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Post by jasonandsarah on Jan 9, 2014 5:28:19 GMT -5
I got my new Dr fosters and Smith's catalog yesterday and when I was skimming through it I found these new products they have and they're allot cheaper then anywhere else I've seen for packaged powder supplements in bulk. Attachments:
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Post by jasonandsarah on Jan 9, 2014 5:44:06 GMT -5
Sodium bicarbonate
4 lbs $10.99
8 lbs $18.99
40 lbs $69.99
Sodium carbonate
3.5 lbs $10.99
7 lbs $18.99
35 lbs $69.99
Calcium chloride
3.5 lbs $10.99
7 lbs $18.99
35 lbs $69.99
Magnesium chloride
3 lbs $10.99
6 lbs $18.99
30 lbs $69.99
Magnesium sulfate
3 lbs $10.99
6 lbs $18.99
30 lbs $69.99
And shipping is allot cheaper with Dr fosters and Smith's then brs.I recently purchased the complete package 2 part dosing from brs and it came in with broken jugs, powder everywhere they sent a brand new one but still a hassle and the cheapest shipping was $18.97 and it took forever to get here! Dr fosters and Smith's shipping is only like $6 and it's normally pretty fast.
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Post by gotareef on Jan 9, 2014 9:39:48 GMT -5
you can get everything at the local stores for 1/3 the price, usually way less
most of them you can buy 50# for under $20
Sodium bicarbonate= baking soda
Sodium carbonate= baking powder
Calcium chloride= ice melt
Magnesium chloride= ice melt
Magnesium sulfate= epsom salt
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Post by jasonandsarah on Jan 9, 2014 10:13:28 GMT -5
I'm sure if you can buy all these things at most stores but me personally I'm not using quick melt in my tank and how would you even know how much to use? It's big chucks and the stuff I buy in bulk is a powder except the magnesium it's a little chunky but either way there's just to many unknowns when using some of these things. Baking soda and baking powder would probably be ok but me personally I want whatever I'm putting in my tank to be tested and know the exact amounts I have to use.
Pickling lime is one thing but having to use 5 or 6 different things on a regular basis? Just sounds like more headache and to much risk over spending a few extra dollars to get good stuff that you know what it is and what it's used for and how much to use.
I'm sure more experienced reefers can do this (like Rob)successfully but for me I think it's worth the extra expense.
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Post by jasonandsarah on Jan 9, 2014 10:23:08 GMT -5
These are the listed ingredients in baking powder. I'm not trying to say anything bad but this is how some newbie reads this post and thinks he should be adding baking powder into his reef tank instead of soda ash and doesn't know any better I really don't think corn starch or any of the other things in those ingredients are things I want in my tank? And that's only 1 of the things you'd have to make sure was pure and right for your tank Attachments:
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fragfreaks
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Posts: 542 
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Post by fragfreaks on Jan 9, 2014 12:43:11 GMT -5
I got my new Dr fosters and Smith's catalog yesterday and when I was skimming through it I found these new products they have and they're allot cheaper then anywhere else I've seen for packaged powder supplements in bulk. If you do end up trying the Dr Fosters and Smith's brand supplements please let me know how you like it. Although I have never had any issues with broken bottles or containers from BRS their shipping can get quite expensive. |
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Post by oceangirl2009 on Jan 9, 2014 13:25:27 GMT -5
I've purchased from Drs Foster and Smith several times and have had no issues with damaged product.
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Post by jasonandsarah on Jan 9, 2014 13:52:45 GMT -5
I have also ordered from Dr fosters and Smith's with no problems. It was bulk reef supply and it's happened to me twice but I still love there products and customer service.
It's more about the cheaper shopping and product from Dr fosters and Smith's. Now we just have to find out if it's a good product witch I'm pretty sure it is.
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Post by gotareef on Jan 9, 2014 14:31:42 GMT -5
Sodium bicarbonate= baking soda Sodium carbonate= baking powder Negative, batman. Baking Powder includes baking soda (bicarbonate) but also includes an acid agent (Potassium bitartrate), and sometimes alum. You CAN make sodium Carbonate from Bicarbonate (Soda) by baking it for a while. 200-250 degrees for half hour will do the trick. most baking soda is 100% pure Sodium bicarbonate depends on what kind you get... you need to look for pure soda ash, I think you can even get it from the local pool place |
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Post by jasonandsarah on Jan 10, 2014 5:42:47 GMT -5
For around $70 for soda ash, calcium chloride,magnesium sulfate and magnesium chloride shipped from brs with measuring cups, funnels, jugs w/squirt tops for dispensing it's really not that bad on the wallet and I'm sure it'll last awhile.
Now from Dr fosters and Smith's you can get the same thing for around $50 you can get the same supplements and if you buy the bigger jugs(7-8 lbs) of it you save even more!
I personally would still recommend bulk reef supply for anyone out there that is just starting to get these additives because it's like a mini starter kit with all the extra stuff you get as I said above. I will be trying these other bulk additives in the future from Dr fosters but I don't think it'll be for awhile since I have about 10 lbs of each now.
Maybe someone else would like to try them and give us a review?
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Post by jasonandsarah on Jan 10, 2014 6:08:06 GMT -5
Idk who else gets the Dr fosters and Smith's catalog?? But they have some very good deals going on right now.
Tom's aqua lifter pump(ato) $13.99
Hydor centrifugal pumps
70 gph $9.99 / 300 gph $15.99 4 more pumps inbetween these. 100,160,200,260
Hydor koralia pumps are 15% off
Azoo battery back up air pump
Single $3.99 / 3pk $10.99
To many to list but I thought these were a few notable deals for people
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Post by jasonandsarah on Jan 10, 2014 8:39:16 GMT -5
I actually have an extra starter kit from brs squirt top(x2), measuring cups(x2), funnel and big mixing and dispensing jugs(x3) If there's anyone that hasn't used these products but always wanted to, we could possibly work something out so I could fill the jugs enough to try it and you could keep the starter kit? Or just trade the kit alone? NOTE: I'm not trading or selling the cal, soda ash or mag just the stuff that comes with it, as I have 2 sets. Attachments:
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fragfreaks
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Post by fragfreaks on Jan 10, 2014 12:33:33 GMT -5
I might try out the Foster and Smith supplements. I am starting to run low on my two part and was planning on ordering some new supplements from BRS fairly soon so maybe I will go the other route.
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Post by industry on Jan 10, 2014 18:04:21 GMT -5
Sodium carbonate= Washing soda
if you want to use these products in your reef jut get the MSDS sheets from the manufacturer. they will tell you if it has ANY ingredients other than what you are looking to gain, ie. anti-caking agents, etc. I use arm and hammer baking soda for Alk adjustments. do your own research though. it works for me, but it's your tank.
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Post by jasonandsarah on Jan 11, 2014 8:43:30 GMT -5
Baking soda can be used for alk it's baking powder we were saying shouldn't be used.
Either way like I said before not everyone can do these type of diy supplements,I myself would rather just pay the couple extra dollars in the long run and lessen my risks of failure.
Baking soda is like what 1.50$ a pound? $6 for 4 lbs? Is that right? Soda ash or sodium carbonate is $10.99 for 4 lbs not that big of a difference imo? Could be way off on those #'s though just guessing?
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