DowFlake & MagFlake

[bongo]

Anyone knows where to buy these?

Any dowside to using these instead of FM?

thanks

[xiaan]

Try
www.bulkreefsupply.com

[JD]

If you are in the Brockville area, I can sell you any of them for $3/lb.
I will can sell a pound of a bag full.

[alongfortheride]

It is a bit late for me to provide a substantial reply this evening, but take a quick look on Reef Central and read any of the articles by Randy Holmes-Farley (or R.H.F.) on his topics covering Dowflake and Magflake;
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/april2004/chem.htm

Please note at the bottom of the first article it is noted;
"Editors note (3/10/07): Note, the manufacturer of MAG flake has alerted us that they very strongly recommend against using this product in reef aquaria.  While many reef aquarists have successfully used the product, the manufacturer does not claim to be able to provide this product at suitable quality in the future."

Randy Holmes-Farley;
"so dowflake is ok to use?

It is OK to use as I stated in the first post. It may or may not be OK to use in routine supplementation, depending on how much is used and how fast bromide is depleted (unknown but certainly varies tank to tank)."
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1275153&highlight=dowflake+bromine

As you can read in most of Randy Holmes's articles, the main difference in these products is the impurities you will find in them. These impurities can cause browning out of your corals.
Additionally, FM has bio-polymers added to help improve colourations.

[pt109]

I've picked up MagFlake at the TSC store way south on Bank St.
Phone ahead, tho', as it's a winter (road salt) product.

FM? (translation, pls)

[alongfortheride]

FM - Fauna Marin

[percula99]

The downside to using Mag Flake and Dow Flake is because since 2006 Dow announced that it was no longer removing bromide from it's process. I have been using Briner's Choice calcium chloride (an alternative to Dow Flake) since November '08 and I have still to see any ill effect from bromide in it. People have been using the Dowflake since 2006 with no ill effects reported by anyone on Reef Central. It is 83-87% pure. I went with the Briners Choice because it is 94-97% pure. It is in pellet form as opposed to the Dowflake which is a flake. It is only more pure because it contains less water. I have found using it I use approximately 20% less Briners Choice than I did Dowflake. I contacted Randy Holmes-Farley personally, the chemistry section guru on RC. He said he had not tested it personally, but since people have been using it for three years (at that time) with no reports of tank disaster that it should be OK to use. There is bromide in natural sea water. It can be removed through regular skimming and running carbon. So if you have a potential fear of the possible ill effects of bromide, continue skimming and running carbon

I bought the Briners Choice at Blended Specialty Chemicals at 1456 Cyrville Road. A 50 pound bag was $38. I got my Magnesium Chloride at Ritchie's. A 50 pound bag was $18. I got my Magnesium Sulfate (Epsom Salts) at Costco, but you could get that anywhere. Ditto for the Arm & Hammer baking soda.

[dan2x38]

Percula99 what is the Magnesium Chloride at Ritchie's used for? What is the brand name? How do you the contents? Finally, how long have you used it? TANKz

[percula99]

Hi Dan

You mix the Magnesium Chloride from Ritchie's (Mag Flake) along with the Magnesium Sulfate (Epsom Salts) to mix up the magnesium supplement of Randy Holmes-Farley's two part calcium/alkalinity solution. Check pout the link to the article below. As I said in my original post, I have been doing this since November '08 and my tank has never been more stable.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php

[dan2x38]

Hi Dan

You mix the Magnesium Chloride from Ritchie's (Mag Flake) along with the Magnesium Sulfate (Epsom Salts) to mix up the magnesium supplement of Randy Holmes-Farley's two part calcium/alkalinity solution. Check pout the link to the article below. As I said in my original post, I have been doing this since November '08 and my tank has never been more stable.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php

OK I was curious which Mag they were selling there... I've read randy's articles very good.

Are you testing Mg levels?

[bongo]

This is very interesting and after reading Mr. Holmes-Farley cautionary note & the localy available bulk product's msds I find this info invaluable.

Will stay away from Dowflake

many many thanks to all fellow reefkeepers

[percula99]

OK I was curious which Mag they were selling there... I've read randy's articles very good.

Are you testing Mg levels?

I do test magnesium levels. I add some of the magnesium solution when it gets below 1300.

[dan2x38]

I do test magnesium levels. I add some of the magnesium solution when it gets below 1300.

Intital testing showed you were low? I understand almost all reef tanks initially are below ideal parametres. I have a kit ordered waiting for it to arrive. I have Mg chl. & Mg sul. Just serious if I could start dosing to build up slowly b/c I've also read usually the levels are way below 1200ppm and takes a large dosing to bring up to that level.

[percula99]

Be careful with dosing large amounts of magnesium trying to get to the proper level in one dosing. A friend of mine with a 300 gallon tank tested for magnesium and found he was very low and added large amounts of the magnesium solution and killed his fish. When I first tested for magnesium I was at 900. I added moderate amounts every day for over ten days before my levels hit 1300. The first few days the level never even moved off 900, then it started creeping up to where I wanted it.

[dan2x38]

Thanks... I release that any dosing to raise a level should be done gardually. So likely if I did small amounts for a bit without testing I would OK? Kit should be here shortly.