randys 2 part caution from randy himself

[rjdudek]

Lets think about what we are willing to do to save a few bucks.

Nitric Acid is "powerful oxidizing agent, nitric acid reacts violently with many organic materials and the reactions may be explosive" I don't want to store this in my house.

Silver Nitrate is straight out toxic in any quantity.

Still just not worth the risk IMO

 

[Liam]

i was almost contemplating dosing on my next system. after reading this and all the threads of accidental overdose of late i will be definitely sticking with calcium reactors.yes they have risk too but i feel happier dissolving organic coral skeletons with co2 any day

 

[randoma]

i was almost contemplating dosing on my next system. after reading this and all the threads of accidental overdose of late i will be definitely sticking with calcium reactors.yes they have risk too but i feel happier dissolving organic coral skeletons with co2 any day

Funny.. As someone who has had an accidental overdose w/Randy's Two-Part, the main reason why I haven't setup my Calcium reactor is because I'm afraid of it.

 

[Liam]

Funny.. As someone who has had an accidental overdose w/Randy's Two-Part, the main reason why I haven't setup my Calcium reactor is because I'm afraid of it.

once you get them dialed in they are a great piece of equip

 

[Greg Hiller]

>Silver Nitrate is straight out toxic in any quantity<

Actually, most of the test kits we use use toxic chemicals. They are just in very small packets.

 

[Peter Fernandes]

once you get them dialed in they are a great piece of equip

I'll second that.Since the addition of my calcium reactor my tank parameters have never been more consistent.Wasn't too bad to dial in either.

Use your contoller to kill the co2 if ph gets too low.I saw that build thread C.S. ...that reactor was far from redneck.

 

[Dave McReeferson]

Lets think about what we are willing to do to save a few bucks.

Nitric Acid is "powerful oxidizing agent, nitric acid reacts violently with many organic materials and the reactions may be explosive" I don't want to store this in my house.

Silver Nitrate is straight out toxic in any quantity.

Still just not worth the risk IMO

>Silver Nitrate is straight out toxic in any quantity<

Actually, most of the test kits we use use toxic chemicals. They are just in very small packets.

I am no chemist, and I am not particularly worried about saving a few bucks, I just like to be aware of my options. I was throwing that out there hoping those with greater knowledge of these things could chime in on the feasibility of testing and/or any risks involved.

 

[Dave McReeferson]

As someone who doses, I figured I would chime in here. I have been maintaining my tanks by dosing for better than two years now and have been quite happy with it. I dose not to save money, but for the ease and for the consistent results that can be achieved with this method. By dosing at a steady pace via peristaltic pumps I have been able to maintain rock solid levels in our system without incident up to this point.

I run peristaltic pumps 24 hours a day continuously dosing 2 part. I mix my two part at concentrations that keep my levels right where I want them if I dose very close to (just under) the rate of evaporation in our system. This way, I kill two birds with one stone, keeping my levels just where I want them, and eliminating the need for additional top off devices. With this system, there is no need to worry about pumps sticking on and flooding my tank or throwing my levels way out of whack, because the pumps are always on anyway. I don't need to dose Kalk (a common point of failure and cause of tank crashes) in my top-off to maintain PH, my PH stays right where I want it. I don't need to worry about probes and solenoids, I don't need to count bubbles or drips, I just fill up my barrels, and walk away, done. Once per month, I mix new 2 part, that's it. I dosed our 240 (an SPS dominated reef), and found no issues. I didn't find build-up to be excessive on my pumps, or other equipment, I think the slow steady rate of dosing is to thank for this, perhaps shorter bursts of more concentrated 2 part might cause this problem for some people. I have now been dosing our 560 with equal success.

In a nutshell, I have been very happy with this system, it has served me well. If you ask me, I would rather run this system than set up a reactor and it's associated equipment any day, not because it is cheaper, but because it is simple, effective, and safe, end of story. I for one am bummed at these recent developments, unless I can come up with another answer for the calcium end of things, I will have to move to a reactor, something I would rather not do.

 

[Liam]

>Silver Nitrate is straight out toxic in any quantity<

Actually, most of the test kits we use use toxic chemicals. They are just in very small packets.

yes but you don't tip your test results in the tank after do you



,,,,,,,,,,,,,do you

 

[delta]

As someone who doses, I figured I would chime in here. I have been maintaining my tanks by dosing for better than two years now and have been quite happy with it. I dose not to save money, but for the ease and for the consistent results that can be achieved with this method. By dosing at a steady pace via peristaltic pumps I have been able to maintain rock solid levels in our system without incident up to this point.

I run peristaltic pumps 24 hours a day continuously dosing 2 part. I mix my two part at concentrations that keep my levels right where I want them if I dose very close to (just under) the rate of evaporation in our system. This way, I kill two birds with one stone, keeping my levels just where I want them, and eliminating the need for additional top off devices. With this system, there is no need to worry about pumps sticking on and flooding my tank or throwing my levels way out of whack, because the pumps are always on anyway. I don't need to dose Kalk (a common point of failure and cause of tank crashes) in my top-off to maintain PH, my PH stays right where I want it. I don't need to worry about probes and solenoids, I don't need to count bubbles or drips, I just fill up my barrels, and walk away, done. Once per month, I mix new 2 part, that's it. I dosed our 240 (an SPS dominated reef), and found no issues. I didn't find build-up to be excessive on my pumps, or other equipment, I think the slow steady rate of dosing is to thank for this, perhaps shorter bursts of more concentrated 2 part might cause this problem for some people. I have now been dosing our 560 with equal success.

In a nutshell, I have been very happy with this system, it has served me well. If you ask me, I would rather run this system than set up a reactor and it's associated equipment any day, not because it is cheaper, but because it is simple, effective, and safe, end of story. I for one am bummed at these recent developments, unless I can come up with another answer for the calcium end of things, I will have to move to a reactor, something I would rather not do.

What do you do when dosing vs calcium demand just doesn't work. IME dosing just doesn't have the capacity to buffer ALK/CA like a calcium reactor does. Also the added nutrients in large amounts of dosing can and do become a problem.
Fwiw, I dosed the ESV 2 part for a few years myself. I agree you do not save money dosing, but on a small system might be more desirable to dose.

 

[Dave McReeferson]

I have yet to encounter a problem with demand outstripping what I can dose reasonably. I can very accurately control both ALK and CA levels independent of one another and have never had any problem keeping the levels right where I want them. I just don't yet see a ceiling to what kind of growth I can keep up with, perhaps I will find it down the road, just haven't yet.

Nutrients are obviously a concern for me as they are with any reefer, and close tabs must be kept on levels to ensure things don't get out of hand for sure (I know how that can go ). Three months in to the new system and it seems that nutrients in the tank are on the decline rather than building up. All levels test 0 (though I don't yet have a Hanna meter for properly testing Phosphates), and what little remnants of algea I had after cycling seems to be rapidly dying back. Time will tell of course, and it may turn out that I am forced to go with a reactor regardless of the results, clearly I don't wish to introduce unsafe levels of any chemical into the system, and I may well be left with no other option given the changes in available product, we shall see...

 

[Sherri]

My tank is 65g, I always use TM salt and do 20% water changes bi-weekly, my tank is a bit of everything LPS, SPS and softies. My alk and CA were low. I have dosed three times w/2 part. After reading this, money doesn't matter as Randy compared several and found impurities to be comparable. Kalk works for many -- I guess the challenge there is overdosing and keeping it stirred. Calcium reactors can be expensive if bought, challenging to "dial in" right but then are okay. So, in summary, it sounds like we should only use the 2-part if we have old bags, Kalk if you can stir and regulate or reactor understanding it takes time to stabilize. Have I got this right?

 

[ReeferMedic]

Dave, have you ever had problems with the salinity rising dosing large amounts of calcium?


Personally, I wouldn't even think of a large setup without a calcium reactor on a ph controller. I guess, in the end, we use what we are comfortable with.

 

[Yaktop]

the reactor to dial in is not a big deal at all......maybe a few bucks to invest initially but a 100% less hassle - IMO.

 

[clamm]

I have to agree with having a reactor. Invest in a good one...it will pay off. Also read the manual! and learn how to tweak it.

 

[Sherri]

Well, that means I am going to HAVE to decide on my basement sump/refugium design as I have absolutely no room upstairs for a calcium reactor! Plus, hunting season is almost over and my husband promised to help when he cannot hunt/fish and escape to the sea ...

 

[Dave McReeferson]

Dave, have you ever had problems with the salinity rising dosing large amounts of calcium?

Nope, never had any issues with that...

Personally, I wouldn't even think of a large setup without a calcium reactor on a ph controller. I guess, in the end, we use what we are comfortable with.

I was honestly originally intending to use a reactor, I have all the stuff to set it up, but just never did. Dosing was working just fine, why fix "what ain't broke". With my system I've had zero problems with my levels, there is more than one way to skin a cat...

or at least there used to be...

...I guess it's time to belly up to the bar and set it up, at least before I run out of CA anyway.

 

[randoma]

I also originally set it up as something temporary, but it really works quite well (other than the ACjr issue) and keeps the pH a bit higher than I'd expect it to be with a reactor. (8.25-8.4)

My original setup had a continuous dose going, with the solutions 'cut' with RODI to actual usage. I stopped doing that because the sound of the pumps was making me nuts. However, as Dave points out, if you can get the raw materials for it, it keeps everything extremely stable.

 

[Fisheater]

Well, that means I am going to HAVE to decide on my basement sump/refugium design as I have absolutely no room upstairs for a calcium reactor! Plus, hunting season is almost over and my husband promised to help when he cannot hunt/fish and escape to the sea ...

What makes you think he won't come up with a new activity? Join a rock band, campaign for Obama etc.

 

[ReeferMedic]

I was honestly originally intending to use a reactor, I have all the stuff to set it up, but just never did. Dosing was working just fine, why fix "what ain't broke". With my system I've had zero problems with my levels, there is more than one way to skin a cat...

or at least there used to be...

Sorry Dave, that comment wasn't directed at you, just a general comment. That's why I spaced it from the question. Each individual should use what they are comfortable with imo.