Two-Part Calcium and Alkalinity in Canada

[bulabr]

Hi friends

I would like to share with everybody my experience to set up the famous and cheap two-parts(meaning now three parts) from Randy Holmes-Farley( http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/) in Canada.

Thank you very much Randy.

In US I can see in the forums that is not so difficult to find the “ingredients”, but in Canada the story is a little different. Well, after a lot of research, I could get everything and put in place the system.

Let’s start with the Calcium Part:

Calcium Chloride Flakes 77% by Warwick Salt
I found out this product at RONA DEPOT that for me it is very good, with good price (CAD$ 16.99 – 20kg)

Calcium.jpg


http://www.rona.ca/en/ice-melt-20kg-1157002

The Alkalinity Part:

This was the easier part. Baking soda from Arm & Hammer you can find everywhere and cheap. I recommend buy the big box 4lb, more economical. Around CAD$10.00.

Baking Soda.jpg

Magnesium Part:

First Part

I found out the product as below, with good price as well (CAD$ 13.99 – 10kg) and easy to get in Canadian Tire.

I checked in the manufacturer site and could see that this is a very good option for Mg Part:

SIFTO® SAFE STEP® NATURE'S POWER™ MAGNESIUM CHLORIDE
The fastest acting premium ice melter on the market, Nature's Power works in extremely cold temperatures. The unique crystal shape provides rapid ice penetration and keeps product from scattering to where you don't need it. Nature's Power is 100 percent magnesium chloride hexahydrate, which means it is great on vegetation and concrete when used as directed.
• Sifto Safe Step Nature's Power Ice Melter is low in chlorides, making it safer for the environment
• Naturally produced in North America, extracted naturally from the Great Salt Lake
• Causes less cracking scaling on concrete than calcium chloride

Magnesium Chloride.JPG


http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/si...l#.VMu13yyfbEM


Second Part

Epsom Salt - Magnesium Sulfate USP
It was easy to find as well. I bought in Walmart for around CAD$8.00 - 4kg

Epsom Salt.jpg

http://www.walmart.ca/en/ip/epsom-salts/6000101671710


Materials:

For the three recipients I bought from Dollarama for CAD$2.50 each. The capacity of each one is almost 3 liters.

For the pumps, I bought from Ebay the Jebao Auto Dosing Pump DP-4. Around CAD$120.00. For this matter it’s good. It is not so precise but it has been doing a very good job for more than 6 months. Thank God that the system activates for only 3 or 4 seconds each time, because it’s really noise.

In summary: worth having this system at all

You will see the difference in your corals, mainly the hard corals. I didn’t do the account yet, but I believe that I have material for much more than one year, considering that my tank's demand is low. Big difference in your pocket as well

I hope that these tips help the Canadians Residents hehehe

Regards

Bulabr

[bertoni]

People have been successful with a wide range of products. Please keep us informed as to how these work for you!

[dartier]

The Calcium Chloride product that Bulabr shows here is on sale at (my local) Rona for 12.97 currently. I picked up 2 bags. I figure if I decide to not use it on my tank, I can always use it on the driveway.

Dennis

[bulabr]

Hi Friends

Only my feedback about these products that I have been using for more than six months. No problems at all. The fishes and corals are going well and there is no complaints from my wallet.
Regards
Bulabr

[bertoni]

Thanks for getting back to us! Another success story, which is encouraging.

[AkoAung]

Well this is awesome! I was buying these salts wholesale from a local salt distributor at higher prices than this!

[bulabr]

Hi Friends

Updating feedback. Now I have been using for more than 12 months. No problems at all. The fishes and corals are going very very well and my wallet said "thank you very much".
Regards
Bulabr

[bertoni]

Thanks for letting us know. I hope your tank continues to do well.

[garwood]

and thank you for Canadian products

[miroch]

Just made a batch of Mag the other day using Dollarama Epsom salts and Sifto Nature's power Mag Chloride. Quite a bit of brown residue that sunk to the bottom after settling. This was filtered out and I made two 750ml doses (100ppm/day max rule) All fish and coral doing great.
Next I may try Dowflake Xtra as a Calcium Chloride 2 part with Baking soda. We don't have a Rona near here but Home Hardware does have the new Dowflake. With a light Bioload, WC's should keep the bromide levels low enough for small doses of 2 part.

Thanks for the info Bulabr

[bulabr]

Hi Friends

One more updating feedback. Now I have been using this formula for almost 2 years. No problems.
Regards
Bulabr

[bertoni]

Thanks for the update! I'm glad to hear that the chemicals are working.

[dt204]

Good to know

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk

[ruiny]

This is great info.
Thanks.

[Reefable]

This is great info. Thank you for sharing this Bulabr. I was working on this as well and was actually able to get the exact same products as Randy suggested here in Canada. The only difference was the calcium part where DOW came out with Dow Xtra. As per Randy you use 10% less of this product than the regular Dow and you have your solution. I have been using it for almost a year now and believe me my wallet is very happy..LOL..but thanks for the Canadian products. this thread goes into my favourite folder...

[bulabr]

Hi Friends

Updating feedback. Now I have been using this formula for almost 4 years. No problems at all.
Regards
Bulabr

[bertoni]

I'm glad you've been successful. I hope you are enjoying your tank.

[bulabr]

Hi Friends

Updating feedback. Now I have been using this formula for almost 6 years. No problems at all. My wallet is very happy.
Regards
Bulabr