Easiest/cheapest way to supplement Ca & Mg in 34g?

Radioheadx14 · 02/10/2008, 10:30 PM

Now that I have some corals, My Ca and Mg levels are dropping. What is the easiest way to supplement these elements in a smaller tank? I don't want to spend a lot of money with a calcium reactor. I have a 34g Solana if it matters. Are there any products that you just add to the tank? I have seen the 2 part solution, seachem all in one reef supplements and powders. I have super dKh buffer too, but i haven't had a need for it yet.

Any help is appreciated.

hawkfish21 · 02/10/2008, 10:37 PM

2 Part would be the cheapest.

Radioheadx14 · 02/10/2008, 10:59 PM

Is Seachem Reef Complete any good? its only 5 bucks on DFS.
C-Balance is a little more expensive, but i think i have heard people recommend it.
NanoReef Parts A & B Is cheaper than C-Balance but is it any good?

Haha, I want to make sure I'm using something good and not just going for the cheapest if its no good.

demonsp · 02/10/2008, 11:43 PM

In a new setup with low stock regular water changes would be fine.Could be salt brand and never add anything you dont know the reading off as to much just as bad as not enough.

boviac · 02/11/2008, 12:02 AM

I didn't know 2 part supplemented Mg. Ca and Alk was the two part as far as I know. You'll need to do both 2 part and Mg supplement separately. That's what I do but only Mg about once a week. 2 part every other day on average.

mile sq. reefer · 02/11/2008, 12:04 AM

Bionic two part, and if you want, the Mag supplement. Just test for all three to keep the levels stable and at the correct values.

Radioheadx14 · 02/11/2008, 12:13 AM

I use reef crystals and i did a water change last week. Today i tested and my Ca was 360 and my Mg was 900... so i think i will need to do supplementing between water changes. Maybe I'll do a 2 part and Mg.

Is seachem complete no good then?

rbursek · 02/11/2008, 01:20 AM

RC has had a QA problem, there are fixing it and most came in 160 buckets from DRFS. it should be CA 420 Mg 1350, I was chaising water too, go to the Chem forum for that. 2LF Aand B is a good bionic additive, Kent Tech M will be good to raise Mg, Espon Salts to maintan it, Wallgreens. Go to if I can add it hrere the Chem Calc,or PM mme and I will forward it.
Bob

rbursek · 02/11/2008, 01:23 AM

Send in 2 cup samples and they will repalce shipping free, go to the sponsor sight or Chem forum under RC? I bumbed it toninght so it should be there, one post has the address to sent it to, I will bumb it again. This sight is SO GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bob

Radioheadx14 · 02/11/2008, 06:23 AM

I am aware of the problem, but i got a good batch. My fresh saltwater has Ca at 400-420ppm and Mg around 1100-1200.

mile sq. reefer · 02/11/2008, 11:05 AM

For the price, all three additives from Bionic cant be beat and they are good quality products. Im not a fan of mixing stuff from different companies.

clekchau · 02/11/2008, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mile sq. reefer
For the price, all three additives from Bionic cant be beat and they are good quality products. Im not a fan of mixing stuff from different companies.

wrong, for the price, randal holmes-farley's 2 part solution cannot be beat, period.

Radioheadx14 · 02/11/2008, 05:31 PM

So is that the best way to go? a two part for calcium and something else for Mg?

LobsterOfJustice · 02/11/2008, 05:39 PM

www.bulkreefsupply.com

BangkokMatt · 02/11/2008, 05:43 PM

I have just started my first batch of Randy's 2 part. It was really cheap and easy to make up. After 4 days my levels are pretty good but can't comment on long term use. Here is the article with 'recipes'
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php

AquamanE · 02/11/2008, 06:01 PM

www.bulkreefsupply.com- all kinds of reasonably priced stuff with good support.

Radioheadx14 · 02/11/2008, 06:31 PM

I think I might try bulkreefsupply.com's two part Looks easy and cheap

Radioheadx14 · 02/11/2008, 06:38 PM

Should i get recipe 1 or 2? My pH is always at 8.4 when i test it.

clekchau · 02/11/2008, 06:43 PM

this place is cheap also: http://www.buckeyefieldsupply.com/

02/10/2008, 10:30 PM	#1
Radioheadx14 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 1,601	Easiest/cheapest way to supplement Ca & Mg in 34g? Now that I have some corals, My Ca and Mg levels are dropping. What is the easiest way to supplement these elements in a smaller tank? I don't want to spend a lot of money with a calcium reactor. I have a 34g Solana if it matters. Are there any products that you just add to the tank? I have seen the 2 part solution, seachem all in one reef supplements and powders. I have super dKh buffer too, but i haven't had a need for it yet. Any help is appreciated.

02/11/2008, 12:02 AM	#5
boviac Loves Tank Builds Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Altadena, California Posts: 1,584	I didn't know 2 part supplemented Mg. Ca and Alk was the two part as far as I know. You'll need to do both 2 part and Mg supplement separately. That's what I do but only Mg about once a week. 2 part every other day on average. __________________ No more tank.... ;-) Current Tank Info: No tank anymore - Hobby shift to Light Sport Aircraft

02/11/2008, 05:39 PM	#14
LobsterOfJustice Recovering Detritophobe Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 7,443	www.bulkreefsupply.com __________________ If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right. I remember when zoanthids were called things like "green" and "orange" and not "reverse gorilla nipple." Current Tank Info: 180g reef with all the bells and whistles

02/11/2008, 05:43 PM	#15
BangkokMatt Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Krung Thep Posts: 3,100	I have just started my first batch of Randy's 2 part. It was really cheap and easy to make up. After 4 days my levels are pretty good but can't comment on long term use. Here is the article with 'recipes' http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php __________________ I've spent a lot of money on booze, women and fish. The rest I just squandered. Current Tank Info: 150g sps Reef (now FOWLR after a devastating crash due to chiller) , 2x400w MH (Icecap ballast, Lumenmax 2, Reeflux 12k SE), Deltec AP701, Grotech Tec III, Chiller, 2 x Tunze 6101, 1 x 6205 (+ m/c), bla bla

02/11/2008, 06:01 PM	#16
AquamanE Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 6,544	www.bulkreefsupply.com- all kinds of reasonably priced stuff with good support. __________________ Eddie Soler FMAS BOD Member MACNA 2013 Chairman "I'd rather die living than live to die" Current Tank Info: 200G mixed reef with 60G sump, Radion LED’s , Bubble King skimmer, blah blah blah.

02/10/2008, 10:37 PM	#2
hawkfish21 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Thornton, Colorado Posts: 1,968	2 Part would be the cheapest.

02/10/2008, 10:59 PM	#3
Radioheadx14 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 1,601	Is Seachem Reef Complete any good? its only 5 bucks on DFS. C-Balance is a little more expensive, but i think i have heard people recommend it. NanoReef Parts A & B Is cheaper than C-Balance but is it any good? Haha, I want to make sure I'm using something good and not just going for the cheapest if its no good.

02/10/2008, 11:43 PM	#4
demonsp Moved On Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: el paso tx Posts: 7,634	In a new setup with low stock regular water changes would be fine.Could be salt brand and never add anything you dont know the reading off as to much just as bad as not enough.

02/11/2008, 12:04 AM	#6
mile sq. reefer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: NJ Posts: 2,045	Bionic two part, and if you want, the Mag supplement. Just test for all three to keep the levels stable and at the correct values.

02/11/2008, 12:13 AM	#7
Radioheadx14 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 1,601	I use reef crystals and i did a water change last week. Today i tested and my Ca was 360 and my Mg was 900... so i think i will need to do supplementing between water changes. Maybe I'll do a 2 part and Mg. Is seachem complete no good then?

02/11/2008, 01:20 AM	#8
rbursek Moved On Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: germantown,wi Posts: 2,339	RC has had a QA problem, there are fixing it and most came in 160 buckets from DRFS. it should be CA 420 Mg 1350, I was chaising water too, go to the Chem forum for that. 2LF Aand B is a good bionic additive, Kent Tech M will be good to raise Mg, Espon Salts to maintan it, Wallgreens. Go to if I can add it hrere the Chem Calc,or PM mme and I will forward it. Bob

02/11/2008, 01:23 AM	#9
rbursek Moved On Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: germantown,wi Posts: 2,339	Send in 2 cup samples and they will repalce shipping free, go to the sponsor sight or Chem forum under RC? I bumbed it toninght so it should be there, one post has the address to sent it to, I will bumb it again. This sight is SO GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!! Bob

02/11/2008, 06:23 AM	#10
Radioheadx14 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 1,601	I am aware of the problem, but i got a good batch. My fresh saltwater has Ca at 400-420ppm and Mg around 1100-1200.

02/11/2008, 11:05 AM	#11
mile sq. reefer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: NJ Posts: 2,045	For the price, all three additives from Bionic cant be beat and they are good quality products. Im not a fan of mixing stuff from different companies.

02/11/2008, 05:31 PM	#13
Radioheadx14 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 1,601	So is that the best way to go? a two part for calcium and something else for Mg?

02/11/2008, 06:31 PM	#17
Radioheadx14 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 1,601	I think I might try bulkreefsupply.com's two part Looks easy and cheap

02/11/2008, 06:38 PM	#18
Radioheadx14 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 1,601	Should i get recipe 1 or 2? My pH is always at 8.4 when i test it.

02/11/2008, 06:43 PM	#19
clekchau Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: TX Posts: 1,159	this place is cheap also: http://www.buckeyefieldsupply.com/ __________________ RIP: 550 Fowlr, 600 Mixed Cichlids Aquarium Blog: www.clekchau.com