Walmart in Arkadelphia has Mrs. Wages Pickling Lime (calcium hydroxide/kalkwasser) on sale for $1.00/lb. Kathy just bought 20lbs. http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/index.php
This doesn't have anything to do with Ca hydroxide but Scuba's comments about things dissolving in water made me think about one of the biggest changes that I have made since being in the hobby - salt. I changed from Instant Ocean to Reef Crystals (Same Company) simply because it dissolves in water much better than Instant Ocean. Just my random jabbering. :roll:
I talked to the Instant Ocean rep at MACNA and he said reef crystals are superior to regular instant ocean salt if you have corals in your system. It contains more trace elements and vitimans. The process to make it dissolve quicker and the added elements is why it is more expensive. I am planning on trying it in my 200 reef/sps tank when I get it set up. I have used instant ocean exclusively since I set up my first marine tank in 1973, so I really can't compare it with any other brand. All I can say is it is a consestantly high quality salt and if you do as recommended mixing your saltwater 24 hrs in advance you should not have a dissolving problem ( or use a circulation pump in your mixing barrel as I do).
Reef Crystals is only a couple of dollars (about a Big Mac Meal) more than IO when you buy 5g buckets.
I've been using reef crystals for awhile now. I'm happy with it except it seems to leave a residue on my mixing tub. I hear that is normal, it is just that the residue flakes off every once in awhile which makes my fresh water have flakes in it.
