calcium and buffer recomendations

orthokardia · 02/12/2010, 06:07 PM

so what is everyone using to add calcium and carbonate on a regular basis? liquids, reactors, kalk???? what brand? Any feedback is appritiated. my tank is 300 gal with very little uptake currently, but will be a mixed reef.

thanks,
-bart

andywe · 02/12/2010, 06:20 PM

If low uptake then I would use BRS 2 part. Excellent stuff and extremely reasianble cost.

sandalscout · 02/12/2010, 06:30 PM

Yep, I would lean that way also, been dosing my 90 that way for nearly 2 years. Works great, and automating it with an RKL and dosing pump has made it even better.

MVlk · 02/12/2010, 08:02 PM

I have been dripping Kalk for a while now and just started to dose BRS two part. Parameters are looking good so far.

orthokardia · 02/12/2010, 09:03 PM

what is an RKL and BRS?

arresife · 02/12/2010, 09:07 PM

300 gallos!!! Bulk Reef Supply will be the best value.

zef004 · 02/12/2010, 09:08 PM

RKL=reef keeper lite
BRS=Bulk Reef Supply
I also use 2part for BRS. For last 2years.
Love it and would never use a any cal or kalk reactor.
Not saying there bad but just not for me.

sandalscout · 02/12/2010, 09:11 PM

RKL = ReekKeeperLite
BRS = BulkReefSupply .com

Zef beat me to it. I don't have a loaded SPS system, and dosing works well enough for me that I don't need/want a calcium reactor hooked up to my system. Just keeping something else that could malfunction off of my system.

NeveSSL · 02/12/2010, 09:58 PM

I use kalk (through a reactor that's connected to my ATO), but my tank is not high demand.

I'm planning on using dosing pumps and BRS 2-part once I upgrade tanks, though.

Brandon

dvmkv · 02/12/2010, 10:37 PM

i use a drip using pickling lime and works great.

commonstranger · 02/12/2010, 10:39 PM

I have dosed and had a Ca Reactor both. My regulator messed up and now since I am upgrading tanks (yet again) I will be going back to a (bigger)reactor. Of course the tank will be SPS dominate so I lean towards the reactor. If your tank is mostly LPS,softies and only a few SPS than everyone is telling you right. 2 Part is a great way to supplement the tank and is very cost effective. Wish you the best Bart.

ocd_mariner · 02/12/2010, 10:49 PM

My tank is fully SPS dominated. I dose BRS 2part with a doser. I feel like this gives me the safest way to dial in my dosing exactly. I've never used a calcium reactor, so if I had my opinion may be different, but they seem too magical to me.

I've also scared myself away from a kalk reactor/drip. It takes one accidental overdose (happened to me when I was refilling the reactor) to turn your tank cloudy with calcium and take it offline.

Everyone has a way they are comfortable with. I'd recommend starting with a manual 2 part dose and ease into something else if it suits you.

poolkeeper1 · 02/13/2010, 12:17 AM

Chuck, You do yourself a dis service If I can run a Ca Reactor anybody can. The to each his own Is the key though because If your not comfortable with the reactor then dosing does the same thing, Just more work as I just glance at my Drip and make sure It's flowing! Done Same thing again every morning and test at least once a month, It's too easy and you can get lazy.
Bill

orthokardia · 02/13/2010, 09:08 AM

thanks so much for the input. it is good to know what folks are doing. it looks like the two part is how I will start and then see how it goes as the uptake increases over time.

you guys rock!

mws12075 · 02/13/2010, 09:25 AM

I got some C-Balance for free....been using for 2 weeks...seems ok

cablebox2003 · 02/13/2010, 10:29 AM

I was having a hard time keeping ALK above 7 until I started using Alkalin8.3-P
by Brightwell Aquatics. This is a great dry Formula. It also does a good job at keep my pH above 8.15 when the lights go out at night. Measured with a Aquacontroller Apex. Before using Brightwell. My pH would drop to as low as 7.7 sometimes. This is the best Alk formula I have ever used. For Calcium I use Seachem's reef advantage(dry) it does its job but I dont have to dose Cal that often It stays above 440. I also use Oceanic salt so that helps with the CAL. I got the 1kg of both for under $20 and i've them for months. Just my im put.

waynesworld · 02/16/2010, 07:08 AM

if you search for 2 part you can find the great art wrote on it you can buy it from BRS or just make it. There is nothing that hard about it you can get the calc from most coop's in big bags for little of nothing. also ms wedges pickling lime works for a buffer.

02/12/2010, 06:07 PM	#1
orthokardia Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: manchester, tn Posts: 1,139	calcium and buffer recomendations so what is everyone using to add calcium and carbonate on a regular basis? liquids, reactors, kalk???? what brand? Any feedback is appritiated. my tank is 300 gal with very little uptake currently, but will be a mixed reef. thanks, -bart __________________ 185 gal SPS "The Pheonix", 300 gal SPS Dominant "Remember the signs" - C.S. Lewis The Silver Chair

02/12/2010, 08:02 PM	#4
MVlk Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Mount Juliet, TN Posts: 1,440	I have been dripping Kalk for a while now and just started to dose BRS two part. Parameters are looking good so far. __________________ Michael Visit my homepage for my build thread. Hey.. it's just my opinion... I could be wrong... Current Tank Info: None

02/12/2010, 09:03 PM	#5
orthokardia Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: manchester, tn Posts: 1,139	what is an RKL and BRS? __________________ 185 gal SPS "The Pheonix", 300 gal SPS Dominant "Remember the signs" - C.S. Lewis The Silver Chair

02/12/2010, 09:07 PM	#6
arresife Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Charlotte nc Posts: 72	300 gallos!!! Bulk Reef Supply will be the best value. __________________ One lifetime is not enough to fully enjoy this hobby. Current Tank Info: 90 gal mixed reef

02/12/2010, 09:08 PM	#7
zef004 Registered Member. Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Donelson/Nashville Posts: 1,857	RKL=reef keeper lite BRS=Bulk Reef Supply I also use 2part for BRS. For last 2years. Love it and would never use a any cal or kalk reactor. Not saying there bad but just not for me. __________________ My goal in life is to be, the sort of person my dog thinks I am! Current Tank Info: 72x24x24glass/control by apex/ 523w LEDs/ ecobak/ 4x mp40w/ Itech 200

02/12/2010, 06:20 PM	#2
andywe Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Mt Juliet, TN Posts: 1,995	If low uptake then I would use BRS 2 part. Excellent stuff and extremely reasianble cost.

02/12/2010, 06:30 PM	#3
sandalscout Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Clarksville, TN Posts: 1,166	Yep, I would lean that way also, been dosing my 90 that way for nearly 2 years. Works great, and automating it with an RKL and dosing pump has made it even better.

02/12/2010, 09:11 PM	#8
sandalscout Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Clarksville, TN Posts: 1,166	RKL = ReekKeeperLite BRS = BulkReefSupply .com Zef beat me to it. I don't have a loaded SPS system, and dosing works well enough for me that I don't need/want a calcium reactor hooked up to my system. Just keeping something else that could malfunction off of my system. Last edited by sandalscout; 02/12/2010 at 09:12 PM. Reason: more info

02/12/2010, 09:58 PM	#9
NeveSSL Got tubes? Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 6,759	I use kalk (through a reactor that's connected to my ATO), but my tank is not high demand. I'm planning on using dosing pumps and BRS 2-part once I upgrade tanks, though. Brandon __________________ I am proof that post count is not directly proportional to "reef IQ". Zip Ties = Reef Duck Tape Geek it till it MHz!!! Current Tank Info: 180g Build in Process

02/12/2010, 10:37 PM	#10
dvmkv Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: clarksville,TN Posts: 171	i use a drip using pickling lime and works great. __________________ HAHA Current Tank Info: mixed reef...

02/12/2010, 10:39 PM	#11
commonstranger Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Franklin, TN Posts: 1,331	I have dosed and had a Ca Reactor both. My regulator messed up and now since I am upgrading tanks (yet again) I will be going back to a (bigger)reactor. Of course the tank will be SPS dominate so I lean towards the reactor. If your tank is mostly LPS,softies and only a few SPS than everyone is telling you right. 2 Part is a great way to supplement the tank and is very cost effective. Wish you the best Bart. __________________ My drug dog is smarter than your honor student. I'll keep my Guns,Money and Freedom. You can keep the "Change". Current Tank Info: 125 tank and 125 sump

02/12/2010, 10:49 PM	#12
ocd_mariner Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Murfreesboro, TN Posts: 1,075	My tank is fully SPS dominated. I dose BRS 2part with a doser. I feel like this gives me the safest way to dial in my dosing exactly. I've never used a calcium reactor, so if I had my opinion may be different, but they seem too magical to me. I've also scared myself away from a kalk reactor/drip. It takes one accidental overdose (happened to me when I was refilling the reactor) to turn your tank cloudy with calcium and take it offline. Everyone has a way they are comfortable with. I'd recommend starting with a manual 2 part dose and ease into something else if it suits you. __________________ Chuck Current Tank Info: 120g sps dominated, 65g sump/fuge

02/13/2010, 12:17 AM	#13
poolkeeper1 Moved On Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Spring Hill, TN Posts: 4,674	Chuck, You do yourself a dis service If I can run a Ca Reactor anybody can. The to each his own Is the key though because If your not comfortable with the reactor then dosing does the same thing, Just more work as I just glance at my Drip and make sure It's flowing! Done Same thing again every morning and test at least once a month, It's too easy and you can get lazy. Bill

02/13/2010, 09:08 AM	#14
orthokardia Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: manchester, tn Posts: 1,139	thanks so much for the input. it is good to know what folks are doing. it looks like the two part is how I will start and then see how it goes as the uptake increases over time. you guys rock! __________________ 185 gal SPS "The Pheonix", 300 gal SPS Dominant "Remember the signs" - C.S. Lewis The Silver Chair

02/13/2010, 09:25 AM	#15
mws12075 Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 58	I got some C-Balance for free....been using for 2 weeks...seems ok

02/13/2010, 10:29 AM	#16
cablebox2003 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Antioch , TN Posts: 67	I was having a hard time keeping ALK above 7 until I started using Alkalin8.3-P by Brightwell Aquatics. This is a great dry Formula. It also does a good job at keep my pH above 8.15 when the lights go out at night. Measured with a Aquacontroller Apex. Before using Brightwell. My pH would drop to as low as 7.7 sometimes. This is the best Alk formula I have ever used. For Calcium I use Seachem's reef advantage(dry) it does its job but I dont have to dose Cal that often It stays above 440. I also use Oceanic salt so that helps with the CAL. I got the 1kg of both for under $20 and i've them for months. Just my im put.

02/16/2010, 07:08 AM	#17
waynesworld Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Murfreesboro TN Posts: 2,013	if you search for 2 part you can find the great art wrote on it you can buy it from BRS or just make it. There is nothing that hard about it you can get the calc from most coop's in big bags for little of nothing. also ms wedges pickling lime works for a buffer. __________________ The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.