DIY Three Part with Balling Part C Recipe

[Miami Reef]

Other 3 parts? So this is best to be a 4 part solution?

I don’t think it counts as a 4 part. Use it as a 3 part. Magnesium will take a LONG time to show a decline, but adding it back in a controlled manner is just to prevent using test kits, which aren’t accurate and cause more headache.


You can completely omit the extra magnesium and add it as needed based on testing.

If you change water regularly, you may not even need any additional magnesium. Salt mixed usually contain and abundance and consumption is very slow.

 

[Miami Reef]

Anyway, I fixed the first post, so it’s much easier to understand.

If you want a much simpler DIY, but is still adequate for reef tanks, use this:

Second New DIY Two Part Recipe with Higher pH Boost

In a previous thread, I posted a true two part DIY recipe: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/new-diy-two-part-recipes-with-higher-ph-boost.344500/ But some folks may want to just swap the new ingredient into my 2/3 part recipe (as used by BRS, for example). Here's the original recipe link...

www.reef2reef.com

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php

This thread is the most complete and optimal way to make a 3 part at home. It focuses on maintaining ionic balance. It’s especially useful if you don’t change water.

 

[GARRIGA]

That’s me when you say you don’t do water changes.

3 parts can be more cost effective for large and high demand tanks, never mind the impressive pH boost sodium hydroxide provides.

AFR is great, but this thread is about making a complete 3 part.

Time is a cost consideration as well and now BRS whispering they might be carrying the commercial 5 gallon containers making cost less for large tanks. Just making an observation because I've been trying to follow and for guys like me this gets overly complicated and perhaps there's a way to dumb it down so us AFR minded don't bother buying a Mac. Fact I never did and I've built my own computers since 95 and specialize in reverse engineering complex solutions in the area of finance.

Know there are online calculators for just about everything including individual corrections but any chance there's one for three part where one punches in their individual items, water volume and current readings? If not. You guys might want to consider that because AFR simple minded like myself would buy it. My head is literally spinning.

Not trolling BTW. I'm literally struggling to follow along and reefing should be easy enough that those getting started don't already have a foot out the door.

 

[Miami Reef]

Not trolling BTW. I'm literally struggling to follow along and reefing should be easy enough that those getting started don't already have a foot out the door.

I fixed the first post. It was confusing before, I’ll admit. Especially since I tried adding all the recipes in one thread.

Can you let me know if it’s clear now?

 

[Nossatron]

I added it back to the first post. Let me know if it’s better.

Magnesium (pick one):

• DIY Magnesium Version:

Dissolve 3/4 cups Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate heptahydrate) and 7¼ cups magnesium chloride hexahydrate in enough purified fresh water to make one gallon of total volume.

OR​

• BRS Magnesium Version:

Fill a 1-gallon container half full of RO/DI or distilled water and then add 7-1/4 cups (1,285 grams) of BRS Magnesium Chloride and 1/2 cup (124 grams) of BRS Magnesium Sulfate.

For the magnesium part in Recipe #1, add 203mL or 5.37% of the magnesium solution after finishing a gallon of the other three parts to account for the magnesium consumption.​

Really really appreciate the time you've spent to working this out.


To me that reads its only an issue with the brs magnesium. Should it not just be done like this:

Magnesium (pick one):



DIY Magnesium Version:


Dissolve 186.97mls of Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate heptahydrate) and 1813.03 mls of magnesium chloride hexahydrate in enough purified fresh water to make one gallon of total volume.

(We could change that to weights once I know the true weight only rolling off google currently) that way it's all covered in the calculations.

To an chemistry noob like me its like a baking recipe that states you need 5 cups of flour, then later states you need an additional cup to allow it to balance to the yeast that's added.

 

[Nossatron]

1 cup = 236.588mls
x 0.75 =177.441mls
+5.37% = 186.9695817 mls
186.97

Edit- 5.7 to 5.37%

 

[GARRIGA]

I fixed the first post. It was confusing before, I’ll admit. Especially since I tried adding all the recipes in one thread.

Can you let me know if it’s clear now?

My bad for not being clear. I grasp the Balling method. Where I got lost was all the recent posts and my head started spinning. Just seemed like suddenly too many variables introduced but perhaps also it's early in the morning too.

The first post makes sense. Appreciate that it includes the dangers of dealing with hydroxide.

 

[Nossatron]

My bad for not being clear. I grasp the Balling method. Where I got lost was all the recent posts and my head started spinning. Just seemed like suddenly too many variables introduced but perhaps also it's early in the morning too.

The first post makes sense. Appreciate that it includes the dangers of dealing with hydroxide.

Glad it's not just me! I missed today's dose so need it set up for tomorrow hence me hounding poor Miami.

 

[GARRIGA]

Glad it's not just me! I missed today's dose so need it set up for tomorrow hence me hounding poor Miami.

Are you dosing by hand?

 

[Miami Reef]

1 cup = 236.588mls
x 0.75 =177.441mls
+5.7% = 187.555137mls
187.56

No. You aren’t adding 5.7% more. That’s not what I’m trying to say.

To put it another way, you will add x0.0537 as much as the other parts.

Where I got lost was all the recent posts and my head started spinning.

Ignore the recent posts. I was converting it for him because he wanted to make 20 liter batches.

All you need is the first post.

 

[Nossatron]

Are you dosing by hand?

Currently yes as I'm rewiring my fish room and dosers are all sitting on my lounge floor much to the mrs dismay.

And I've used up all my af balling I was using.

Initially I was using my calcium reactor but co2 prices here in nz are so expensive it's actually cheaper for me to buy 25kg bags of alk,cal and mag and all the trace than run co2. Let alone all the media and equipment required

 

[GARRIGA]

Ignore the recent posts. I was converting it for him because he wanted to make 20 liter batches.

I'm American so metric not my thing yet would be easier if reefing was all in metric because it actually is easier to calculate. Why I also read salt content in ppt vs sg.

Would it be logical to offer instructions in both gallons and liters on first post. I'd actually ignore the gallon recipe. If it already is then I apologize as I didn't see but then it's still morning and not all my brain cells yet functioning.

 

[Nossatron]

No. You aren’t adding 5.7% more. That’s not what I’m trying to say.

To put it another way, you will add .537 as much as the other parts.

‍ so I don't need to add a balancing 5.37% dose once a week anymore?

.537 what to what parts?

Test to make up the missing mag? Can't I just add it from the mag chloride+Epsom salts combo?

 

[Nossatron]

I'm American so metric not my thing yet would be easier if reefing was all in metric because it actually is easier to calculate. Why I also read salt content in ppt vs sg.

Would it be logical to offer instructions in both gallons and liters on first post. I'd actually ignore the gallon recipe. If it already is then I apologize as I didn't see but then it's still morning and not all my brain cells yet functioning.

I just found it hard to add 5.37% to 3/4 of a cup... lol

 

[GARRIGA]

Currently yes as I'm rewiring my fish room and dosers are all sitting on my lounge floor much to the mrs dismay.

And I've used up all my af balling I was using.

Initially I was using my calcium reactor but co2 prices here in nz are so expensive it's actually cheaper for me to buy 25kg bags of alk,cal and mag and all the trace than run co2. Let alone all the media and equipment required

Can relate with Mrs being annoyed. My test tank still outdoor leak proofing and all components sitting in the guest room closet with bottles of distilled against the wall and first thing this morning asking will today be the day

That's amazing co2 costs more to deliver there than chemicals but I get it. Personally, my main likely running a reactor just because once dialed in much easier to fill the tank and replace the media and tweak as life grows but still considering dosing yet have time to work the details out. Money set aside had to be used for other needs and I have time to tinker and work things out. Mrs happiness comes first

 

[GARRIGA]

I just found it hard to add 5.7% to 3/4 of a cup... lol

Me two. Can't speak two systems at once

 

[Nossatron]

Right I need sleep. Work in 4 hours so I guess you guys might still be awake while my eyes fall out of my head into a coffee that I'm hopefully hugging.

I'm just so lost to the periodically 1 bigger dose rather than adding it as you go. Now it's actually a 4 part not 3. I assume you're meant to separate the free salt from the magnesium blend? I guess to help dose and to stop it precipitating or to adjust for the bigger dose?

Appreciate thr time.

 

[Miami Reef]

‍ so I don't need to add a balancing 5.37% dose once a week anymore?

.537 what to what parts?

Test to make up the missing mag? Can't I just add it from the mag chloride+Epsom salts combo?

Make this:

Dissolve 3/4 cups Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate heptahydrate) and 7¼ cups magnesium chloride hexahydrate in enough purified fresh water to make one gallon of total volume.

Add 1,074mL of that solution when you finish the other parts.

If you want to make it equal, add 1,074mL of that solution to 20L. Then it will be equal 1:1:1:1

 

[Nossatron]

Make this:

Dissolve 3/4 cups Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate heptahydrate) and 7¼ cups magnesium chloride hexahydrate in enough purified fresh water to make one gallon of total volume.

Add 1,074mL of that solution when you finish the other parts.

If you want to make it equal, add 1,074mL of that solution to 20L. Then it will be equal 1:1:1:1

Then I'd be left with 1,74ml when the others are empty. I might find the weight of the mg chloride and sulfate and add to the 20l solution.

What I'm saying is why isn't this just calculated in the working anyhow?

 

[Nossatron]

The rewiring mess. Had it all tidy till moisture started getting into my control gear. Everything is currently getting re-routed into a cupboard inside