempting.

[mr. pluto]

are all soda ash made equal? i plan on just buying the soda ash and hardness plus from the pool store but want to make sure soda ash is the same soda ash that BRS sells.

just bake arm & hammer for 1 hr. charles, i wouldn't want to be the crash test dummy.

[RobbyVonAwesome]

Technically it's 3-part, but I use DT's.

[Justin74]

Be careful with baking the arm&hammer, especially if you use kalk! The high pH can be too high for those with normal pH levels, me being one. Now I just use it straight(unbaked) without any problems.

-Justin

[slow_leak]

I use Soda ash and top of with Geo Kalk reactor. pH is always 8.2 to 8.4. High pH is more of the exception in this hobby. You might have a lot of evaporation.

[slow_leak]

Bulk Reef stated they have a new supplier of calcium chloride and magnesium chloride. Both are pharmaceutical grade salts in dihydrate form and won't melt you jugs anymore. The new recipe is 2 1/2 cups per gallon and turns crystal clear.

Source of salts are confidential but they are used in dialysis and claimed to be very pure. Will cost a little more but no need to stockpile.

[swjim]

Bulk Reef Supply. Works great.

[Pawky]

I'm using B-Ionic but will probably make my own when the B-Ionic runs out.