2-part

[nikonosis]

if i had the money like you guys i would be running a reactor too!

[teach]

I think you may feel differently when you have a tank full of acros. I was dosing well over 2 cups a day of two part calcium and alkalinity before I bought my reactor. That adds up even if you make your own.
I bought my reactor used, and it's been well worth it.

[nikonosis]

right now i does 2.5 tablespoons of each and it keeps the alk at 9.3 and calcium at 420.

Have you guys seen on RC that everyone has been talking about how horrible Salifert test kits are now? They are saying they aren't even close to accurate for calcium and alk. Here is 1 link, there are tons of threads about it now.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1136078

I am wondering if our kits are messed up. We keep getting burnt tips on 2 off our acros, like an alk burn or something.

[teach]

Brian (Acroholic) did some research on this. I think he found that the individual Seachem kits were pretty reliable.

[MikeAtJax]

Brian did find that Seachem test kits were reliable and Salifert's test kit for calcium read 400 when it actually was 380.

CRs offer stable values over manual dosing. Very important IMO. Dripping and dosing pumps can do the same.

[Oreef]

Russell, the guy who makes Oceans Blend, told me each
gallon of his calcium part 1, has about 2 pounds of dissolved minerals in it.

[nikonosis]

Originally Posted by Oreef

Russell, the guy who makes Oceans Blend, told me each
gallon of his calcium part 1, has about 2 pounds of dissolved minerals in it.

You could test that theory, A gallon of water weigh's 8lbs, if he put 2 more pounds of stuff in it, a gallon of oceans blend calcium should weigh 10 lbs.

[Oreef]

It's not a theory, it's a direct quote from the manufacture. If you put 2 pounds of minerals in a 1 gallon container and fill it the rest of the way with saltwater it is going to weigh 8.4 pounds. Try taking a 1 gallon water jug, fill it to the top, and disolve anything in it. The mass of the disolved substance will overflow the container.

[nikonosis]

I was assuming that was added to 2 gallons of water.

[jerseyguy1996]

Originally Posted by nikonosis

Why do you guys with calcium reactors and kalk reactors use 2 part?

Also why don't you make your own? A 2 gallon set of Oceans blend cost $30+, when you could make 12 gallons for $39.99 http://www.twopartsolution.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&products_id=16
with this kit. This kit alos makes magnesium...

Why spend $39.99 for 12 gallons when you could pay the same for (oh....I don't know) probably about 60 gallons.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php

Randy's two part.....the only way to go.

[nikonosis]

Originally Posted by jerseyguy1996

Why spend $39.99 for 12 gallons when you could pay the same for (oh....I don't know) probably about 60 gallons.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php

Randy's two part.....the only way to go.

you can't buy dow flakes here in florida... You can get baking soda and epsom salts but thats it.

[lemonheadmech]

you can't buy dow flakes here in florida...

That is so true Spare yourself the agony of defeat at Home Depot. They will just look at you like your crazy for even asking for it. Yeah, was just there looing for the stuff.

[nikonosis]

Originally Posted by lemonheadmech

That is so true Spare yourself the agony of defeat at Home Depot. They will just look at you like your crazy for even asking for it. Yeah, was just there looing for the stuff.

Its because its used to melt snow and we don't get snow down here. If you have ever used kent marine turbo calcium or anything like that you will know why its used to melt snow. When it touches water it gets so hot that it can actually make water boil.

[lemonheadmech]

Yeah, that was the agony part! They where like, what the H*** are Dow Flakes, and when you told them its a type of deicer they darn near fell over.

[racerw]

A friend of mine at Wiseco in OH is going to check on the Dow Flake at HD tonight. I will let you know what he finds.
Ed