Jimbo’s CDA 250
- Thread starter Jimbo327
- Start date
Things always break when you are about to go on vacation...and true to form...my old Tunze ATO pump died last week. Ordered the Tunze osmolator 3 to use that new Hi-Jet ATO pump, but somehow that pump is not compatible. Luckily, Seaside Aquatics had the old pump, got it fixed and I'm now back in business. Whew!
I leave for my vacation tomorrow. Have my fingers crossed nothing gets knocked over and no equipment takes a dump. Fingers crossed.
I leave for my vacation tomorrow. Have my fingers crossed nothing gets knocked over and no equipment takes a dump. Fingers crossed.
Back from vacay, and came home to some dirty glass. My growout comp Vivid Insanity frag bit the dust! 
Checked the alkalinity dosing line, and it was empty. Reefing gods just waiting for your vacations. I’m also missing one of my baby diaseris plate frag, it was glued to a disk… now MIA.
View attachment 130729
Checked the alkalinity dosing line, and it was empty. Reefing gods just waiting for your vacations. I’m also missing one of my baby diaseris plate frag, it was glued to a disk… now MIA.View attachment 130729
Well, a 13.5 lb bag of arm & hammer baking soda from Costco is like $12. I can probably make 15-20 gallons of alkalinity solution. If I had to buy soda ash from BRS to make the same volume, it'll probably be $150+.
If you are only making a gallon for manual adjustment, then it may not be worth it.
I'm going to make my own trace element solution next, hoping to mimic Tropic Marin A + K. LOL.
Faux Ballers rise up!!! LOL.
If you are only making a gallon for manual adjustment, then it may not be worth it.
I'm going to make my own trace element solution next, hoping to mimic Tropic Marin A + K. LOL.
Faux Ballers rise up!!! LOL.
Cool - I got a few gallons for adjustments and recently dosing my softies tank, full of coralline algae. Indeed, it would be 10x the cost if you’re doing in bulk.
On my non-CaRx setup (frag tank), I went with 3-part dosing using AquaForest Pro 1/2/3. The cost ain’t bad actually. As a matter of fact, BRS had a 50% sale so I bought 2. This will last me more than a year with the major 3 + traces!
If you want to beta test your TM A/K diy kit, let me know.
On my non-CaRx setup (frag tank), I went with 3-part dosing using AquaForest Pro 1/2/3. The cost ain’t bad actually. As a matter of fact, BRS had a 50% sale so I bought 2. This will last me more than a year with the major 3 + traces!
If you want to beta test your TM A/K diy kit, let me know.
^ Hmmm...the suggested dosage for the AF Pro 1/2/3 is 50 ml per 27 gallons every day.
May work for a small tank. Wouldn't last long on a bigger tank though.
I realize that DIY mixing is not for everyone...there is a lot of upfront cost to DIY mixing, buying each elements, investing in a good scientific scale, and the labor/time to mix it correctly. Plus, some chemicals can be dangerous/flammable, so it's best for most reefers to just buy it and not risk the safety.
When I was younger, I worked in a lab environment, so that has translated well to reef DIY mixing. Now, I play the mad scientist at home...and for trace elements mixtures, it's like 99% water anyways.
May work for a small tank. Wouldn't last long on a bigger tank though.
I realize that DIY mixing is not for everyone...there is a lot of upfront cost to DIY mixing, buying each elements, investing in a good scientific scale, and the labor/time to mix it correctly. Plus, some chemicals can be dangerous/flammable, so it's best for most reefers to just buy it and not risk the safety.
When I was younger, I worked in a lab environment, so that has translated well to reef DIY mixing. Now, I play the mad scientist at home...and for trace elements mixtures, it's like 99% water anyways.
The Pro is double concentrated vs the regular Component and already has trace elements. I’m doing 50mL/day on the 90gal to keep alk at around 8dKH. Of course this depends on your tank’s consumption rate though.
Yes — true on 100gal or less. On my 450gal, I’m running a big RO CR5000D to keep alk stable around 8dKH. I wasn’t going to dose.
Glad you’re comfortable with diy mixing. I just hate doing it since my attention span is that of a 5yo. Ok, I’m lazy…did I say that out loud? lol
Yes — true on 100gal or less. On my 450gal, I’m running a big RO CR5000D to keep alk stable around 8dKH. I wasn’t going to dose.
Glad you’re comfortable with diy mixing. I just hate doing it since my attention span is that of a 5yo. Ok, I’m lazy…did I say that out loud? lol
See below for the extra high ph boosting alk method. This is essentially what i am doing except I only use 400g of anhydrous calcium chloride.
Mag solution I also buy at BRS since that's dosed a much lower levels.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/second-new-diy-two-part-recipe-with-higher-ph-boost.357080/
Mag solution I also buy at BRS since that's dosed a much lower levels.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/second-new-diy-two-part-recipe-with-higher-ph-boost.357080/
I wasn’t that comfortable with sodium hydroxide at my home because it is very caustic and will cause burns. With that, you better wear gloves, mask with filter, and eye protection, and be very careful to clean up. And never store it near any acids. It can be very dangerous if they ever mix. And also, always add sodium hydroxide to water, not the other way around.
That’s my PSA for the day. I don’t want to see anyone hurt.
That’s my PSA for the day. I don’t want to see anyone hurt.
