Item List

• 3 clean one gallon jugs with caps
• 3 gallons of RO/DI or filtered water
• Magic marker for labeling containers
• Clean 1 gallon (or larger) bucket or bowl
• Funnel
• Mixing spoon

Mixing the Solutions

Calcium

• Measure out 2 household measuring cups of  Calcium Chloride Dihydrate and add to a one gallon jug. 
• Fill this jug about 4/5th with RO/DI water, secure cap and shake until dissolved
• Fill the remainder of the jug with RO/DI or filtered water
• Label "Calcium" and let sit for several hours before use

Alkalinity *Note* Mixing the alkalinity portion directly in the jug is more difficult to dissolve and may result in clumps forming at the bottom. If clumps occur warm the jug in a sink of hot water and shake vigorously.

• Fill one of the gallon jugs about 4/5th with RO/DI or filtered water and pour into the empty bucket or bowl
• Measure out 1 1/8 cups of Sodium Bicarbonate.
• While stirring the water slowly pour the Soda Ash into the bucket or bowl.
• When dissolved use the funnel to pour the solution into one of the empty gallon jugs
• Fill the remainder of the jug with water, cap and label "Alkalinity." Let the solution sit for several hours before use

Magnesium

• Add 5 level cups of Magnesium Chloride and 3 level cupfuls of Magnesium Sulfate to a one gallon jug.
• Fill this jug about 4/5th with RO/DI or filtered water, cap and shake until dissolved.
• Fill the remainder of the jug with water, cap and label "Magnesium." Let the solution sit for several hours before use.

Dosing 2 Part

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.  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. This is especially important when dosing the Alkalinity portion of Recipe 2 as a temporary decrease in pH will occur. When dosing Alkalinity white flakes or a cloud may appear. This is normal and happens because the solution is highly concentrated. It will dissipate as the solution spreads throughout the tank. Just be sure to add the dose slowly to a high flow area.

• Determine the daily dose by starting with the table below. Calcium and Alkalinity will be dosed daily in equal amounts.
• Add your doses of Calcium and Alkalinity separately and slowly to high flow areas of the tank. This is especially important when dosing the Alkalinity portion of Recipe 1 as a temporary increase in pH will occur.
• After a few days of dosing retest Calcium and Alkalinity levels. If levels are not on target adjust the dose up or down. It may take some trial and error to get this part dialed in.
• 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 20oz 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.
• It is OK to dose the Magnesium portion in multiple doses instead of one dose at the end. If you opt to do this, just keep to the following ratio: 20oz of Magnesium solution for every 1 gallon of Calcium and Alkalinity. (20oz Magnesium:1 gallon Calcium:1 gallon Alkalinity)