You will want to dose both alk and calc, and in an ideal world, with equal volumes. But reality is that rarely happens because of your salt contribution. Might find this post interesting.
How Much Two Part Do I Need
If not allowed, please delete.
I was wondering the same thing. I saw people use baked baking soda to raise alk. I wonder what the difference between that and something like BRS isGreat article redfish. How effective is the DIY two part compared to the commercial ones? Do you get the same results? If you do the DIY version, how do you supplement the trace elements also? Sorry for all the questions.
Wow great information. Thank you so much for sharingOh my, I wasn’t expecting replies like this. Let me begin by stating that I am degreed in both biology and chemistry (does that matter; I don’t know). I’m also terrible with time, and will guess that I’ve been using the DIY additives since 2007/2008. I’m still using my first bag of Prestone Driveway Heat, that I purchased for less than $20. And that is with giving away a number of gallons of made up solutions to folks who were interested. If I were to guess, using Italian statistics (that’s where I wave my hands around, and come up with numbers that sound reasonable and believable), I’d say I spend about $5/year on dosing my tank….a 90 gallon DT with 50 gallon sump. I think I’m on my third bag for Sam’s Club for Arm and Hammer, which is now a 15 pound bag.
So what is the common alk we use….either sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), or sodium carbonate (soda ash). Now for you bakers, baking soda is like chemical yeast. As you bake that special batch of cookies or cake, the baking soda releases carbon dioxide….a gas...creating little bubbles in those delicious cookies or cakes you are making….just like yeast would do. When you simply “bake” baking soda on it’s own, you drive off the carbon dioxide, producing sodium carbonate (soda ash)....the same stuff from BRS, short of the purity of being pharmaceutical grade...and no need for our tanks.
So to the questions posed, Yes, BRS stuff is the same (chemically), with the exception of price, and for some reason wanting to use pharmaceutical grade ingredients….a total waste of money. The Arm and Hammer I use is food grade, (you eat this stuff) and since I’m not injecting this into my body, more than pure enough for our tanks. As far as trace elements, I do a total of 50 gallon water change per month, so I get my “trace” in the water changes. If you’re not into water changes, you could simple add any number of trace products available.
Does it work….phhhht. I can’t give away the frags that grow like weeds, using this DIY mix. Yes it works....just like the big boys....same chemistry.
I appreciate all the information. I've been looking at the baked baking soda diy version as I don't see a point in buying the best one for more when I can just run to the store.Oh my, I wasn’t expecting replies like this. Let me begin by stating that I am degreed in both biology and chemistry (does that matter; I don’t know). I’m also terrible with time, and will guess that I’ve been using the DIY additives since 2007/2008. I’m still using my first bag of Prestone Driveway Heat, that I purchased for less than $20. And that is with giving away a number of gallons of made up solutions to folks who were interested. If I were to guess, using Italian statistics (that’s where I wave my hands around, and come up with numbers that sound reasonable and believable), I’d say I spend about $5/year on dosing my tank….a 90 gallon DT with 50 gallon sump. I think I’m on my third bag for Sam’s Club for Arm and Hammer, which is now a 15 pound bag.
So what is the common alk we use….either sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), or sodium carbonate (soda ash). Now for you bakers, baking soda is like chemical yeast. As you bake that special batch of cookies or cake, the baking soda releases carbon dioxide….a gas...creating little bubbles in those delicious cookies or cakes you are making….just like yeast would do, but biologically. When you simply “bake” baking soda on it’s own, you drive off the carbon dioxide, producing sodium carbonate (soda ash)....the same stuff from BRS, short of the purity of being pharmaceutical grade...and no need for our tanks.
So to the questions posed, Yes, BRS stuff is the same (chemically), with the exception of price, and for some reason wanting to use pharmaceutical grade ingredients….a total waste of money. The Arm and Hammer I use is food grade, (you eat this stuff) and since I’m not injecting this into my body, more than pure enough for our tanks. As far as trace elements, I do a total of 50 gallon water change per month, so I get my “trace” in the water changes. If you’re not into water changes, you could simple add any number of trace products available.
Does it work….phhhht. I can’t give away the frags that grow like weeds, using this DIY mix. Yes it works....just like the big boys....same chemistry.
This is a great response for a chemist.
For the rest of us I think if you are just starting it is best to use something that’s already mixed. Keep it simple in the beginning and you can change as needed to make your own.
Me personally I will never make my own cookies. I think homemade cookies taste horrible. I rather pay $2 for a cookie from a bakery that Taste amazing.
The same thing with dosing for me I rather keep it simple and pay a little more for something that’s already done. I don’t even use the BRS stuff because it’s not worth it for me to mix it. I like ESV 2 part it’s not cheap but it’s easy. I put it on the dos and I am done.
There is no right or wrong you just need to be honest with the type of reefer you are.
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I appreciate all the information. I've been looking at the baked baking soda diy version as I don't see a point in buying the best one for more when I can just run to the store.
My question now is, I can't find how to mix it, dose it and how much to not kill everything.
How do you mix the baking soda after mixing it. Do you add RODI or saltwater? How much baking soda for how much water?
Once mixed, how much and how often do I add the mix to raise the alk in the tank to where I want it? How much is too much in 1 day? How many times a day should it be spread out over?
@amado , I fully appreciate your use of commercial products to dose your tank. I know I’m an oddball when it comes to a number of aspects of my tank, and dosing is definitely one of them. However, you are totally wrong when it comes to cookies. Homemade cookies are the best!!!! This was a very difficult picture to take….I ate the first one I put down….and this is the second one, and as I snapped it, ate this one as well.
View attachment 31799
This is an oatmeal cookie, and absolutely delicious. If you can’t make good homemade cookies, you either have a bad recipe, or are a terrible cook. Homemade is the best!
Again, your use of ESV isn’t an issue, but homemade cookies are the best!
Paul is an OG around here, smart and great reefer. can't go wrong with the info he provides.
With all due respect that cookie looks horrible. Lol
My point is you need to know who you are.
For me I like to make things as easy as possible.
Dosing a homemade 2 part is taking a lot of risk with very little reward. Trying to find out
How much to dose is not as easy as using the BRS calculator.
I pray forgiveness for this momentary divergence from the thoroughfare...
Amado, what is this ESV amalgam you speak of? I have consulted the electronic oracle and it show me the brew in but 2 parts, one alk and one cal. Where dost thou find the all-in-one elixir?