cS

I am looking to purchase some CaCl2 locally (not online). Does anyone know what name(s) this product is marketed under? Brand names would be greatly appreciated. Anything I should avoid/look for in particular?

Thank you for any assistance.

bharada

Try looking at the big hardware stores, in the area where they sell de-icers. I don't live in the frost-belt so I found it where they sell dehumidifiers. A product called Dri-Z-Air. Comes in 26oz bags and was ~$3.50. It looks just like Kent Turbo Calcium.

New 2 Fish

Quik Joe Ice Melt is also CaCl2

discus

Hi

I have picked some up at pool supply stores.

Discus

chiahead

Kents turbo calcium is another one

cS

Thank you for all the responses fellas. The problem I have with de-icer/snower products is hat they are really dirty. I went shopping last week and all the de-icer/snower products that I could find were coated with gray dust. Is this normal? It's really nasty. I am afraid of using them. There are also other ingredients listed on the label like K, Na, etc. Are they safe? Any clue where I may obtain CaCl2 without these impurities? I am spoiled by pure white CaCO3 powder purchased from local breweries.

Dri-Z-Air sounds like it will suck moisture from the air. Does this mean that I'll have to keep it tightly covered or it will turn hard and clumpy on me?

Hehehe bharada. Like you, there isn't a place that the sun don't shine around my neck of the woods; so de-icer/snower are new to me as well.

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So do you think I should go ahead and get the dirty de-icer/snower stuff or is there something else you would recommend? What kind of CaCl2 is the Fertilator calculating? Oodle of thanks for your help guys.

pineapple

CaCl2 as used in de-icing is manufactured as a side product of the Solvay process to make sodium carbonate. De-icers have additions. See the details at the bottom of this page.

I guess de-icer was not really formulated to be eaten .

For food grade CaCl2, try checking your phone directory for culinary supplies - especially for pickling. We all know that the Low Country region has plenty of home made pickles - so you should be able to buy some from a good local cook shop. It might be called "pickling lime" - but that is calcium hydroxide in most cases. Here is an example of a pickling CaCl2 product.

CaCl2 is used in the pickling process to make fruit and vegetables stay firm. Some picklers use alum as a substitute. Note, this does not mean CaCl2 is edible in the pure powder form - it is not. Only a tablespoon or two are used in the pickling process to pretreat the vegetables or fruit. Food grade CaCl2 is pure.

Adding water to CaCl2 powder causes an exothermic reaction - gives off heat - which you should avoid. Add CaCl2 to water (not the other way round).

Andrew Cribb

New 2 Fish

That page says that the ingredients in Quick Joe Ice Melt are used for plant nutrients. I use it in my tanks and it's very clean- no grey, dissolves easily.

MatPat

Have you tired your local mom and pop pharmacy (not the big box stores)? Some of them may have cacl2 hanging around. If they do, it will be pure, unlike ice-melt.

Edward

Check your Phone Book for Chemical Supplies. Getting clean CaCl2 and CaSO4 is better.

Edward