CaCl recipe substitute

[HVF21221]

I know R.H. Farley uses Dow Flake for the homemade recipe but can you use Calcium chloride Flake from General Chemical? Anyone know about this product?

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I've not tested any for purity except except Dowflake, ESV, Warner, and Kent. I expect that Peladow and Prestone Driveway heat can also be used since they appear to be dehyrated versions of Dowflake.

Other than that, I can't generally say.

Does that Calcium Chloride give a grade to it? The following grades are OK, IMO: ACS AR, FCC, USP, and BP.

[HVF21221]

Here is some more info on this product.

CaCl (http://www.gogenchem.com/techdata/ccflakespec.pdf)

More (http://www.gogenchem.com/calcium/CaCl2Frame1.html)

Thanks, I am still looking for the grade, I'm sure it says it somewhere here.

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

There is not typically enough data available on commercial materials, short of a grade specification, to claim they are pure enough. That's why I tested those in my article. They say in that sheet that a food grade is available, but the described material isn't.

[Hobster]

I too thought it was a "sure thing" but it seems the copper is very high. Here is a link to a past thread. Wish it wasn't so, as I can get lots of this locally:(

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=380867

[HVF21221]

OK, Thanks everyone. We had an old pallet of Dow flake but every bag got wet and the pallet is filled with 50# cubes!! I don't know if a hammer would bust them apart.

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

You're welcome.

Good luck!

[iamdickie]

Originally posted by Randy Holmes-Farley
You're welcome.

Good luck!

could you post a link to the recipe, i might be blind, but i cant find it anywhere!!!

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Sure:


A Homemade Two-Part Calcium and Alkalinity Additive System
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/april2004/chem.htm