Two-Part Calcium and Alkalinity Supplement System
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Specialized Discussion
Forum Name: Reef Chemistry
Forum Description: A place to discuss reef chemistry.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=44592
Printed Date: July 29 2026 at 5:11pm
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Topic: Two-Part Calcium and Alkalinity Supplement System
Posted By: Davidwillis
Subject: Two-Part Calcium and Alkalinity Supplement System
Date Posted: November 08 2010 at 11:01pm
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I am going to try this system. You can find it here: http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php - http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php My question is where do I find the products to make it out of? It says to look at home depot in the ice melt section. But I looked in the home depot in Logan, and they only had a generic ice-melt, and some other brand that didn't say what it had in it. I am sure I can find the baking soda and epsom salt at wal-mart, But I where do I find calcium chloride (dowflake or peladow icemelt), and magnesium chloride hexahydrate (mag flakes)? Or are there other products that work the same that I can find? Thanks |
Replies:
Posted By: Lewy
Date Posted: November 08 2010 at 11:41pm
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epsom most anywhere, I get mine from Costco for about $6 also I get my MgCl from there as well in the form of icemelt-- $15 and I got the huge bag of baking soda there as well -- $6. Then I just got the CaCl from Home Depot in the form of Prestone Drive Way Heat -- $7, looked like they just got a shipment in. ------------- 40 gal w/ 20 sump |
Posted By: Crazy Tarzan
Date Posted: November 09 2010 at 12:38am
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I found some Prestone Driveway Heat one year at either checker or autozone (don't remember which one it was...)
------------- Was that in there yesterday? Casper--WY windier than ? Down to a 20, soon to double or nothing |
Posted By: Davidwillis
Date Posted: November 09 2010 at 8:27am
| thanks... I don't have a costco close, maybe sams club will have some, or lowes. I will also check out checker and autozone for the driveway heat. |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: November 09 2010 at 8:47am
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I believe you meant to post a different link. That one is about Vodka dosing. In case you didn't realize, we've known about this for many years and can give you some very good advice. Feel free to read more about it in my old thread below (it's a few posts down after the affordable tank setup information).  I'm waiting for winter to arrive before I look too hard for CaCl2 icemelt. In case you haven't heard, the "Driveway Heat" product has been questioned. A few years ago the manufacturing process was changed to where it is slightly contaminated with boron which could cause problems in a tank without regular monthly 10% water changes. There is a chemical store in Centerville where I've picked up all the pure chemicals I ever needed for my reef. They may have connections in Logan or even Preston, or could ship. High Valley Chemical 1134 W 850 N. Centerville, UT 84014-3400 (801) 295-9591 I would also check here: www.bulkreefsupply.com and compare price with High Valley. Hope this helps. ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member 
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Posted By: Davidwillis
Date Posted: November 09 2010 at 9:19am
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yes, I copied the wrong link... it is fixed now. I will look into those two places. I looked at your information, and it looks like almost the same thing. Thanks.
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Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: November 09 2010 at 10:14am
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Yeah, I tried to keep mine simple. Randy probably saw that thread from a year earlier and decided to expand on it. 
------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member
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Posted By: Lewy
Date Posted: November 09 2010 at 11:09am
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Thanks Mark, I didn't realize the change with Drive Way Heat. I'll have to remember my water changes. And thanks for the chemical shop, next time I'll have to check them out. ------------- 40 gal w/ 20 sump |
Posted By: MadReefer
Date Posted: November 09 2010 at 12:14pm
| I like http://www.bulkreefsupply.com - www.bulkreefsupply.com |
Posted By: vadryn
Date Posted: December 31 2010 at 9:25am
| I found Prestone Sidewalk Heat @ Home Depot a couple weeks ago here in Logan. I'll bet any HD would carry it if one does. Way cheaper than even BRS. BRS seems to be an excellent source for good gallon jugs for dosing chemicals, though. |
Posted By: jcom
Date Posted: December 31 2010 at 4:22pm
| I'd stay away from the "Driveway Heat" type products. As Mark mentioned, those products' ingredients recently changed as they stopped removing bromide from the mixture and even Randy Holmes-Farley has recommended against them. Do yourself a favor and get it from Bulk Reef Supply. Their products are pharmaceutical grade and their customer service is phenomenal. |
Posted By: Lewy
Date Posted: December 31 2010 at 4:43pm
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I've been using it for a while, granted my tank is only 12 gallons. it only takes a few drops to get my Ca where I want it. ------------- 40 gal w/ 20 sump |
Posted By: vadryn
Date Posted: January 01 2011 at 10:38am
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In a study someone did on the purity of prominent calcium supplements (I found when looking for Driveway Heat MSDS), they looked at several products including Kent's products, there seems to be little to distinguish between "reef" products and other intended Calcium products. Even Kents has to put *something* in to create their calcium supplements, whose purity is subject to their suppliers. Kents had impurities that non-reef products did not!
It's really easy to say "Buy the expensive retail product" when it comes to this hobby, but I for one don't like the predatory pricing and value-added mentallity in the Aquarist industry. Please don't try to cast doubt and dispersion on cost-saving alternatives if there isn't valid data to back up the claims. If there is vital information, then please provide us all the link so we can make good decisions.
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Posted By: laynframe
Date Posted: January 03 2011 at 8:15pm
I would BRS it for sure it's not worth the gamble to me. By the time you waste your gas and time you could have it delivered to your door.  ------------- The time we enjoy wasting isn't wasted time!!!! |
Posted By: vadryn
Date Posted: January 04 2011 at 10:03am
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CaCl
BRS = $2.43/lb
Driveway Heat = $.84/lb
For those who enjoy paying LFS prices - have at it. That's not quite fair to BRS because they are significantly cheaper than LFS, but still WAY more for the same product from HD.
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Posted By: Davidwillis
Date Posted: January 04 2011 at 3:02pm
| Thanks vadryn... I think mark also found some at wallmart. I will take a look next time I am there. |
Posted By: vadryn
Date Posted: January 04 2011 at 3:07pm
| FYI - the recipe is 2 Cups per gallon of water for the Driveway Heat. |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: January 04 2011 at 5:28pm
It's so neat how it heats up the water as it mixes. Of course that's why it works as an ice melt. I wanted to be sure the Morton Safe-T-Power was the right stuff so put a prill on my tongue. It heated up fast and tasted right. I spit it out and bought the bottle.  I spoke with Morton Customer Service yesterday. I just got a call back from a Chemist at Morton. They no longer own the manufacturing plant. This Chemist is checking on impurities and will let me/us know. ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member
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