BRS 2 part or homemade?

t5Nitro · 11/29/2009, 05:16 PM

Is there a benefit to buying the BRS 2 part kits to make Ca/Alk/Mg or is it the same as DIY with the Dow calcium chloride and baking soda?

Just curious since I looked into the BRS and was wanting to try one just to get the PVC jugs.

HighlandReefer · 11/29/2009, 05:47 PM

Dow products for calcium and magnesium are ok. Baking soda is fine.

BRS claims "Made with pharmaceutical grade material". Is pharmaceutical grade more pure then Dow?

t5Nitro · 11/29/2009, 07:41 PM

Maybe Randy will chime in.

HighlandReefer · 11/30/2009, 07:42 AM

I did some searching on the term pharmaceutical grade. Apparently, there are standards when used in research which need to meet certain requirements. Meaning it has to be produced in an inspected facility.

The term is commonly misused outside of scientific research.

Randy Holmes-Farley · 11/30/2009, 08:24 AM

If you can find Dow (calcium chloride) and Dead Sea Works (MAG flake) products locally, and want to save some money, I'd go with them. If you cannot, the materials from BRS and Buckeye Field Supply are good to go.

Amoore311 · 11/30/2009, 08:27 AM

I thought the Dow stuff could have problems with Bromide levels?

Amoore311 · 11/30/2009, 08:28 AM

Double post -_-

Randy Holmes-Farley · 11/30/2009, 08:34 AM

It does have some extra bromide. I've become convinced it is not a concern, in part due to large numbers of folks using it without a problem, and in part due to water changes, as discussed in this thread:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1527547

I'm also not certain how much bromide is present in higher "grades". Food grade from Dow, for example, has that same elevated bromide.

t5Nitro · 11/30/2009, 11:12 AM

I've only ever made Ca and Alk. I haven't ever added Mg. How often should it go in with the dow calcium chloride and baked baking soda? i would need a Mg test kit as well. What are your preferred kit?

Randy Holmes-Farley · 11/30/2009, 12:37 PM

I've designed the recipe to not require magnesium measurement, assuming it is starting at a reasonable concentration. Having a good test kit is certainly reasonable, however. I don't have a particular one I recommend.

Dosing of the magnesium part is covered in the same article.

11/29/2009, 05:16 PM	#1
t5Nitro Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 4,384	BRS 2 part or homemade? Is there a benefit to buying the BRS 2 part kits to make Ca/Alk/Mg or is it the same as DIY with the Dow calcium chloride and baking soda? Just curious since I looked into the BRS and was wanting to try one just to get the PVC jugs. __________________ ATI T5 club Current Tank Info: Left the hobby, looking to re-enter in the future

11/29/2009, 05:47 PM	#2
HighlandReefer Team RC Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highland, Maryland Entomologist Posts: 14,591	Dow products for calcium and magnesium are ok. Baking soda is fine. BRS claims "Made with pharmaceutical grade material". Is pharmaceutical grade more pure then Dow? __________________ Cliff Babcock Intestests: Digital Microscopy; Marine Pest Control; Marine Plants & Macroalgae Current Tank Info: 180 g. mixed reef system

11/29/2009, 07:41 PM	#3
t5Nitro Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 4,384	Maybe Randy will chime in. __________________ ATI T5 club Current Tank Info: Left the hobby, looking to re-enter in the future

11/30/2009, 07:42 AM	#4
HighlandReefer Team RC Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highland, Maryland Entomologist Posts: 14,591	I did some searching on the term pharmaceutical grade. Apparently, there are standards when used in research which need to meet certain requirements. Meaning it has to be produced in an inspected facility. The term is commonly misused outside of scientific research. __________________ Cliff Babcock Intestests: Digital Microscopy; Marine Pest Control; Marine Plants & Macroalgae Current Tank Info: 180 g. mixed reef system

11/30/2009, 08:24 AM	#5
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	If you can find Dow (calcium chloride) and Dead Sea Works (MAG flake) products locally, and want to save some money, I'd go with them. If you cannot, the materials from BRS and Buckeye Field Supply are good to go. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

11/30/2009, 08:27 AM	#6
Amoore311 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Ulster County, NY Posts: 2,521	I thought the Dow stuff could have problems with Bromide levels? __________________ 30 Gallon FOWLR 2004-2006 90 Gallon LPS Reef 2006-2008 180 Gallon SPS Reef 2008-20012 100 Gallon Custom Rimless Mixed Reef 2012-2014 29 Gallon Biocube Reef! Current Current Tank Info: 29 Gallon Biocube, StevesLED Upgrade, Neptune Apex

11/30/2009, 08:28 AM	#7
Amoore311 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Ulster County, NY Posts: 2,521	Double post -_- __________________ 30 Gallon FOWLR 2004-2006 90 Gallon LPS Reef 2006-2008 180 Gallon SPS Reef 2008-20012 100 Gallon Custom Rimless Mixed Reef 2012-2014 29 Gallon Biocube Reef! Current Current Tank Info: 29 Gallon Biocube, StevesLED Upgrade, Neptune Apex

11/30/2009, 08:34 AM	#8
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	It does have some extra bromide. I've become convinced it is not a concern, in part due to large numbers of folks using it without a problem, and in part due to water changes, as discussed in this thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1527547 I'm also not certain how much bromide is present in higher "grades". Food grade from Dow, for example, has that same elevated bromide. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

11/30/2009, 11:12 AM	#9
t5Nitro Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 4,384	I've only ever made Ca and Alk. I haven't ever added Mg. How often should it go in with the dow calcium chloride and baked baking soda? i would need a Mg test kit as well. What are your preferred kit? __________________ ATI T5 club Current Tank Info: Left the hobby, looking to re-enter in the future

11/30/2009, 12:37 PM	#10
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	I've designed the recipe to not require magnesium measurement, assuming it is starting at a reasonable concentration. Having a good test kit is certainly reasonable, however. I don't have a particular one I recommend. Dosing of the magnesium part is covered in the same article. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef