DIY KZ Coral Snow (with >97% purity)

Jeff.:P

Non-member
Saw this great thread on R2R and figured I would pass on the information for a product most people love, but that is very expensive to buy. This DIY version makes it very economical to help address issues in your tank like cyano, slime, clarity ect..

http://www.reef2reef.com/threads/diy-kz-coral-snow-with-97-purity.211722/

Amazon link to the MgCO3 and CaCO3 I ordered.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00959XKGI/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

DIY instructions

So Korallen Zucht's Zeovit product line has been around for a while. It contains many products, but one that finds usefulness outside of the ultra low nutrient setups is Coral Snow. In addition, the claims that KZ makes about it are not completely absurd and actually lie in the science of it. They claim it is a 'calcium-magnesium carbonate mix' (aka MgCO3 and CaCO3). When dried, it looks like an off-white confectioners sugar, extremely fine ground powder.

It is essentially a calcite chalk. Yes, the same stuff that teachers used to write on chalkboards with, that is bought for pennies and sold in RO/DI at nearly $120 per liter.

Despite being expensive, it does have its benefits. Organics adhere to its surface, as do particulates, acting as a flocculent, being easily removed via protein skimming or small micron mechanical filtration. This leads to unparalleled water clarity.

Thankfully there is a cheaper way to get that same clarifying effect. You can purchase food grade calcium carbonate powder, minimum 97% purity, for around $9 per pound, less if you order more (but that's not really necessary).

It comes as a very fine powder. You will want to mix it with water before dosing. The amount of KZ product in each mL (after it is very well-shaken to thoroughly mix) is 0.4g. This is a bit less than 1/8 teaspoon, and this is good for roughly 100 liters aquarium volume (25 gallons). You can either just put the dry powder into a small container and mix right there, or you can create a stock solution.

For a 250mL solution, use 5 level tablespoons (roughly 115 grams) of CaCO3 powder and add roughly 230mL of RO/DI water. This should mix right about 250mL. The powder will NOT dissolve, it will stay suspended in the water. Will look like this when you're done.

KZ Coral Snow Mfc claims

Korallen-Zucht Coral Snow liquid filter media as well as a secondary biological facilitator for elements and nutrition.

Treats and prevents slime algae and cyanobacteria
Neutralizes water yellowing compounds and unwanted acids
Increases the effectiveness of other KZ products such as B-Balance and Potassium-Iodide/Fluoride Concentrate.
Compatible with Amino Acids and Coral Vitalizer.

Coral Snow liquid will help with yellowing compounds that activated carbon misses. It has also been shown to be beneficial in treating unwanted slime algae and cyanobacteria. The product contains natural calcium-magnesium carbonate and other specialized compounds. Clay-like composition and properties make for a highly absorbent medium that can be taken up by corals and protein skimmers.

This is primarily a secondary biological facilitator for other Korallen-Zucht products like Amino Acids Coral Vitalizer, B-Balance and Potassium-Iodide/Fluoride Concentrate.

Dose Coral Snow 1 mL per 25 US gallons every day mixed with a different product to enhance results. Combine the desired amount of Coral Snow and additive, rest for 5 minutes then add directly to a high flow area of the tank. Initial cloudiness is normal and not harmful. After initial cloudiness disappears you will notice the water is extremely clear, very similar to when fresh activated carbon is added to the tank. Do not exceed recommended amount.

To help eliminate cyano bacteria add one drop of ZEObak per 25 gallons of tank water to Coral Snow. Dose every two days until cyano bacteria is gone.

Enjoy and good luck
 
Another way to make it is to mix a equal part of Randy's Part 1 and part 2.
Use immediately.
 
Importantly, so the snow storm I periodically create by adding 2 part at the same time is actually GOOD for my tank. Excellent...
 
Importantly, so the snow storm I periodically create by adding 2 part at the same time is actually GOOD for my tank. Excellent...

An important note on that however, is not to do so over any corals. If precipitation forms and sits on the soft flesh of LPS or softies it can damage it. Been there done that.
 
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Been there done that with an alk overdose haha. I did notice the tank afterwards looked exceptionally clear!

Importantly, so the snow storm I periodically create by adding 2 part at the same time is actually GOOD for my tank. Excellent...
 
Spooky night on the reef

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