Anyone use Randy's 3 part?

[fragaholic]

I tried to call some hardware stores up the mountain a little bit (colfax, auburn, etc) in hopes they carry Dowflake and Mag flake as deicers but no one does.
Could anyone help me out and suggest where I can get these two ingredients for the Randy's recipe? I assume shipping would be pricey so thats why I was looking more locally, I don't mind driving up 80.

With more and more SPS frags i've been getting, B-ionic is getting expensive!

-thanks

[user48953]

Might want to check John at YourReef.. saw a 25 lb bag in his garage on Sat.. i have some left as reserve, but have to check to see how much i actually have left.

[Reefugee]

Maybe it's time for a group buy on DowFlake and Mag Flake. I found MagFlake online for $50 (shipped) for 50lb. I wish there was someplace local we can get it from. I might try stopping by my local Ace to see if they can get it. :D

Minh

[fragaholic]

thanks guys!

xdroccax, the Elias is doing good. The base is already starting to encrust :eek1: Im really excited about that piece!

[Mr. Ugly]

I've gotten Dowflake from:

www.buckeyefieldsupply.com

It was ~$15 for 8lbs shipped to Alameda.

I could go for some Magflake. Minh, where did you find it online?

thx!

[Reefugee]

Geeze... you have to ask me. Let me see if I can find it and get back to you. It was one of the more common place. It was $50 for 50 lb shipped to my home address.

[Reefugee]

http://www.harveysalt.com/prod01.htm

[fragaholic]

I just found that link too! Anyone want to split a 50lb bag with me?

[thereefgeek]

Why are you using, and where do you get the Mag Flake? The link below uses epsom salts (which is what I'm using: 1500 ppm Mg tested yesterday).
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/april2004/chem.htm

I'd be interested in the Dow Flake, but 50 lbs is a bit much for me to use in one lifetime! Group buy to split bags?

[thereefgeek]

Just noticed Mag Flake is MgCl. Epsom Salt is MgSO4. Randy states that the sulfide part of the formula doesn't affect anything, but now I'm currious. Any links to using MgCL for magnesium supliment?

[fragaholic]

I have been using plain epsom salt as well, am just worried about the sulfate build up in my system. Have you read this article...
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php

Randy explains the build up of sulfates using different water change regimins. The new improved recipe does not affect the systems ionic balance.

[duec22]

I was about to link that article. Down toward the bottom he gives two charts of what the element concentrations would be after 1 years use between the two different Mg suppliments. I don't use MgSO4 at work, so I'd been down for splitting a bad with some people. Even 1 lb. would probably last me forever.

[Reefugee]

Hey Rich,

I could have sworn that I read that Epson salt in not recommended if you are raising your Mg concentration by a large amount or long term use. There were some concern about raising the sulfate ion concentration. Randy Holmes recommend a 10:1 mix of MgCl and MgSO4.

I am currently using the ESV B Ionic to raise my Mg level. It was at about 900. I added about half a gallon so far, and my Mg level is about 1150 or so. I would consider using Mag Flake if there is a group buy on it.

Minh

[CaliforniaDreamer]

If there will be a group buy of MagFlake or DowFlake or both I would be in for it. In fact if others are interested I could use Minh's link and order both (they seem to have both DowFlake and MagFlake). I could then distribute at next meeting in May (kind of a long way off) or at WMC2006 (you have signed up haven't you - Rich made me say that).

[JahReefster]

I'd be interested in participating in a group buy for both. Like others, I'm not interested in a 10-years' supply.

Fred

[thereefgeek]

Likewise, I'd be up for getting in on some of that.

[fragaholic]

That sounds good CaliforniaDreamer, im in if theres a group buy as well.
Maybe 5 people? So each would get 10lbs of both dow and mag flake.

anyone else in?

[fragaholic]

Oh ^^^ didnt see your posts guys.
Would 10 pounds each be okay with everyone whos intrested?

[rutledgek]

Look into other companies that make Calcium Chloride. I had the hardest time finding dow flake or peladow but then I contacted a few other companys that I found made calcium chloride. THe company that makes quick Joe ice melt is just repackaged peladow. I just through I would throw that out there.

[Reefugee]

Hey John,

How soon do you anticipate on making the group purchase? I guess I am a little desparate for Mag Flake and Dow Flake. I may just order another bottle of EVS Mg B-Ionic or go purchase some Epson salt. Any good place to order Epson Salt in large quantity? I saw Walmart have small boxes of salt - but nothing large.

Thanks
Minh

[CaliforniaDreamer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7015418#post7015418 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mn95616
Hey John,

How soon do you anticipate on making the group purchase? I guess I am a little desparate for Mag Flake and Dow Flake. I may just order another bottle of EVS Mg B-Ionic or go purchase some Epson salt. Any good place to order Epson Salt in large quantity? I saw Walmart have small boxes of salt - but nothing large.

Thanks
Minh

I have talked to a local company this morning about getting it but they haven't call back yet with pricing. It looks like they carry it. Do you know if Tech grade is good enough or should we be using USP grade? I have asked for prices for both, but it looks like Randy was specifying Tech grade. I'll let you know prices and availability as soon as I hear.

[thereefgeek]

I thought the Mg (epsom) was listed as USP grade in that old article I linked.

Epsom Salts sold in drug stores is generally labeled USP, which stands for United States Pharmacopoeia, and is an assurance that it is suitable for consumption by people.

I'd assume that means for consumption in a reef tank also.

[CaliforniaDreamer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7015580#post7015580 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by thereefgeek
I thought the Mg (epsom) was listed as USP grade in that old article I linked.



I'd assume that means for consumption in a reef tank also.

You are quite right Rich; however to the best of my knowledge DowFlake and MagFlake are Tech grade chemicals. My concern is that Randy was able to test and a lot of people have used those products. If what the local supplier has available are re-bagged or re-branded Tech grade MgCl2 and CaCl2 will we know if it is appropriate for reef tanks?

[Mr. Ugly]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7015418#post7015418 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mn95616
Any good place to order Epson Salt in large quantity? I saw Walmart have small boxes of salt - but nothing large.

Thanks
Minh Minh,

I got some 6lb bags from Walgreens last week. On sale for $3 each. I've gotten 4lb boxes from Safeway before too.

[Reefugee]

That Norman. I will stop by Walgreen and pick some up. :D I guess I will dose my tank with Epson salt until we can do a group buy on the Mag Flake. Thanks again.

Minh

[H20Sidhe]

I am also interested in the mag flake, and if I need to get dow flake to be in on the group buy, then I'll do that too. Let me know please.
Thanks,

Sherie

[CaliforniaDreamer]

Hi guys and gals, my plan is to try to find a good source for MgCl2 and CaCl2. If and when I do I (unless someone else wants to do it) will start a new thread for the group buy. I would prefer to get DowFlake and MagFlake as it is what Randy used in his formulas and seems the safest to use. Based on the response for the group buy thread I will buy and repackage the Magnesium and Calcium chlorides into the sizes everyone wants (5 or 10 pound portions). As I mentioned before I have contacted a local source but still haven't heard back as to pricing and availability. I will call them tomorrow if I don't hear back by sometime in the morning. If they can’t supply our needs I will contact some of the suppliers that Randy lists in his article and do internet searches. I will also contact the companies in the links already in this thread. If anyone else knows of a good source please let me know (post in this thread). I am not trying to find a source for sodium bicarbonate (I use arm and hammer) or for Epsom salt (readily available locally in small quantities). I would appreciate any comments as to how to proceed or advice on my attempt at my first group buy.

Thanks John

[Reefugee]

John,

I checked with Ace Hardware in Davis. They were unable to find it. They suggested that I check with an Ace Hardware in Reno. Called a Reno store and they could get it either.

Minh

[JahReefster]

John, I'm in. Your idea sounds good to me; thanks for taking the lead on this. From what I can see on line Minh's source seems to be the best we can do. Rather a pity: the cost iseems to be not for the actual product itself, but the shipping because of all the weight involved (about a 1:4 ratio if I recall correctly).

[CaliforniaDreamer]

Ok I heard back from a local source (kind of they are in the bay area but have a West Sac warehouse) and they can supply DowFlake for $17 per 50lb bag + tax, however they don't have MagFlake nor another bulk MgCl2. The company is called UniVar (I got the info from Robert -RasBobre- some time ago). There is some hassle getting it because I have to set up an account with them and deal with the bay area office but the price is very good and it looks doable. I will continue the search for MagFlake and let you know what I find out.