found some pickling lime

[rabadanmarco]

so excited

[Rvela]

where did you find it? I cant seem to find it at HEB or WALMART. I know it is supposed to be in the canning section. No one seems to have any in Austin area(KYLE).

[lakers10]

what is that

[rabadanmarco]

calcium hydroxide....why by kalk when pickling lime is only $2.50
there is a great video at the talking reef podcast on itunes....100% free to watch videos and audio journals of this guy....i have learned a great deal from this

[Rvela]

Found it. Thanks man!

[justahobby]

Hey, I was giving up on finding pickling lime locally when Jack (tx8vtr) pointed me to your thread. Where did you find the pickling lime?

[corruption]

I think Calfo probably put it best, so I'll just credit it to him:

"Many folks use pickling lime and have no problems... some do... all can in time. The issue is the grade of the reagent. Its low and has impurities. It can NOT be used for Kalk slurries, but it can be used better (but still not great) as Kalkwasser if you decant the supersaturated solution and never admit precip to the tank.
In the big picture... I am an outspoken critic against using low grade reagents of anything in our aquariums. For the time and money we spend on our aquariums, the value of our creatures, etc... it makes no sense to me to save a few dollars on a supplement (versus buying Seachem or lab grad reagents) for a system that is worth thousands if not priceless lives of your captives).
Moreover... algae issues are bad enough in well run tanks. No need to burden the challenge even more with impure low grade reagents.
Kindly, Anth"


Personally, I'm with Anthony on this one -- a few bucks saved isn't worth the potential IMO. Don't take that as a writ that it can't/shouldn't be done, but there's validity to his statements. :)

-Corruption

[justahobby]

Thanks for the post corruption. I would enjoy reading the full context this excerpt was taken from. Though Anthony Calfo has been a great asset to the reef industry I need some more background info before playing "monkey see, monkey do". However, I fully appreciate your personal position and do not mean any offense. I am simply just to stubborn to go off one person's statement. As far as I know, Calcium hydroxide is calcium hydroxide. The "impurities" occur naturally and are not the result from errors or carelessness in processing. Copper is in included as a trace element just like strotinum, magnesium, etc. because that's how it comes in nature. Every fish brand that I know of recommends their product to sit for a period of time before being added to the tank. Why? To allow impurities to settle. I am fully aware that Regardless of which label is on the product or how over charged I am, calcium hydroxide can be abused and will contain impurities. But I am not convinced that one is unequal to the other. Just my big ole fat opinion.