pickling lime and baking soda... where to start

[jaded]

I havent even tested for calcium yet so this is probably premature, but I just read an interesting article that might save me a ton of cash on trace element dosing.

What do you do for trace element?
do you recommend using baking soda or pickling lime?

If I were to start using them, where do I start? maybe a nice weblink?

[::pete::]

Lime (http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/index.htm)

[GaryP]

Neither is really a trace element. I'm sure that is just a matter of terminology. Trace elements include things like strontium & manganese.

You add lime (kalkawasser) to supplement calcium and raise pH. You add baking soda to raise alkalinity. Its not really an either/or situation.

To the best of my knowledge, no one has been able to find pickling lime in SA. There was a thread recently on some places to get it in Austin and in Kerrville.

I guess we need to start thinking about repeating the chemistry talk.

[::pete::]

The pickling lime was in the HEB @ 410 and Bandera once because my wife called and asked if I wanted some. Its available online all the time so a group by would be cheap as far as shipping goes.

[JEREMY78247]

pete is correct, I purchased a 16oz. container of Ball pickling lime about 4 or 5 months ago there.

[Ping]

I purchase pickling lime at the HEB on 410 right outside Lackland. I cant remember the exit. I will check to see if they still have it in stock tomorrow if anyone is interested.

[JEREMY78247]

Ping, let me know I'm currently running low....you guys might want to talk to GaryP he uses calcium chloride instead of pickling lime. I plan on picking up a bag from UNIVAR here in town if I ever get off work early enough to do so.

[dow]

I was the one that started the pickling lime thread a week or two back. I suspect that HEB considers it a "seasonal" product, and that it will become more common as Spring progresses into Summer, and the cucumbers start to get ripe. After all, it doesn't make a lot of sense to stock it if there's nothing to pickle.

BTW, on the other thread, someone mentioned that Super S in Bandera has a lot of it in stock.

[jaded]

I obviously have a lot to learn... thanks for the link pete

[GaryP]

Be careful using it, do some reading first. You can't just dump it into your tank like some other additives.