Bulk Reef Supply 2 part calcium/alkalinity system

I highly recommend these mix it yourself aquarium supplements.Before using these products I had trouble maintaining the proper parameters in some of our tanks.Calcium in heavily stocks tanks would drop as low as 320ppm.
   I had to dose daily for weeks to bring this number up.After a month, calcuim levels sabilized(currently 400-500 ppm).Now I dose the tanks as needed,about once a week or less.
   Using the magnesium component on multiple tanks can be tricky.The company recommends using 20 ounces of magnesium for every gallon(one of each solution)consumed.So I had to keep track of how many milliliters were used in each individual tank.
   Otherwise the system is very easy to use .No cooking required,just basic measuring and stIrring.I like how you can use the products separately*.This way you can customize dosing for different types of setups(i.e.hard or soft corals).And these products have proven to be a economical way to maintain calcium,alkalininty and magnesium levels in multiple tanks.
    Additional information:
               *Always store solutions separately and dose them at different times of the day.Otherwise,the chemicals may react and cancel each other out.
                These products are availible from the company website at http://www.bulkreefsupply.com                  The Starter package (makes 3 gallons of solution) cost $49.99.This includes Calcium chloride,soda ash,magnesium chloride,magnesium sulfate,dispensing pumps and gallon jugs for storage.
                 BRS offers a customer loyality and group buy program.They also offer weekly giveaways.All you have to do is sign up for their e-mails. " />

i really want a few dosing pumps for my setups but i am thinking i can wait.they are far from cheap.

Just to clarify,the "dosing pumps" that come with the start up kit are just dispensers for gallon jugs.Similar to a soap dispenser.

I want dosing pumps too. I saw BRS had them on sale for something like $85 recently. I should have bit the bullet and got em. Oh well, someday I will get 2 of them and hook them up to my controller. No more morning dose routine! Really, I tend to run high pH (just happens that way) on my main system and I prefer to dose the Alk in early morning (like 2AM) when pH is naturally lower. As soon as I get those dosing pumps, I will be able to sleep an entire night.

I'm curious. Why is there CaCl, and Soda Ash? I understand the MgSO4 and the Bicarb. I guess I'm really wondering what the Soda Ash provides.

Calcium chloride is the dosing ingredient for calcium. Soda ash is the supplement for carbonate. Soda ash is sodium carbonate. Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate. You can bake baking soda to get soda ash. High dry heat drives off co2 and water vapor leaving carbonate behind. Dosing sodium bicarbonate will dissolve into sodium and bicarbonate. The bicarbonate will further dissolve into carbonate, water and co2, then the co2 will turn into carbonic acid (which can slightly lower pH). Soda ash will dissolve into straight up sodium and carbonate which will raise pH. You can use like 75% bicarbonate and 25% carbonate for your dose and get almost no pH change (carbonate raises, bicarbonate lowers). Calcium + carbonate + a little magnesium = coral skeleton growth.

it may seem excesive to have so much but i am one that likes to prepare for any contingency without having to leave my watery dungeon.to be honest though i have used very little soda ash but i have used it so...

I wanted to mention that for some reason the calcium chloride likes to eat through plastic bottles.I recommend using a heavy duty vinegar jug to store it.

and a funnel with possible a towel on hand as some of these chemicals can cause some nasty irritation to the skin. So far I have been fine with a good old distilled water jug, I would be pissed if it leaked as it is in a corner in my kitchen and I would not notice for a while I am sure.