3Reef's DIY 2 part

Discussion in 'Water Chemistry' started by Dr.Fragenstein, Jan 17, 2009.

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  1. Dr.Fragenstein

    Dr.Fragenstein Panda Puffer

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    I have seen a few questions lately in regards to calcium, alkalinity and magnesium supplements and many of those questions are directly related to DIY two part solutions. I decided to search a bit and found that WE here at 3Reef do not have OUR own 2 part thread or recipe. I know what you are all thinking, there are 2 part recipes on the net, just look for them. Well the whole point of this is so we NEVER have to leave this site!

    Essentially a 2 part( in all reality 3 part) is an alkalinity and calcium(Ca) supplement. The third part is Magnesium(Mg)
    This type of supplement is meant to be dosed everyday to maintain proper levels of the major 4 components(the fourth being pH).

    There are a few ways this can be accomplished by the hobbyist. One is a commercial product like Kents two part or Two Little Fishes two part or whoever you choose to purchase. These are essentially what we are about to make but in a ready to use format that requires little to no effort on your part. What we are about to cover is more suited towards frugal reefers or people with large tanks and bioloads that would spend a small Saudi fortune dosing the tank.

    As far as 2 parts go there are two different versions, one that will INCREASE pH and one that will slightly DECREASE pH.
    The one you chose obviously depends on the pH of your tank. The most common one is the form to RAISE the pH as most people can never keep it as high as they would like!

    To make either recipe you will need all the same ingredients... 3 gallons of RO/DI water, 3 empty gallon jugs, baking soda, a CaCl2*, a MgCl2*, epsom salt(MgSO4), a baking pan, a 1/2c, and 1/4c measuring cup and a funnel-optional but you will be happy you have one!!

    *Will be discussed more in a moment

    This entire process, besides baking the baking soda(recipe one) will take you about an hour tops to complete.

    The first and foremost is to gather your ingredients. As mentioned before ger yourself some baking soda, Arm and hammer is great, some CaCl2, MgCl2 and MgSO4. This will bring us to the asterick from before. CaCl2 can be something as cheap as DOWflake* or something a little more pure like human grade CaCl2 or even anhydrous CaCl2, before we get too far you might want to read,http://www.3reef.com/forums/water-chemistry/calcuim-chloride-57227.html#post541958
    You can get CaCl2 from a variety of places. If you decide to use anhydous CaCl2 like Peladow or Kents Turbo Calcium make sure you use about 20% less as there is much less water weight, it is a more concentrated CaCl2.

    MgCl2 can be either a aquarium made product sold at many stores or online shops, or a MgCl2 salt such as MAGflakes*. Epsom salt (MgSO4) can be found at a variety of stores mostly in the pharmacy.

    *The use of DOWflakes and MAGflakes is used at your own risk!! Author has no responsibility if there are any problems whatsoever!

    RECIPE ONE-pH Raising
    Take the baking soda and spread 2.25c on a baking sheet, preferrably non-stick. Bake at 300 degrees(or more) for at least an hour(or more) to drive of the CO2 found in the baking soda.
    Once this step is complete take one of the 1 gallon jugs and fill it half way with RO water. Use the funnel to pour in abour a third of the baking soda. Put the cap on the jug and shake VIGOROUSLY!! This step is the toughest of all as the baking soda will not want to dissolve into the water. Keep adding a third at a time until all the baking soda is in the gallon. Shake again until mostly dissolved. Fill jug to top with RO water then shake a little more. It will not be completely dissolved at this point but if you let it sit over night by morning it should all be dissolved. Label jug alkalinity.

    The nest step is to fill another gallon jug halfway and then funnel 2.5c of CaCl2 into the jug. Remember if using TURBO CALCIUM or other anhydrous CaCL2 use about 20% less. Shake VIGOROUSLY until the Ca is dissolved. It WILL get hot as it dissolves, this is normal. Once dissolved top off with RO water. Label jug Ca.

    Lastly you will need to grab an extra tupperware or bowl and pour 5 cups MgCl2 and 3 cups epsom and stir to mix together. Then fill the last gallon jug about a third the way up with RO water. Slowly funnel the Mg mixture into the jug. Shake the jug(with cap on!!) in between Mg additions to help it dissolve. Once you have poured in all the Mg in shake VIGOROUSLY until all the Mg is dissolved, this will take awhile as you are trying to dissolve eight cups into a gallon! Once dissolved fill with RO and label Mg.

    You now have your own DIY 2 part!!
    Recipe 2
    This is the exact same process as the first but instead of bake baking soda you use raw and instead of 2.25c you use about 1 1/8th cups. Essentially follow the same procedure but again this time just funnel the baking soda into the half gallon of water.
    THe calcium portion is also slightly different than the first recipe, instead of 2.5c you will use 1.25 c of Ca or less if using anhydrous. Again mix until dissolved following the directions above.
    The magnesium portion is the same as the first recipe 5 cups MgCl2 and 3c MgSO4 in one gallon.

    Dosing will depend on your tank. First get you tank to the levels you want using the calculator found on our site.
    Once those levels are achieved it is time to start your daily dosing.

    This chart will help you determin how much to use, but like anything else make sure you continue to test for the next couple of weeks to make sure you are using the proper amount

    Tank Recipe one Recipe two
    FO .1ml/gal .2ml/gal
    Few corals .2ml/gal .4ml/gal
    Mostly soft/few LPS .3ml/gal .6ml/gal
    LPS and SPS .5ml/gal 1ml/gal
    SPS tank 1ml/gal 2ml/gal


    Once you have determinded your dose continue to monitor to make sure you are where you need to be. You will slowly increase as your corals grow out and demand more calcium and alkalinity.

    Also for every one gallon of both alk and ca you use you will add 20oz of Mg to the system, it doesn't need to be at once you can slowly add it but only add 20oz per ONE GALLON of each of the other parts.

    Happy reefing!!


    Thanks to Randy Holmes Farley and Bulk Reef Supply for information and the handy chart
     
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  3. Otty

    Otty Giant Squid

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    Thanks for the info. A lot of newcomers should find this very informative.
     
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  4. 1st time

    1st time Purple Spiny Lobster

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    Thanks, I have looked at the other sites and you have simplified the whole thing. Nice article!
     
  5. lunatik_69

    lunatik_69 Giant Squid

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    Great article, everyone can either benefit from this or re-fresh they're memory. Luna
     
  6. RHorton

    RHorton Pajama Cardinal

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    Nice Article this should help allot of people.
     
  7. ANDRU24

    ANDRU24 Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

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    Thanks for the info.

    Are the MagFlakes and DowFlakes available at the LFS or do you get them from some other type of store?

    -AJ
     
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  9. inwall75

    inwall75 Giant Squid

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    Hardware store.

    Depending on the weather where you live, it might not be available all year. It's used to melt ice.
     
  10. Dr.Fragenstein

    Dr.Fragenstein Panda Puffer

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    I have been seeing them available less and less. Luckily I guy I know has an in with a distributor and is able to get ahold of it still. Call the hardwares stores around you and see what they carry.

    Remember its at YOUR own risk!

    Happy reefing!
     
  11. RHorton

    RHorton Pajama Cardinal

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    I wasn't sure Fragenstein weather to put this here or in the other thread calcium chloride it is a good read as Randy answers allot of questions and a few of the suppliers that everyone buys calcium chloride from chimes in about them trying to find new suppliers. it is also about his 2 part solution.

    pretty much what I got from this was it is not ok to use dow(flakes or pellets) for daily dosing but only to increase your cal once in a while.

    Reef Central Online Community - New Dowflake OK to Boost Calcium in Salt Mixes
     
  12. Zzippper

    Zzippper Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

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    You lost me with this statement... Please explain.

    Thanks!

    Z