Bulk 2 Part Directions

Recipe 2

Item List:

(3) Clean one gallon jugs with caps

(3) Gallons of RO/DI water

(1) Magic marker for labeling containers

(1) One cup measuring cup

(1) Clean pail or bowl to mix dry magnesium material

(1) Funnel (this is not necessary, but makes adding material to the jugs much easier).

Mixing the Solutions

These directions will make 1 gallon each of Calcium, Alkalinity, and Magnesium solution.

Calcium

1. Fill one of the gallon jugs ¾ to 4/5^th with RO/DI water. This will make shaking and dissolving the solution much easier.
2. Measure out 1 cup of "High Purity Anhydrous Calcium Chloride." Add half of this to the jug, cap and shake vigorously.
3. Repeat "Step 2" with the remainder of the Calcium.
4. Fill the remainder of the jug with water, cap and label "Calcium."

Alkalinity

1. Fill one of the gallon jugs ¾ to 4/5^th with RO/DI water. This will make shaking and dissolving the solution much easier.
2. Measure out 1 and 1/8^th cups of "Sodium Bicarbonate." Add half of this to the jug, cap and shake vigorously.
3. Repeat "Step 2" with the remainder of the Sodium Bicarbonate.  
4. Fill the remainder of the jug with water, cap and label "Alkalinity."

Magnesium

1. Fill the last gallon jug 1/3 with RO/DI water. This will make shaking and dissolving the solution much easier.
2. Take 5 level cupfuls of "Magnesium Chloride" and 3 level cupfuls of "Magnesium Sulfate" and mix together in the clean pail or bowl.
3. Add 1/3 of this mixture to the gallon jug and shake vigorously.
4. Repeat "Step 2" with another 1/3 of the magnesium.  
5. Add the remaining magnesium and repeat "Step 2" until dissolved.
6. Fill the remainder of the jug with water, cap and label "Magnesium."

Dosing 2 Part

1. First test calcium, alkalinity and magnesium levels and adjust to their correct points if needed. Levels must be at the right points before beginning daily dosing. Use the calculator at http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/ during this step. *Spread the recommended adjusting doses out over a few days to avoid shocking the system. Be sure to dose each solution separately and slowly to high flow areas of the tank.*
2. Determine the daily dose.
1. Use the table below to help determine a good starting point for daily dosing of the Calcium and Alkalinity solutions. The daily doses of Calcium and Alkalinity will be equal amounts.

2. Add your doses of Calcium and Alkalinity separately and slowly to high flow areas of the tank.
3. After a few days of dosing retest Calcium and Alkalinity levels. If levels are not on target adjust the daily dose up or down. It may take some trial and error to get this part dialed in.
4. Once the dose is dialed in continue daily dosing until the gallon jugs of Calcium and Alkalinity are finished. At this point it is time to dose about 10 ounces of the Magnesium solution. This can be done entirely in one dose just remember to add slowly to a high flow area of the tank.

F.A.Q's

1. I see a cloud when I dose the Alkalinity portion, is this a problem? No, some cloud may be visible. The cloud occurs because the solution being added is highly concentrated and having a significant affect on the pH of the immediate area. This is why it is very important to dose slowly to a high flow area of the tank. Make sure the dose is correct and add slower.
2. It doesn't look like my magnesium portion has fully dissolved in my bottle after mixing with water, is this ok? Yes, it is normal for the magnesium solution to have some amount of precipitate around the bottom of the container. This is not to be of concern, just shake before dose.
3. I would like to dose the Magnesium portion in multiple doses instead of one dose in the end, is this ok? Yes, this is fine and many people opt to do this. Just keep the following ratio: 20oz of Magnesium solution for every 1 gallon of Calcium and Alkalinity. (20oz Magnesium:1 gallon Calcium:1 gallon Alkalinity)