Calcium Chloride

[bruce 1]

I read this post and started to post in this to ask but I just started a new one. http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=51580">http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=51580</a>

I have been testing my Calcium it is around 360ppm. I have mostly softies (with only 1 SPS) Everything looks find in the tank. But I talked to a few people and they said I need to keep my Ca up to 400ppm, and it will make my other stuff grow even better. A few told me to use Calcium Chloride [IMG]http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/products/calcium-alkalinity-magnesium/calcium-supplements-for-aquariums/1-gallon-bulk-calcium-chloride-for-aquariums.html">http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/products/calcium-alkalinity-magnesium/calcium-supplements-for-aquariums/1-gallon-bulk-calcium-chloride-for-aquariums.html</a>

and just add it 1 or 2 times per week. Would this work? Do any of you do this or use this?

I had talked to BRS and the then told me I would also need Sodium Bicarbonate. [IMG]http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/products/calcium-alkalinity-magnesium/alkalinity-supplements-for-aquariums/1-gallon-bulk-sodium-bicarbonate-for-aquariums.html">http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/products/calcium-alkalinity-magnesium/alkalinity-supplements-for-aquariums/1-gallon-bulk-sodium-bicarbonate-for-aquariums.html</a>

AND Magnesium Chloride Hexahydrate [IMG]http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/products/calcium-alkalinity-magnesium/magnesium-supplements-for-aquariums/1-gallon-bulk-magnesium-chloride-for-aquariums.html">http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/products/calcium-alkalinity-magnesium/magnesium-supplements-for-aquariums/1-gallon-bulk-magnesium-chloride-for-aquariums.html</a>

Why do I need both of these? I have read up on this some and Just do not understand.

Is all this stuff the same as 2 part? Does anyone use all this stuff? What would be the advantages/ Disadvantages? I am in a group buy thing right now from BRS and thought about ordering that stuff but if I do not need it I do not want to order it.

Thank you Bruce

 

[hackman72]

Calcium chloride is a product we use in the concrete business to heat concrete in the winter to keep it from freezing. It's the same stuff you find in Prestone's "Driveway Heat" ice melt. It's also the little white flakes used in those moisture absorbers. I checked the MSDS and contacted manufacturers. In the end, I didn't feel comfortable using it in my tank. And, I have access to literally tons of it for free.

 

[jhutto]

CC provides the growth engine for the the corals and the soda is the buffer. Must be used together. CC is what is in part 1 and soda bicar is part 2 of two part dosing.

 

[grouper therapy]

jhutto;593874 wrote: CC provides the growth engine for the the corals and the soda is the buffer. Must be used together. CC is what is in part 1 and soda bicar is part 2 of two part dosing.

Well done!!!

 

[jcook54]

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-06/rhf/index.php">http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-06/rhf/index.php</a>

I printed this article out and it's helped me understand the relationship between Ca, Alk, Mg and pH. Check it out and see what you think.

 

[bruce 1]

Thank you very much.

 

[glxtrix]

Hackman72;593841 wrote: Calcium chloride is a product we use in the concrete business to heat concrete in the winter to keep it from freezing. It's the same stuff you find in Prestone's "Driveway Heat" ice melt. It's also the little white flakes used in those moisture absorbers. I checked the MSDS and contacted manufacturers. In the end, I didn't feel comfortable using it in my tank. And, I have access to literally tons of it for free.

I've used the driveway heat for years to boost my CA ....however, prestone changed the chemical make up and apparently it's not safe for tanks anymore. I believe any date stamp before 06' is fine. Anything after that, no good. Just make sure your Mg is on point before adding CA or ALK.

 

[jamescook]

I hate to admit it , but I use Damp Rid for CC, Epsom salt for Mg and baking soda for K. works for me

 

[hackman72]

glxtrix;593895 wrote: I've used the driveway heat for years to boost my CA ....however, prestone changed the chemical make up and apparently it's not safe for tanks anymore. I believe any date stamp before 06' is fine. Anything after that, no good. Just make sure your Mg is on point before adding CA or ALK.

That would make sense because the papers I was pulling from were '08 and '09. It was a 94%-97% assay. I didn't know what the other 3-6% was and they had a list of inerts that I wasn't sure would go well in a reef tank.

 

[lilrobb]

Hackman72;593901 wrote: I didn't know what the other 3-6% was and they had a list of inerts that I wasn't sure would go well in a reef tank.

Well, if they were inert - it shouldn't matter what they are no?

 

[hackman72]

LilRobb;593905 wrote: Well, if they were inert - it shouldn't matter what they are no?

Probably so. I went under the assumption that their version of "inert" didn't include "reef safe". Their are a lot of things concidered inert tat we wouldn't add to our tanks. I just took the safe route.