Correct amount of Mrs. Swages

fishface14 · 01/15/2010, 11:58 AM

I am beginning to dose Mrs. Swages in my ATO water. What is the correct amount to use per gallon, I have read conflicting responses. Some say to "teaspoons" per gallon why other say two "tablespoons" anyone have a more concrete answer or some science to back it up?
Thanks in advance, Nic

Jackri · 01/15/2010, 12:02 PM

As a general guide line I used to use one tablespoon per gallon. I'm not sure what you are trying to get at between the difference of "to" and "two".

I personally stopped using Mrs Wages pickling lime as you only want the stuff between the crust on top, and the sludge on the bottom. It added phosphates to my tank and now I'm working on winning the battle of Green Hair Algae.

Bulkreefsupply has the same thing and in bulk it's pretty much the same price as Mrs. Wages Pickling Lime without any added phosphated/etc.

jefathome · 01/15/2010, 12:05 PM

Really? Phosphates? Maybe THAT is why I'm getting red-slime. Was debating a Ca reactor, but this info may push me over the edge.

DThompson · 01/15/2010, 12:09 PM

I like the 2 part. Although a Calcium reactor is the way to go imo.

Randy Holmes-Farley · 01/15/2010, 12:29 PM

I think it unlikely that Mrs. Wages lime (or any food grade lime/calcium hydroxide/quicklime/calcium oxide) added any significant amounts of phosphate to an aquarium.

I've used nothing but limewater for 14 years and think it a fine method, but two parts and CaCO3/CO2 reactors are also fine methods.

2 level teaspoons of lime per gallon of fresh water is about all that will dissolve. Adding more will just leave an undissolved mud on the bottom.

This has more:

What Your Grandmother Never Told You About Lime
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/index.htm

01/15/2010, 11:58 AM	#1
fishface14 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 2	Correct amount of Mrs. Swages I am beginning to dose Mrs. Swages in my ATO water. What is the correct amount to use per gallon, I have read conflicting responses. Some say to "teaspoons" per gallon why other say two "tablespoons" anyone have a more concrete answer or some science to back it up? Thanks in advance, Nic

01/15/2010, 12:05 PM	#3
jefathome Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Mission Viejo, CA Posts: 2,915	Really? Phosphates? Maybe THAT is why I'm getting red-slime. Was debating a Ca reactor, but this info may push me over the edge. __________________ Without Geometry, life is pointless Current Tank Info: NEW 150g in-wall Solartube display; 60g 4x2ft frag tank; 3g work Pico.... all Reef tanks

01/15/2010, 12:29 PM	#5
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	I think it unlikely that Mrs. Wages lime (or any food grade lime/calcium hydroxide/quicklime/calcium oxide) added any significant amounts of phosphate to an aquarium. I've used nothing but limewater for 14 years and think it a fine method, but two parts and CaCO3/CO2 reactors are also fine methods. 2 level teaspoons of lime per gallon of fresh water is about all that will dissolve. Adding more will just leave an undissolved mud on the bottom. This has more: What Your Grandmother Never Told You About Lime http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/index.htm __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

01/15/2010, 12:02 PM	#2
Jackri Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: West Fargo, ND Posts: 66	As a general guide line I used to use one tablespoon per gallon. I'm not sure what you are trying to get at between the difference of "to" and "two". I personally stopped using Mrs Wages pickling lime as you only want the stuff between the crust on top, and the sludge on the bottom. It added phosphates to my tank and now I'm working on winning the battle of Green Hair Algae. Bulkreefsupply has the same thing and in bulk it's pretty much the same price as Mrs. Wages Pickling Lime without any added phosphated/etc.

01/15/2010, 12:09 PM	#4
DThompson Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Scottsadale, AZ Posts: 374	I like the 2 part. Although a Calcium reactor is the way to go imo.