thinking :p

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spongebob lover

flea whisperer
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I've been thinking about this for quite sometime :p (yeah i actually do think once in a while :lol:) .
I'm wondering what to do since i'm leaning more for the lps sps look :D (it's all Dang's fault :p) with the whole calcium and alk.
i truthly don't wanna spend to much on additives :p... but if i have to then be it.
what about switching from I.O. to reef crystals? or how about using half and half of each salt? OR just staying with the I.O. and using the B- onic (the additive Krish used to use:p) and once i have the calcium and alk to where i want it ... just use kalk? or just keep using the addivite?
which one can i do?
I'm trying to learn more so when i do this i just don't go crashing my tank :p (yeah i get scared of dumping things in my water :p) .
I'm planning on doing this about in a month from now to may be two months... it depends on the responses :p .
what do you think doods/ doodettes?
 
the first thing i would try is, get you ca/alk where you want it with additives(b-ionic or what ever you want to use) then see if just dripping kalk will hold those levels. if it will then just adjust the IO a little before water changes with the additives and continue with kalk.

if kalk a lone wont do it then i would still drip kalk every day but once a week or when ever needed adjust the tank with the additives
 
awesome dood thanks :D .
i'll do that then... i was just thinking about the reef crystals because i have heard that it's a good bran of salt (even though it's a little bit pricey).
 
awesome dood thanks :D .
i'll do that then... i was just thinking about the reef crystals because i have heard that it's a good bran of salt (even though it's a little bit pricey).


reef crystals isn't much different then IO. its just a little higher in Ca and Mg.

you know you can make your own Ca and Mg additives easily and for a fraction of what you pay at the fish store
 
spongebob_lover: just fyi, drsfosterandsmith.com have reef crystals 160g bucket regular 39.99 marked down to 31.99 (which is only $2.50 more than there price for IO 160g bucket). FedEx Home Delivery (ground) runs $9.99 for 2 buckets to us in WA. I haven't been able to find anywhere local that even comes close to their price.

Here's the link: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=4856

I was at the same crossroads as you not too long ago when setting up my lps/sps tank. I also switched from IO to RC, and I currently use kalkwasser for 100% topoff, but still have to supplement with randy's DIY recipes. The Alk part was easy (baking soda, costco has 12lb bags of it), but the Ca part is a little harder to find the dowflake. I couldn't find that locally, so I ended up ordering it online from mainstreetseedandsupply.com. $13.99 for a 50lb bag (which I think will last quite a long time), but shipping was around $40. (I've seen other brands of ice melt at HD recently, but hesitant to use as I'm not sure of the content).

Anyways, hope this info is helpful & good luck!

Rob
 
Hey gabster. I use IO and suppliment it with turbo CA before a WC. I use KALK to maintain my CA level.
 
spongebob_lover: just fyi, drsfosterandsmith.com have reef crystals 160g bucket regular 39.99 marked down to 31.99 (which is only $2.50 more than there price for IO 160g bucket). FedEx Home Delivery (ground) runs $9.99 for 2 buckets to us in WA. I haven't been able to find anywhere local that even comes close to their price.

Here's the link: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...fm?pcatid=4856

I was at the same crossroads as you not too long ago when setting up my lps/sps tank. I also switched from IO to RC, and I currently use kalkwasser for 100% topoff, but still have to supplement with randy's DIY recipes. The Alk part was easy (baking soda, costco has 12lb bags of it), but the Ca part is a little harder to find the dowflake. I couldn't find that locally, so I ended up ordering it online from mainstreetseedandsupply.com. $13.99 for a 50lb bag (which I think will last quite a long time), but shipping was around $40. (I've seen other brands of ice melt at HD recently, but hesitant to use as I'm not sure of the content).

Anyways, hope this info is helpful & good luck!

that's not that bad of a deal dood, specially since salt here is quite expensive, like i said i'm still thinking :p what way should i go.

Hey gabster. I use IO and suppliment it with turbo CA before a WC. I use KALK to maintain my CA level.

is that some sort of powder thing dood? or liquid?
 
Be sure to follow the dosage. It will get hot when it reacts with water.
 

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