Quick questions on Kalk mixing and Dow?mag Flake

john fidler · 02/05/2008, 05:31 PM

1. I mix kalk in a 15 gal container with RODI and pump to the tank via a Reefiller. When making the batch does it matter whether you fill it first and then add kalk and stir? Or can you add the kalk as you're filling the reservoir and then maybe stir a little? Somehere someone on RC said the latter is not correct or causes it to precipitate(?)?

2. Does Dow flake and Mag flake harden with exposure to air? About ready to order a bag of 50 lb mag and just wondering if I should transfer to some empty IO salts buckets (after rinsing naturally) because they have a gasketed lid to keep it reasonably airtight. The Dow flake I will probably only order 1 or 2 gallons, but may still do the same thing if needed depending on the packaging it comes in.

Thanks

bertoni · 02/05/2008, 06:17 PM

1. The order of addition doesn't matter, in this case. Just stir after adding.

2. Both of those products will absorb moisture from the air and harden a bit. Neither has hardened enough to be a problem, in my experience.

Randy Holmes-Farley · 02/05/2008, 06:26 PM

My several year old Dowflake and MAG flake are very hard. I chop them out with a metal tool, but they are still fine.

john fidler · 02/05/2008, 06:26 PM

Thanks Bertoni

john fidler · 02/05/2008, 06:27 PM

Thanks also Randy.

Randy Holmes-Farley · 02/06/2008, 07:17 AM

Happy Reefing.

02/05/2008, 05:31 PM	#1
john fidler Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Hammonton, NJ Posts: 370	Quick questions on Kalk mixing and Dow?mag Flake 1. I mix kalk in a 15 gal container with RODI and pump to the tank via a Reefiller. When making the batch does it matter whether you fill it first and then add kalk and stir? Or can you add the kalk as you're filling the reservoir and then maybe stir a little? Somehere someone on RC said the latter is not correct or causes it to precipitate(?)? 2. Does Dow flake and Mag flake harden with exposure to air? About ready to order a bag of 50 lb mag and just wondering if I should transfer to some empty IO salts buckets (after rinsing naturally) because they have a gasketed lid to keep it reasonably airtight. The Dow flake I will probably only order 1 or 2 gallons, but may still do the same thing if needed depending on the packaging it comes in. Thanks

02/05/2008, 06:17 PM	#2
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	1. The order of addition doesn't matter, in this case. Just stir after adding. 2. Both of those products will absorb moisture from the air and harden a bit. Neither has hardened enough to be a problem, in my experience. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

02/05/2008, 06:26 PM	#3
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	My several year old Dowflake and MAG flake are very hard. I chop them out with a metal tool, but they are still fine. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

02/06/2008, 07:17 AM	#6
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	Happy Reefing. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

02/05/2008, 06:27 PM	#5
john fidler Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Hammonton, NJ Posts: 370	Thanks also Randy.