testing, Calcium

[Reeferdude]

Who uses what? Does it work as well?

I've been using Kalk for nearly a decade now and it's been consistant in several of my mixed reef systems.

 

[pnikiel]

I have a 125 gal tank with maybe a dozen pieces of coral and 8 fish. I drip kalk constantly through an automatic topping system (float switch). I add 40 mls of the B-Ionic Alkalinity add. and 30 mls of the B-Ionic Calcium add. each day in addition to the Kalk. The Kalk alone doesn't come close to being enough. (Can it be mixed stronger than instructed onthe bottle?)

FFrankie mentioned Seachem Advantage Calcium and Reefferman mentioned a Salifert powder.

The B-Ionic is working fine for me. But if I can save any $ by using powder, I'm there

 

[DonW]

I have a 125 gal tank with maybe a dozen pieces of coral and 8 fish. I drip kalk constantly through an automatic topping system (float switch). I add 40 mls of the B-Ionic Alkalinity add. and 30 mls of the B-Ionic Calcium add.

FFrankie mentioned Seachem Advantage Calcium and Reefferman mentioned a Salifert powder.

The B-Ionic is working fine for me. But if I can save any $ by using powder, I'm there

Anything with a label for this hobby is going to be more expensive at the current time the cheapest way would be ca chloride and baking soda. I would personally not use the stuff from seachem or salifert, they are just overpriced versions of what you can get much cheaper. Check out two part solutions. They are on the sponsers page and will have all the info right there for you.

Don

 

[Reeferdude]

pnikiel, I think it depends if you're trying to increase or maintain and how fast your evaporation rate is. Ultimately you'll need to balance all those factors together as you know. I have mixed well above the manufacturer recommendation without a problem but don't use it to increase calcium just to maintain it. I use Calcium chloride to increase...

 

[DonW]

I have mixed well above the manufacturer recommendation without a problem but don't use it to increase calcium just to maintain it. I use Calcium chloride to increase...

Have what mixed above manufacturer recomendation?

Don

 

[Reeferdude]

Have what mixed above manufacturer recomendation?

Don

(Can it be mixed stronger than instructed onthe bottle?)

Kalk. I thought that's what he was talking about...

 

[pnikiel]

You're right, Reeferdude, I was talking about Kalk. It seems that when I mixed more powder than instructed it ends up settling out of the solution.

 

[Reeferdude]

It's gonna settle. You don't want that stuff at the bottom anyways. My containers have drip valves about one inch above the bottom. After they're empty I throw away what's left and make new.

 

[DonW]

Kalk. I thought that's what he was talking about...

Thats what I was afraid you were going to say, but wanted to make sure. Kalk will only mix to a max of 2t per gallon of water unless you add vinegar, even then you'll only get a hair more into the solution. This is what makes it so limited. It doesnt matter if you put 2t or 10t in a gallon of water it still maxes out at about 2t per gallon.

Don

 

[pnikiel]

So I believe I've learned that I can't depend on kalk alone to keep things level.

So I use the liquid 2-part to keep things balanced. Works well, but costs some coin.

The powdered products available from Seachem or Salifert (or who ever else) seem to be less expensive. Do they work as well as the liquid. Would those powders be a decent substitute for the B-Ionic 2 part?

 

[DonW]

So I believe I've learned that I can't depend on kalk alone to keep things level.

So I use the liquid 2-part to keep things balanced. Works well, but costs some coin.

The powdered products available from Seachem or Salifert (or who ever else) seem to be less expensive. Do they work as well as the liquid. Would those powders be a decent substitute for the B-Ionic 2 part?

They work fine, you just have to make sure there isnt crap in them that you dont want. That why its just cheaper and easier to use the simple additives like ca chloride and baking soda.

Don

 

[Reeferdude]

So I believe I've learned that I can't depend on kalk alone to keep things level.

So I use the liquid 2-part to keep things balanced. Works well, but costs some coin.

It depends on your load/requirements. But it sounds like you've pretty much got it under control.

 

[Frankie]

Its worse. The dumbest thing Ive ever purchased.

Don

Well that idea is in the scrapper. Thanks Don.
I am curious about the ratio mix of ca chloride and baking soda. Is there a link to the right way of doing this? Saving money safely sounds good to me!

 

[pnikiel]

Specifically, Seachem Advantage Calcicium and Seachem Reef Builder. Are they reasonable substitutes for a liquid 2-part system?

 

[DonW]

Well that idea is in the scrapper. Thanks Don.
I am curious about the ratio mix of ca chloride and baking soda. Is there a link to the right way of doing this? Saving money safely sounds good to me!

No ratio, just based on what you need. Use this calculator.
http://reef.diesyst.com/


Don

 

[DonW]

Specifically, Seachem Advantage Calcicium and Seachem Reef Builder. Are they reasonable substitutes for a liquid 2-part system?

Yes but I would check with Bummer, just to make sure they dont add andy unwanted stuff. Use the calculator http://reef.diesyst.com/

Don

 

[Frankie]

New tools! Thanks Don.

 

[Boomer]

The old man has returned from his convalescent fishing trip Thanks Don for filling in as usual.