Yes, it is... and is exactly what I have posted in the very top sticky on my forum -
http://www.marineaquariumsa.com/showthread.php?t=3375
I must credit Dr. Randy Holmes-Farley for the DIY calcium, magnesium, and alkalinity additive recipes that I use. You can read his articles
here and
here and
here for the full story, but in short:
Ingredients:
- Calcium chloride (CaCl2) - we don't get the products here in SA which they use in the USA, and I don't particularly trust the available "industrial" grade products, so I buy chemically pure (CP) grade calcium chloride from one of the scientific chemical supply companies.
- Magnesium chloride (MgCl2) - same as with the calcium chloride, buy from a scientific chemical supply company.
- Magnesium sulphate (MgSO4) - buy Epsom salt (BP grade) from any chemist.
- Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) (also known as sodium hydrogen carbonate) - buy food grade baking soda ("Koeksoda") from any grocer or chemist.
But now I am worried this says use one product & Midas says no no?
Actually, it does not. Dr. Holmes-Farley's recipe specifically allows for the addition of 3 major constituents, namely calcium (the calcium chloride), magnesium (the magnesium sulphate £ magnesium chloride mix) and carbonate alkalinity (sodium bicarbonate or sodium carbonate). He (and I, in my article) stresses the fact that the additions should be ionically balanced - that's what the recipes are for...
I know Kalk can assist with CA needs but am looking for a CA only product as well
Lime water is IMHO the best, and easiest to use, "balanced" calcium and alkalinity additive, and should be used by everyone. It DOES have some inherent risks, though, and should be used sensibly (and again IMHO never added via an auto top-up device or "kalk stirrer" coupled to a fresh water top-up system. The ONLY ways to use kalk/lime is via a slow drip system, or as a "direct slurry inject" system, but the latter ONLY is you are experienced, AND have an electronic pH measuring devise continuously monitoring the tank water (in fact, as far as I'm concerned, ALL tanks should have this...).
If your calcium, magnesium or alkalinity level is out of whack to begin with, I would advise to firstly do a few largish (15% - 25% maximum) partial water changes (this alone would correct the majority of ionic imbalances and go a long way towards correcting the levels of magnesium, calcium and alkalinity). After this, you should adjust the levels to where you want them by using "single" products such as calcium chloride or sodium bicarbonate (note, natural sea water only has a calcium level of about 380 - 400ppm, and you really don't need this level to be any higher...). Once all levels are where you want them (and in balanced proportions), you should maintain these levels by either adding "balanced" supplements such as those from Dr. Holmes-Farley's recipe, by only dripping lime water (perhaps "spiked" with some vinegar, if needed) or by running a calcium reactor (the best in the long run).
Hennie.