I am curious if anyone here is using the recipe(s) suggested by folks like Randy Holmes-Farley for using Lye or Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH). Although it is possible to make your own solution from commonly available powder, I have access to 50% Caustic Soda. I created my own diluted solution tonight to do some testing. But I was wondering if anyone else here is dosing NaOH instead of traditional alk solutions.
I have to do additional programming on the Apex and DOS. I still need to figure out how much alk is being consumed by the system. Then I need to calculate the amount of alk per mL of the solution.It would not be precise, but a close enough calculation will get figured out soon.
EDIT: I had a chat on R2R with MiamiReef and RHF to get clarity with my ignorance about the calculations. The diluted solution of the 50% liquid NaOH turns out to be 566 grams of my solutions per 1 gallon of RODI. This equals the RHF's powdered version recipe of "Add 283 grams of sodium hydroxide to 1 gallon of fresh water. It will get quite warm. Make sure it doesn't soften your container. This solution will contain about 1,900 meq/L of alkalinity (5,300 dKH)."
This potentially will also offer a pH boost. What I don't know yet is if it will find equilibrium, similar to what happens with kalk dosing when it's dialed in. Or if I will have to stop the doser before it has dosed enough to give me the required alk. I currently have the DOS to turn off if the pH >8.3. 8.4
I haven't programmed the actual volume to dose during the day yet. That's next.
EDIT: Currently dosing 30mL total in a 24hr period. 20mL between midnight and 11am and then 10mL between 11am - 11pm. I will be changing that to 20mL total and shortening the time span. Plus I will program it to have enough time separation between the Ca doses.
I will be removing the AFR and transitioning to a dedicated Ca supplement. ATM, I have a couple bottles of ESV Ca that @Edgar Chavez gave me. I will use that up and then I will make my own based on the RHF DIY recipe.
I have to do additional programming on the Apex and DOS. I still need to figure out how much alk is being consumed by the system. Then I need to calculate the amount of alk per mL of the solution.
EDIT: I had a chat on R2R with MiamiReef and RHF to get clarity with my ignorance about the calculations. The diluted solution of the 50% liquid NaOH turns out to be 566 grams of my solutions per 1 gallon of RODI. This equals the RHF's powdered version recipe of "Add 283 grams of sodium hydroxide to 1 gallon of fresh water. It will get quite warm. Make sure it doesn't soften your container. This solution will contain about 1,900 meq/L of alkalinity (5,300 dKH)."
This potentially will also offer a pH boost. What I don't know yet is if it will find equilibrium, similar to what happens with kalk dosing when it's dialed in. Or if I will have to stop the doser before it has dosed enough to give me the required alk. I currently have the DOS to turn off if the pH >
I haven't programmed the actual volume to dose during the day yet. That's next.
EDIT: Currently dosing 30mL total in a 24hr period. 20mL between midnight and 11am and then 10mL between 11am - 11pm. I will be changing that to 20mL total and shortening the time span. Plus I will program it to have enough time separation between the Ca doses.
I will be removing the AFR and transitioning to a dedicated Ca supplement. ATM, I have a couple bottles of ESV Ca that @Edgar Chavez gave me. I will use that up and then I will make my own based on the RHF DIY recipe.
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