Homemade two part ca/alk question

gflat65 · 11/19/2006, 05:47 PM

Do I have to mix with water, or can I just dose similarly to the Seachem Reef Builder (or whatever the alk part in power form is called). I'm cooking the baking soda now... If it is best to dissolve the baking soda in water, how much would I expect to add at a time (just to get a baseline)? I add three extra heaping tablespoons of dry alk-part every other day (Seachem).

TIA

Sir Knight · 11/19/2006, 06:02 PM

It is usually mixed with ro/di water in gallon jugs. Two cups per gallon for the Baking soda. If you are baking the baking soda this would mean that your Ph is low. If it isn't I would recommend not baking it. When baking you are creating soda wash. The reason for not using soda wash is because of impurities.
Baking soda is food grade where as soda wash isn't.

You do the same for the Cal part except you use one cup of dow flakes per gallon of RO/DI and don't bake.

As far as how much to add, that will depend on your tanks needs.

crumbletop · 11/19/2006, 06:04 PM

To make Randy's two-part (alk) you need to mix the baked baking soda with water. 2 1/4 c per gallon if memory serves. You can calculate how much you need to add using this calculator:

http://jdieck1.home.comcast.net/chemcalc.html

I'm not sure how the two-part alk liquid compares to the seachem alk buffer in terms of how much you add.

crumbletop · 11/19/2006, 06:09 PM

I double checked just to make sure. It's two cups per gallon of the dowflake (Ca), and 2 1/4 c of baking soda (baked) for the alk (for recipe #1, low pH). Here is the link

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php

Don't forget the Mg too.

cee · 11/19/2006, 07:29 PM

If you mix 2.25 cups (or a 1 lb. box plus 1/2 cup) of baked baking soda into a gallon of RO/DI water, then 71 mL of the saturated solution will raise 100 gallons of water 1 dKH. That's just under 5 tablespoons, BTW, and that's how I remember it. Everything else is proportional.

Dave

Pickupman66 · 11/19/2006, 08:22 PM

hey, I am having a terrible time keeping my alk in check. it is always low. Ca is over 500ppm, ph at 8.2. will part of this recepie work. I really dont want to add more CA to the tank, just a good way to maintain alk. also, I really need a good kit. the seachem one I have just gives ranges and not actually meg/l.

boofer · 11/19/2006, 08:59 PM

Gary, No you dont have to mix with water, you can just use the baked baking soda like the Seachem...use the calculator to figure out the difference (if any) to dose between the 2. Same thing with the Dowflake also.

Pickupman66- Yes, just dose the alk (version 2 since you ph is already good) till your CA comes down to where you want it or just use regular baking soda. Every Seachem kit ive used gives you meq/l....you sure its a Seachem kit?

Pickupman66 · 11/19/2006, 09:27 PM

sorry red sea kit. I need to buck up and get a better one. I have been too lazy with it lately, so I have been slowly bringing it up with some seachem reef buffer.

so I can just use regular baking soda added just like I add the buffer? how cool is that. and way cheaper.

Sir Knight · 11/19/2006, 09:34 PM

Here is a link to the 2 part additive and a couple of different videos that I just found maybe of some use to some of you

http://www.reefvideos.com/

Some pretty good stuff.

gflat65 · 11/20/2006, 05:12 PM

Thanks for all the good info and links

.

gflat65 · 11/20/2006, 05:18 PM

Ahhh. Found an issue with the calculator. I am trying to compare liquid to powder... Time to put on the math cap...

turboex901 · 11/20/2006, 05:24 PM

gary, this has always been something that intrigues me but until i see someone else do it im too scared to try on my own. im a visual learner

maybe we could discuss this at a future meeting? it would save us big tank folks a TON of money. <~~~steve

gflat65 · 11/20/2006, 05:54 PM

Steve,

It's really easy. You just have to find some Dow Flake (many use the Prestone Driveway Heat, but some have found Dowflake) and some baking soda. You don;t have to cook the baking soda, but I did because my pH runs a little low, anyway. That may change once I get my alk back up, but it may take the whole batch... If your pH is usually higher, you would just mix a gallon of water with a predetermined amount of powder (2 or 2.25 cups). Definitely worth a look at a meeting.

foggy54 · 11/20/2006, 09:56 PM

Steve,

Come to the Dec. meeting and I'll hook you up, I have some Dow Flake so you can try it out.........

turboex901 · 11/20/2006, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by foggy54
Steve,

Come to the Dec. meeting and I'll hook you up, I have some Dow Flake so you can try it out.........

sounds like a deal! im quite anxious to check this out. me and my wife are def. coming, weve heard wonderful things about youre tanks. were really excited to check them out<~~~steve

gflat65 · 11/21/2006, 08:12 AM

What's funny is that the display is upstairs in the wall, but most of us end up hanging out in the basement around the other tanks for a good part of the night, like its the man room or something

. I guess that's cause that's where the frags are. Sharks circling...

11/19/2006, 06:04 PM	#3
crumbletop Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 4,725	To make Randy's two-part (alk) you need to mix the baked baking soda with water. 2 1/4 c per gallon if memory serves. You can calculate how much you need to add using this calculator: http://jdieck1.home.comcast.net/chemcalc.html I'm not sure how the two-part alk liquid compares to the seachem alk buffer in terms of how much you add. __________________ "Misers get up early in the morning; and burglars, I am informed, get up the night before." - GK Chesterton Current Tank Info: 90 gallon AGA RR. 20 gal sump. 6x54W T5. AquaController Jr.

11/19/2006, 06:09 PM	#4
crumbletop Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 4,725	I double checked just to make sure. It's two cups per gallon of the dowflake (Ca), and 2 1/4 c of baking soda (baked) for the alk (for recipe #1, low pH). Here is the link http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php Don't forget the Mg too. __________________ "Misers get up early in the morning; and burglars, I am informed, get up the night before." - GK Chesterton Current Tank Info: 90 gallon AGA RR. 20 gal sump. 6x54W T5. AquaController Jr.

11/19/2006, 07:29 PM	#5
cee Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: popping by Posts: 4,054	If you mix 2.25 cups (or a 1 lb. box plus 1/2 cup) of baked baking soda into a gallon of RO/DI water, then 71 mL of the saturated solution will raise 100 gallons of water 1 dKH. That's just under 5 tablespoons, BTW, and that's how I remember it. Everything else is proportional. Dave __________________ "keeping low doesn't make no sense -- sometimes people can be oh so dense" Charles Thompson IV Current Tank Info: Solano mini-tank

11/19/2006, 08:22 PM	#6
Pickupman66 It is what it is!!! Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Winchester, TN Posts: 3,410	hey, I am having a terrible time keeping my alk in check. it is always low. Ca is over 500ppm, ph at 8.2. will part of this recepie work. I really dont want to add more CA to the tank, just a good way to maintain alk. also, I really need a good kit. the seachem one I have just gives ranges and not actually meg/l. __________________ What a Pretty day to stick your head in your tank and stare at your corals. 10+ years reef keeping experience in old school simplistic ways. Current Tank Info: 180 Glass Cages with 150 gal sump powered by Barracuda. MRC-MR2 Skimmer, CR5 Reactor, Custom LED lighting, Dart powered CL, EcoBak Pellets, ReefKeeper Elite Control system

11/19/2006, 08:59 PM	#7
boofer Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bartlett,Tn Posts: 1,014	Gary, No you dont have to mix with water, you can just use the baked baking soda like the Seachem...use the calculator to figure out the difference (if any) to dose between the 2. Same thing with the Dowflake also. Pickupman66- Yes, just dose the alk (version 2 since you ph is already good) till your CA comes down to where you want it or just use regular baking soda. Every Seachem kit ive used gives you meq/l....you sure its a Seachem kit? __________________ It can always be worse.. Current Tank Info: 110gal rubble bottom reef

11/19/2006, 05:47 PM	#1
gflat65 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Montgomery, Al Posts: 8,718	Homemade two part ca/alk question Do I have to mix with water, or can I just dose similarly to the Seachem Reef Builder (or whatever the alk part in power form is called). I'm cooking the baking soda now... If it is best to dissolve the baking soda in water, how much would I expect to add at a time (just to get a baseline)? I add three extra heaping tablespoons of dry alk-part every other day (Seachem). TIA __________________ Was it for this my life I sought... Maybe so Maybe not.

11/19/2006, 06:02 PM	#2
Sir Knight Awaiting Email Confirmation Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: TN Posts: 1,507	It is usually mixed with ro/di water in gallon jugs. Two cups per gallon for the Baking soda. If you are baking the baking soda this would mean that your Ph is low. If it isn't I would recommend not baking it. When baking you are creating soda wash. The reason for not using soda wash is because of impurities. Baking soda is food grade where as soda wash isn't. You do the same for the Cal part except you use one cup of dow flakes per gallon of RO/DI and don't bake. As far as how much to add, that will depend on your tanks needs.

11/19/2006, 09:27 PM	#8
Pickupman66 It is what it is!!! Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Winchester, TN Posts: 3,410	sorry red sea kit. I need to buck up and get a better one. I have been too lazy with it lately, so I have been slowly bringing it up with some seachem reef buffer. so I can just use regular baking soda added just like I add the buffer? how cool is that. and way cheaper. __________________ What a Pretty day to stick your head in your tank and stare at your corals. 10+ years reef keeping experience in old school simplistic ways. Current Tank Info: 180 Glass Cages with 150 gal sump powered by Barracuda. MRC-MR2 Skimmer, CR5 Reactor, Custom LED lighting, Dart powered CL, EcoBak Pellets, ReefKeeper Elite Control system

11/19/2006, 09:34 PM	#9
Sir Knight Awaiting Email Confirmation Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: TN Posts: 1,507	Here is a link to the 2 part additive and a couple of different videos that I just found maybe of some use to some of you http://www.reefvideos.com/ Some pretty good stuff.

11/20/2006, 05:12 PM	#10
gflat65 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Montgomery, Al Posts: 8,718	Thanks for all the good info and links. __________________ Was it for this my life I sought... Maybe so Maybe not.

11/20/2006, 05:18 PM	#11
gflat65 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Montgomery, Al Posts: 8,718	Ahhh. Found an issue with the calculator. I am trying to compare liquid to powder... Time to put on the math cap... __________________ Was it for this my life I sought... Maybe so Maybe not.

11/20/2006, 05:24 PM	#12
turboex901 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Cordova, TN Posts: 707	gary, this has always been something that intrigues me but until i see someone else do it im too scared to try on my own. im a visual learner maybe we could discuss this at a future meeting? it would save us big tank folks a TON of money. <~~~steve __________________ 75 gal. RR, 2x250w halides, euro reef cs6-1, lots of sps and a wrasse obsession 44 gallon corner- angler tank 3 gallon pico- zoa and sexy shrimp habitat Current Tank Info: 75 gallon and all the usual suspects

11/20/2006, 05:54 PM	#13
gflat65 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Montgomery, Al Posts: 8,718	Steve, It's really easy. You just have to find some Dow Flake (many use the Prestone Driveway Heat, but some have found Dowflake) and some baking soda. You don;t have to cook the baking soda, but I did because my pH runs a little low, anyway. That may change once I get my alk back up, but it may take the whole batch... If your pH is usually higher, you would just mix a gallon of water with a predetermined amount of powder (2 or 2.25 cups). Definitely worth a look at a meeting. __________________ Was it for this my life I sought... Maybe so Maybe not.

11/20/2006, 09:56 PM	#14
foggy54 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Cunningham/Clarksville Posts: 1,133	Steve, Come to the Dec. meeting and I'll hook you up, I have some Dow Flake so you can try it out......... __________________ John Current Tank Info: 110 display sps tank m/h & vho lites, 180 softy tank, & 58 gal frag tank.

11/21/2006, 08:12 AM	#16
gflat65 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Montgomery, Al Posts: 8,718	What's funny is that the display is upstairs in the wall, but most of us end up hanging out in the basement around the other tanks for a good part of the night, like its the man room or something. I guess that's cause that's where the frags are. Sharks circling... __________________ Was it for this my life I sought... Maybe so Maybe not.