Homemade Alkalinity Additive

MoneyPit · Jan 8, 2011

I recently had an alk drop, due to lack of maintenance. My dKH level was down to 6.7. I have never had to dose for alk because my water changes were good enough to keep it stable, 10 percent every week. The more corals I add and the less water I changes I do, well you get the picture. I found that I can add a homemade mix of soda ash and baking soda. I make the soda ash by baking the baking soda at 350 for 30 minutes. Then mix 1 part soda ash to 6 parts baking soda. That ratio makes a PH of about 8.0. The post I read said to dose 1 teaspoon for every 25 gal of water to raise your levels by 1 dKH. I found that to be too much. That amount raised my level 2.4 to 9.1 dKH overnight. All my corals and fish appear to be ok though. So I recommend dosing 1 teaspoon per 50 gal. What do you think, would you use this?

thewackyreefer · Jan 8, 2011

As long as you can find a way to accurately measure what you're dosing I don't see why not! Personally I use a 2 (well, 3) part from BRS but there are plenty out there who use homemade additives.

Luisra · Jan 8, 2011

An Improved Do-it-Yourself Two-Part Calcium and Alkalinity Supplement System by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

I had the same trouble due to lack of maintenance, and this worked for me. You should do it. I've been dosing this for weeks, and haven't seen any adverse effects. A little box of baking soda costs 99 cents, and last for weeks. I bake mine for an hour at 350, overheating is not a problem, either with higher temperatures or longer times, but undercooking is a problem.

Paul_N · Jan 8, 2011

I am in the process of doing this as soon as my BRS 2 part runs out. I got a 13.5lb bag of baking soda from Sams club for $5. I also got a 50# bag of the Peladow on hold to pick up local for the Calcium.

MoneyPit · Jan 8, 2011

I have a digital scale for measuring and homemade is cheap. More money for corals !!!

Cook it longer, got it. That's a long article I will read it though. Thanks

Peladow, hmmm, now where can I get some of that in Florida.

KingRicky · Jan 28, 2011

I get my Calcium Chloride from the local Ready Mix Concrete plant. I work construction and asked one of the drivers for some and he brought me a 50 lb. bag for free. I called the plant and they want $11.00 for it. The bag says it's 98%. I have been using it for months and it works great.

Mr.Firemouth · Jan 28, 2011

I use the RHF methods. They are way cheaper.

Big Country · Jan 31, 2011

I've been using the BRS additives but am almost out, except for enough soda ash to make 1 more gallon of ALK. I finally found a 50# bag of Dead Sea Works Magflake at Southern States this weekend am going to go back and look for the Calcium Chloride that RHF recommends next time I'm over there, I think I remember them having the ESV brand

drainbamage · Jan 31, 2011

BRS sells sodium bicarbonate for one of their 2/3 part recipes, so not really that much different, good investigative science Gary

MoneyPit · Jan 31, 2011

Thanks, I had to have a quick fix. So I found one.

skinz78 · Feb 1, 2011

Good info, I have been getting premixed Alk from a local reefer but I feel bad bumming it off of him so when I run out I will be trying this. Since my tank just soaks up the Alk it will be sooner than later.

MoneyPit · Jul 15, 2011

Still using the homemade alk supplement, and it's working great. How about you guys?

GR808 · Jul 15, 2011

Do you dose ca as well?

skinz78 · Jul 15, 2011

I've since made my own and I gotta say it is sooo cheap to do! Works like a charm too.

GR808 · Jul 15, 2011

Chris, which recipe do you use?

MoneyPit · Jul 15, 2011

I'm glad to here you made your own. What ratio of baking soda and soda ash do you use? Once you figure how much to dose it's great. As for the price, ya can't beat it.

Right now I am using Liquid Reef by Brightwell for my Ca. I dose a cap full once a week. Between that and water changes my Ca stays around 450.