Mixing all for reef powder.

[Notsolostfish]

Im currently dosing 55ml a day of liquid AFR, and i cant keep up with the cost, im switching to powder, bought a 1000ml pyrex, magnetic stirrer. What else do i need? And how do i mix it for how long

 

[crazyfishmom]

I’ve found it easier to weigh out the powder and more consistency that way rather than going for number of scoops so maybe a small scale would be good to have on hand.

I found that mixing mine at half strength made the process considerably easier and got more consistency from batch to batch.

 

[Red_Beard]

+1 on the scale. Gram accuracy is good enough. Much better to weigh it in than measure volume. I usually mix mine over a few hours, but i dont have a mag stirer and am just doing it by hand. Shake the jug for a minute or two every hour or so and once more in the morning.

 

[Pistondog]

I use a 1 gallon container for the end afr mix for dosing.

1. Put 900ml rodi in 2 liter pitcher
2. Put 6 scoops of afr powder in pitcher
3. Stir for 60 secs
4. Transfer to 1 gallon jug
5. Goto1, stop if full
6. Might pour back and forth between pitcher and jug to mix if required.

 

[exnisstech]

You have a beaker and stirrer so mix per the instructions. My RODI is in the basement and temp is in the 60s. I mixed it at that temp but recently started bringing it up to the mid 70s and it seems to mix faster tho I don't actually time it. I just turn the stirrer on and go do stuff and turn it off when it's clear. Mine has a yellowish tint so its never crystal clear. I don't think you can over mix it but am not positive. I also weigh the powder.

 

[Notsolostfish]

+1 on the scale. Gram accuracy is good enough. Much better to weigh it in than measure volume. I usually mix mine over a few hours, but i dont have a mag stirer and am just doing it by hand. Shake the jug for a minute or two every hour or so and once more in the morning.

So how do i do it? Just put my 1000ml beaker on the scale add 6 scoops and measure? And then add water?

I’ve found it easier to weigh out the powder and more consistency that way rather than going for number of scoops so maybe a small scale would be good to have on hand.

I found that mixing mine at half strength made the process considerably easier and got more consistency from batch to batch.

 

[FUNGI]

I just mixed the entire batch (800g Powder) at once....5L Dosing container with small sicce pump.....mixed over night and same as exnisstech, small hint of yellow.

 

[Ef4life]

I use a 1500ml Nalgene bottle to mix it in. Add the correct volume of water, 6 scoops, and close the lid and shake it for about 1 minute. Then it’s done.

 

[Dragen Fiend]

Yea I have a magnetic stirrer for mine. I use a food scale and weigh out the 160g.

I bought some 1000ml plastic bottles off amazon. Add the 900ml RODI water. Then slowly mix in the powder. I leave it stirring for about 30 minutes. Bringing it up to room temp helps dissolve.

 

[twentyleagues]

So how do i do it? Just put my 1000ml beaker on the scale add 6 scoops and measure? And then add water?

I put the 900ml water in a pitcher add 6 level scoops and mix with a big plastic spoon, then dump into my dosing container.

 

[claydogg84]

Mag stirrer with a 1000 ml beaker. I use room temp RODI so around 70. Dump the directed amount of scoops and let it run for an hour or so. Has always totally dissolved without issue for me.

 

[crazyfishmom]

So how do i do it? Just put my 1000ml beaker on the scale add 6 scoops and measure? And then add water?

I have a 4000 mL beaker and make 2 liters at a time; I prefer to put 1000 mL of RODI in first then add 160 grams of powder and then I fill to 2000 mL. This is half strength.

 

[areefer01]

Sounds like you got everything covered here. About the only thing that I do differently is let the RODI water come to room temperature.

Again already noted by fellow hobbyist:

• RODI water room temperature
• Use a scale to weight the powder product
• As of today 1600 g container is $75 USD pre tax, shipping and makes 10 liters
• Send Tropic Marin a message via their portal and suggest a larger size to be available in the US. If enough of us do that maybe they can plan, and release, something for us in the US as general hobbyist.
• Magnet & pill to stir
• Store in dry, cool, place
• Rinse out storage container every other batch with warm water and dry - this is what I do anyway

I typically make 3600 ml batches but have also made 10 liters. Both stored well. Display didn't care either way so I just make whatever is easier at that time. Oh - I dose between 90 and 110 ml/day on my 210 gallon mixed reef.

 

[radiata]

I mix mine in a 5G bucket. I use an orange bucket to more easily check the bottom for undissolved A4R. I use this on a portable drill:
Amazon product

 

[MrGisonni]

Add 900ml RO water to beaker with magnetic stirrer. Measure out 160 grams of powder. Slowly add powder to liquid. Let it mix until clear. Add to dosing reservoir. Easy peasy. Check alkalinity after a few days. Each batch may be slightly different, even with accurate measuring.