Kent Nano Reef or Kent Tech CB for my situation?

[becact]

I have a 14 gallon biocube, which holds about 11 gallons net. My magnesium is at 1450, Alk is 9, and Calc is 370. I use Instant Ocean salt for my weekly 2 gallon water changes. I also have quite a bit of livestock.

I am looking to raise my calcium, mostly, but am not sure which product is ideal for my situation. The Kent Nano Reef 2 part supplements calcium and alk but also all the trace elements, while the Kent CB 2 part only supplements calcium and alk. I am thinking that weekly water changes would be enough to replenish trace elements, am I right here?

Also, is it true that my levels need to be in balance before I start using a two-part?

My plan of action was to first dose liquid calcium until my calcium is at 420 or so (KH still at 9), and then start dosing the 2-part (I am thinking CB Tech). Does this sound right? My goal is 440 Ca and 11 dKH.

This is my first foray into dosing, so I hope someone can help!

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

That sounds good!

I know they may write it confusingly, and the whole trace element issue in two parts seems to confuse a lot of folks, but I am not sure the two parts nano and regular from Kent are any different from each other. All good two parts will provide what the nano says it does. Sometimes these chemicals are added, but often the trace elements are just impurities in the other chemicals added.

Regardless, I think a two part is a fine choice for you. I'd recommend either my DIY or B-ionic, although other brands are also likely fine.

If you use IO, you need to either add more calcium to the tank to make up for it being deficient, or like me, boost the IO before using it. I add both calcium and magnesium to it via Dowflake and MAG flake.

I'd boost the calcium now, either using calcium chloride or just the calcium part of the two part, and then begin using the two part in equal doses.

Here's the DIY:

An Improved Do-it-Yourself Two-Part Calcium and Alkalinity Supplement System
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php

[becact]

Thanks Randy. I went out and bought a Salifert calcium test kit (to replace my API), a calcium chloride only supplement, and a two part supplement. I still need to buy a Salifert Alk kit which I will pick up tomorrow.

I plan to dose the calcium only until my levels are in line with the alkalinity, then start dosing the 2 part as needed to maintain the levels I want.

I was thinking 440 Ca/10 dKH. Is this a good combo? I've read many articles and still don't really know the "ideal" combo. Natural seawater is supposed to be 420 Ca/7 dKH, but most reefers run higher than this. Of course, there is a lot more volume of natural seawater to absorb anything that may cause a pH change, so I think this is why reefers use higher KH. Also, I think if KH gets too high you can precipitate the Ca/carbonate out of the water.

I found this calculator:

http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chemcalc.html

Should I follow the "balanced" figure it gives me of 440 Ca/11 dKH? Is that a good goal for my 11 net gallons of water? I'm not sure what they mean by "balanced" either, exactly. Most stable?

If anyone's following the thread, please be sure to read it tomorrow after I get the alk test kit! Then I can post exact figures for Ca/Alk and we can go from there, a bit more accurately

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I was thinking 440 Ca/10 dKH. Is this a good combo?

That seems fine to me. The "balance" point on the calculator is not a target, but rather simply shows what is seawater plus or minus the ratio of calcium to alkalinity in calcium carbonate. Don't use it as a guide when either calcium or alkalinity deviate much from NSW levels.