BRS Two-part

[Flreefer]

Does anyone use the BRS Two-part Ca, Alk, Mag. kit? If so, what do you think of it?
I've always used other products, and am thinking of switching to this.
Thanks

 

[bavass]

I loved it with the 1.1mL dosers, I am trying Klak now just becuase I never have and wanted to see if I like it better than 2 part.

 

[Flreefer]

I loved it with the 1.1mL dosers, I am trying Klak now just becuase I never have and wanted to see if I like it better than 2 part.

Do you mean the automatic dosers?

 

[bavass]

Yes the 1.1mL dosing pumps had one on calcium and one on alk

 

[Flreefer]

Sounds great, but can't swing that right now. I can dose manually right?

 

[bavass]

Yes it comes with good instructions

 

[Flreefer]

Cool, I hate switching stuff. I've used Reef Buffer and liquid Ca for years, but was thinking this would be better.
Was it hard to set it up on the dosers? I want to eventually get some of those too.

 

[ccCapt]

Even tho the BRS kit is cheap, you can save yourself some money.
The alk part is nothing more than either sodium bicarbonate for recipe 2 (regular Arm&Hammer baking soda) or sodium carbonate - soda ash for recipe 1 (Arm&Hammer baking soda that is baked in the oven for 1 hr).
The mag part is 2 types of magnesium. You can get the magnesium sulfate at your local Rite Aid or CVS. It's Epsom salts. The magnesium chloride is MagFlake Ice Melt, but you may have a hard time finding that in Fla, so you would probably have to order it.
I've been making my own 2-part for years.
An Improved Do-it-Yourself Two-Part Calcium and Alkalinity Supplement System by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

 

[Flreefer]

I've seen this on here before, and asked my LFS that I usually get a pretty

 

[bavass]

Very easy to set up on dosers. Just keep track how much you dose a week and however many mL you dose a week is how many minutes you run the dosers.

 

[Flreefer]

Sorry, premature post...
I asked a good LFS, and he said that it's dangerous to use. Any reason why? I don't normally but this stuff there anyway, so I don't think he was just trying to sell me, but it's possible.
I will def check out the link!! Anything I can save right now, would help a lot. I get a lot of heat for my hobby from the wife. Job has been pretty unstable lately... After 16 years at the same grind!

 

[Flreefer]

Very easy to set up on dosers. Just keep track how much you dose a week and however many mL you dose a week is how many minutes you run the dosers.

Cool, sounds pretty easy. Thanks for the info.

 

[ccCapt]

What did he say was dangerous to use?

 

[Flreefer]

He didn't really explain it, just kinda winced and said you could easily overdose. But I guess that's with almost anything.

 

[Flreefer]

Thanks for the info cc...good stuff, I'm going to try to round up the materials to start doing it that way. My heads spinning!

 

[ccCapt]

The only things you would probably need to buy from BRS is the calcium chloride and magnesium chloride. Being I live in PA and both are used as ice melts, I was able to buy the exact same things from in the 2-part article. I bought 2 50lb bags ($17 each) of DowFlake (calcium chloride) and a 50 lb bag ($14) of MagFlake (magnesium chloride) both of which will last forever.
You should have no problems finding Arm&Hammer baking soda and Espom salts.

 

[Flreefer]

I'm going to see if Home D will order some for me, their other stores get it, they should be able to order some. I might have to pay an order charge, but it would probably be less than a shipping charge from some other company. Then I've got it, like you said 3- 50# bags should last a long time.
Thanks again!!

 

[ccCapt]

Check this out....
http://www.buckeyefieldsupply.com/showproducts.asp?Category=239&Sub=124
http://www.buckeyefieldsupply.com/showproducts.asp?Category=240&Sub=124

 

[Flreefer]

Cc, thank you so much!! I was getting the run-around from the Depot... To the point of asking what I needed it for, I don't even look like your typical terrorist!! Give me a break!!
That's awesome. Can't afford a lot right now, so to be able to get less than a 5 gal bucket is really cool.
I owe you big!!
Thanks again..... Toby G.