Mixing Your Own Dosing Liquids

[OnTheReef]

Hey Reefers!

Do any of you mix your own Alk, Ca and Mg for dosing?

Randy Holmes-Farley Improved Two Part
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php

BRS Additive Kits
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/calcium-alkalinity-trace-elements/brs.html

 

[Ibn]

I just mixed some more Ca earlier today since I ran out. Still using some of the last BRS stuff before they switched it over to Pharma.

I use an electronic, unheated, mixer for the chems so that I don't have to do it manually.

 

[Bruce Spiegelman]

I manually mix for one tank. The other I'm switching over to the Triton method.

 

[Flagg37]

Brs products used here. Like @Ibn I use the pre pharma stuff. I’ve got their soda ash and the Ca but I mostly use their kalkwasser.

 

[dochou]

Is the Pharma stuff not as good as brs?

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

 

[Flagg37]

Is the Pharma stuff not as good as brs?

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

Brs just rolled out it’s new pharmaceutical grade stuff to replace their regular stuff and it’s definitely more expensive but I’m not so sure that it’s really any better.

 

[rygh]

I started with BRS, then changed the mixing formula:

1) I cut the amount to mix roughly in half.
Mixes easier, less precipitation and settline, and a bit of extra water does not matter.

2) I tweaked to come out even.
No fancy partial cup/etc measurements needed.

1 box of baking soda to 1.5 gallons water.
1 cup calcium to 1.5 gallons water.

The ratio does not really matter as long as you adjust to it, then keep mixture and dosing consistent.

 

[Chromis]

According to Seachem for alk some people prefer a mix of sodium carbonate (soda ash) and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) because baking soda alone can lower pH. I use their product and can attest pH stays pretty stable around 8.3. I haven’t tried baking soda alone though to see if it makes a difference.