Doseing calcium chloride

[matts125]

I am trying to help my Father get his calcium up in his tank and I want to know how to dose pure calcium chloride? I know I would mix it with RODI water but I need to know how much Calcium Clhoride to water and how much to dose, Any Ideas??

Matt

 

[DonW]

Add enough water so that the solution is clear. 6 tsp takes about a pint of water.

Don

 

[matts125]

Now how do you dose that???
Thanks,
Matt

 

[DonW]

Now how do you dose that???
Thanks,
Matt

Dump it in the sump, high flow area. Its ok to dose ca by just tossing it in. Alk needs to be slower.

Don

 

[thekingfish]

If you're wondering how much to dose, you can use the link to calcuate how much you need calcium chloride. Of course you need to test before and after to make sure you get the levels you want.

http://jdieck1.home.comcast.net/chemcalc.html

 

[matts125]

Dump the whole pint in???
Matt

Dump it in the sump, high flow area. Its ok to dose ca by just tossing it in. Alk needs to be slower.

Don

 

[DonW]

Dump the whole pint in???
Matt

Yup. Use the calculator, determine how many tsp of ca chloride. If its reasonable like 6-10 mix it in a pint of rodi water. If it stays cloudy add more water. Then just dump it in. the sump that is.

Don

 

[steve-s]

Matt, as long as the CaCl is properly diluted and the quantity does not exceed the recommended levels for the tanks volume on the whole, large additions are not a concern. True CaCl will not generally impact anything.

As Don indicated, adding buffers for alk is your main concern. CaCl will not impact alkalinity. FWIW, dry forms of CaCl like Kent Turbo CA give your best bang for the buck. Be sure that Mg is about 3x what your target goal is for Ca. Usually about 1150-1250 ppm Mg.

 

[matts125]

Matt, as long as the CaCl is properly diluted and the quantity does not exceed the recommended levels for the tanks volume on the whole, large additions are not a concern. True CaCl will not generally impact anything.

As Don indicated, adding buffers for alk is your main concern. CaCl will not impact alkalinity. FWIW, dry forms of CaCl like Kent Turbo CA give your best bang for the buck. Be sure that Mg is about 3x what your target goal is for Ca. Usually about 1150-1250 ppm Mg.

Thanks steve that makes perfect sense!

Matt