Can i use this calcium chloride to diy cal.

[eddie pr]

I see this pool calcium chloride at the hard ware store an want to know if is safe to use on reef tank .it claim to have
83 to 87%calcium chloride
1@2%sodium chloride
2@3%potassium chloride
8@14%water
Ita name is robelle calcium plus (for swiming pools )

 

[AlbertG]

i wont risk it .
it maybe contain other ingredients the not listed the can harm you reef .

 

[Jeff.:P]

Ive been using Prestone Driveway heat with good results!*

* However, as others have mentioned use at your own risk!

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Prestone-Driveway-Heat-9-5-lb-Concentrated-Ice-Melt-95J-HEAT/202353200

 

[IPWitan]

I am guessing that BadPapi is actually commenting about using CA from a pool store instead of the actual listed ingredients themselves. Presumably, this goes to the general trust that the listed ingredients are what is actually in the product. Mind you, the bad stuff will be in the fraction of a percent listing. His point obviously has merit. Notwithstanding, I did not view any of the listed ingredients as harmful. When you mix the 2 part, be mindful that this is 83-87%, as some recipes use the high concentrations.

Notwithstanding, I personally have used CA from a pool store for many years with no issue. The stuff I had was in small chips and not powder, which made it easy to dispense (no dust no clump). So the answer is - in theory, YES, but you have to trust them. I don't view this as too dissimilar than to trusting other bags of CA or magnesium sulfide that is billed as ice melt at Home Depot.

When I was in Miami, it was even more readily available than it is in MA, and there is no ice melt in Florida. As for cost, it is far cheaper than buying CA products from the LFS. But it is no more expensive than buying in bulk from Bulk Reef Supply - a source that is specifically for reefers and I trust. Many LFS also carry BRS products (I bought some from Jays before).
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/brs-bulk-calcium-chloride-aquarium-supplement.html

So my thought would be to use of what you have, if you bought it already. And for the next purchase, buy it in bulk. If you have a spa and can otherwise use it, then just buy in bulk now as it won't go to waste.

 

[eddie pr]

I hav not purchase that product is just that 4 pounds cost like 9 bucks .. and yes is a swiming pool stuff at bennys .. well i was davating because i always buy on ebay a calcium chloride that claims to be 99%pure but cost 20$ for 5 pounds

 

[AlbertG]

Agree 100% in all the stament above .
My issue is trust as IP state .
The manucfacturer maybe deal with other pool chemical in the same factory for pool the may be process tru the same equipment . Those maybe not hamrmfull for the pool or reef but you never know .
I think there is alot shorcuts available to save and make this hobbie cheaper .but there is always those wiiling to risk it .
Believe me im always on the lookout for a quick savings. But i dont want to be the first one to test it out .
This is one of the reason i join boston reefers .

 

[IPWitan]

There are two main forms of CA - dihydrous and anhydrous. The first is 75-80% calcium chloride and the second is 90+%. The later lacks some water. None are 99% pure. Plus, as soon as either are exposed to air, they will absorb the water and dilute. This difference is important when determining which formula you use in making your two part. See the link for a better explanation. I can parrot them all day, but the source is better...

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/

or when you use the reef calculator

http://reef.diesyst.com/chemcalc/chemcalc.html


This is the product I used. http://www.lesliespool.com/leslies-hardness-plus-pool-chemical/hardness-plus.htm
Funny that several of the reviewers mention their reef tanks.

 

[eddie pr]

So ipwitan you are sain that you do use calcium chloride made for swiming pools (i have seen that brand on stores near me ) well thats the problem that any brand you see or hear you dont realy know about its purity . I was looking in to the bulk reef suply .and it just said calcium chloride .in the web site they dont say about how pure .or other components on they product .or we dont know where they get it from . So i ges every one is risking at certain point .or not ?

 

[AlbertG]

BRS Bulk Calcium Chloride is produced using only the best pharmaceutical grade material available and meets strict BRS purity standards.

 

[FishHead]

eddie just get this. around the same cost.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4680+4676+27647&pcatid=27647

how's the tank doing? ..haven't heard from you in awhile.

 

[IPWitan]

eddie - that isn't entirely so. If you use Leslie's pool ca and something goes south, you can complain or post all you want about the product and Leslie and nothing will happen. Leslie's will point to a disclaimer that says don't use for unintended purposes. If BRS or F&S sell a for-fish product and something goes south, their reputation is on the line.

While they may get it all from the same facility, I do take comfort in that BRS and F&S will do their homework to make sure they sell a good product.

So if you have $50 bucks of corals in your tank, the savings from pool ca is material. If you are like some of the guys on this forum who have $1000s of corals wrapped up in their tank, then going with a fish store product makes sense. Some here don't even trust the home made two part. My Miami tank had corals that would survive anything. With, my current tank I am taking much less risk. I suppose I am not saying anything you don't already know, but this decision is made - on balance.

 

[eddie pr]

Hi fish head i would assume that my thank is doing way better for the first time on several monts .thats why i being this up .i was using kalkwasser on top off with twrrible results .. my top off sistem is be gravity with float valve . so i start with one tsp per gallon .and was not inoff then jump on the max. 2tsp. Per gallon and my numbers whent way off my mag was always way down as well as my calcium always on the 300ppm as alk on the 6s and the presipitation was insame . My sump looks ugly full of presipitation . (It cost me a few pumps ) . so corals look ugly and not growt at all . so after thinking of runing away of my passion .. decide give a try diferent metod and get a jebao wp4 dosing pump .. did big water change 2 of them (i use red sea pro salt) and rebuild a new sump .and start dosing two parts at equal rate 65ml of cal. And alk. as well as 10ml of mag. Daily .. now i got for two months my cal.430ppm my alk 7.6 and my mag.1400 steddy...ao now i have my duncan over 6 heads .my hammer is groing like 5 small heads .and my frog spown is just splittng like crazy .. as well as my back glass is almost cover in coraline .. so im happy .. well i just order the calcium i been ordering at ebay sais is food grade $15 for 3 lbs .. and when i mixed i have no presipitation and see no side efects yet on my tank .so i will keep using that one untill im sure that ill get better choise for little less money

 

[FishHead]

yeah.. you can get 7#'s for that price.
keep in mind as you add corals the system may use more of one thing than another so you may need to make adjustments. my tank uses way more alk than CA.
if have any problems like this again, just give me a call.. lmk if you need my # again.

 

[eddie pr]

Yea i chek that out but was too late for next time i will order fron foster&smith thanks a lot for your all help .and i dont have your # FishHead if you like cand send it as private mess. im sure i will still need som help .looks like is never inoff lol !