Calcium
- Thread starter Les1
- Start date
I think the easiest and cheapest way to supplement both is Seachem`s Reef Advantage and Reef Builder.
Both are in dry form, relatively cheap when bought in larger sizes and almost idiot proof. I would invest in a good test kit for both calcium and alk. when using these.
Kalk will work but IMO is a lot of trouble and in some systems must be done daily.
I used both of the exellent products for years until I got a calcium reactor and would continue to do so if I had not bought a reactor.
I think your levels are good but if you add caclium you should also watch the buffer system
[ October 07, 2001: Message edited by: Bodine ]
Both are in dry form, relatively cheap when bought in larger sizes and almost idiot proof. I would invest in a good test kit for both calcium and alk. when using these.
Kalk will work but IMO is a lot of trouble and in some systems must be done daily.
I used both of the exellent products for years until I got a calcium reactor and would continue to do so if I had not bought a reactor.
I think your levels are good but if you add caclium you should also watch the buffer system
[ October 07, 2001: Message edited by: Bodine ]
You will want to wait until someone more knowledgable responds to my response, but I know I have read about pickling lime from the grocery store for kalk, and baking soda for your alk. If this is true, it would be a cheap way for both. Like I said, see what others say, or try a search on this board for those two products. Good luck...
Then you're looking at Kalk or a 2-part balanced additive. Kalk is cheaper, but you've got to mix it up at least weekly with your makeup water and figure out a way to drip it at night. It'll also tend to drive up pH.
For 55 gallons, the 2-part stuff won't be that expensive. I have a 37 gallon tank and use B-Ionic. I order the 2 gal concentrate for something like $20. I add it at 23ml a day--it lasts ~5 months. It's easy, just dump in equal parts of bottles 1 and 2. The equivalent kent product works the same.
The nice thing about kalk and the 2-part products is that you don't have to worry about your alk and Calcium getting out of whack.
Ty
For 55 gallons, the 2-part stuff won't be that expensive. I have a 37 gallon tank and use B-Ionic. I order the 2 gal concentrate for something like $20. I add it at 23ml a day--it lasts ~5 months. It's easy, just dump in equal parts of bottles 1 and 2. The equivalent kent product works the same.
The nice thing about kalk and the 2-part products is that you don't have to worry about your alk and Calcium getting out of whack.
Ty
Absolutely the Easiest: Calcium Reactor, but the cost is not justified for tanks under 90 gallons.
Next Easiest: Tropic Marin Bio-Calcium. One part powder added directly to tank, supplements calcium, alkalinity, and trace elements. Not cheap.
Next Easiest: Two-part supplement like B-Ionic. Not the cheapest, but less than Bio-Calcium.
Cheapest: Kalkwasser, but more work (mixing up and adding every night).
Next Easiest: Tropic Marin Bio-Calcium. One part powder added directly to tank, supplements calcium, alkalinity, and trace elements. Not cheap.
Next Easiest: Two-part supplement like B-Ionic. Not the cheapest, but less than Bio-Calcium.
Cheapest: Kalkwasser, but more work (mixing up and adding every night).
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by kevjtomy:
<STRONG>You will want to wait until someone more knowledgable responds to my response, but I know I have read about pickling lime from the grocery store for kalk, and baking soda for your alk. If this is true, it would be a cheap way for both. Like I said, see what others say, or try a search on this board for those two products. Good luck...</STRONG><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Kev--I'll respond to your response!
Pickling lime is basically the same as kalk--Calcium Hydroxide. Definitely the cheapest way to supplement biominerals in a reef tank. You can get it for about $2 a pound and that will last a LONG time.
Also, if you're using pickling lime/kalk properly, it should provide all the Ca and alk you need, because it's a balanced supplemenation method. Therefore, I would counsel against using buffer if you're using kalk, because the net result is that you'll end up with your alk high and your Ca low. If you use kalk, your system should stay balanced and if you add buffer in addition to the kalk, you'll be adding excess alkalinity and possibly end up with a biomineral imbalance and a low Ca level.
HTH
<STRONG>You will want to wait until someone more knowledgable responds to my response, but I know I have read about pickling lime from the grocery store for kalk, and baking soda for your alk. If this is true, it would be a cheap way for both. Like I said, see what others say, or try a search on this board for those two products. Good luck...</STRONG><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Kev--I'll respond to your response!
Pickling lime is basically the same as kalk--Calcium Hydroxide. Definitely the cheapest way to supplement biominerals in a reef tank. You can get it for about $2 a pound and that will last a LONG time.
Also, if you're using pickling lime/kalk properly, it should provide all the Ca and alk you need, because it's a balanced supplemenation method. Therefore, I would counsel against using buffer if you're using kalk, because the net result is that you'll end up with your alk high and your Ca low. If you use kalk, your system should stay balanced and if you add buffer in addition to the kalk, you'll be adding excess alkalinity and possibly end up with a biomineral imbalance and a low Ca level.
HTH
James - I seem to be running into that problem right now. I'm dripping kalk at night as well as using Kent Tech-CB two part additive, but I'm also using Reef Builder buffer in an attempt to try and raise the alk up from 8dkh. I'm now finding the alk slowly going up, but my calcium also has dropped from 440 to around 380. So what is one to do? If you have any advise please share. Thanks!
[ October 08, 2001: Message edited by: Toadally ]
[ October 08, 2001: Message edited by: Toadally ]
Thanks for all the replies. I think I am going to try the pickling lime. Now are there any instructions anywhere on the internet for the use of this, or will I just have to start out slow and see how it works for my tank?
Thanks
[ October 08, 2001: Message edited by: Les ]
Thanks
[ October 08, 2001: Message edited by: Les ]
Hello Les,
I was told to mix 2 teaspoons of pickling lime with a gallon of water in a glass jug. Mix it and let it set for a day. Pour off the clear stuff and drip it. I ended up buying a reactor so I can't contest to this but it came from a knowledgable source. Anyone else? HTH.
Terry
I was told to mix 2 teaspoons of pickling lime with a gallon of water in a glass jug. Mix it and let it set for a day. Pour off the clear stuff and drip it. I ended up buying a reactor so I can't contest to this but it came from a knowledgable source. Anyone else? HTH.
Terry
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Toadally:
<STRONG>James - I seem to be running into that problem right now. I'm dripping kalk at night as well as using Kent Tech-CB two part additive, but I'm also using Reef Builder buffer in an attempt to try and raise the alk up from 8dkh. I'm now finding the alk slowly going up, but my calcium also has dropped from 440 to around 380. So what is one to do? If you have any advise please share. Thanks!
[ October 08, 2001: Message edited by: Toadally ]</STRONG><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Since your Ca level has dropped, if your alk still needs a boost, raise them simultaneously. Just use more of the 2-part additive or drip more kalk. I wouldn't keep using any buffer by itself--when you're using a balanced method of supplementation, throwing an unbalanced supplement into the mix usually causes trouble. HTH
<STRONG>James - I seem to be running into that problem right now. I'm dripping kalk at night as well as using Kent Tech-CB two part additive, but I'm also using Reef Builder buffer in an attempt to try and raise the alk up from 8dkh. I'm now finding the alk slowly going up, but my calcium also has dropped from 440 to around 380. So what is one to do? If you have any advise please share. Thanks!
[ October 08, 2001: Message edited by: Toadally ]</STRONG><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Since your Ca level has dropped, if your alk still needs a boost, raise them simultaneously. Just use more of the 2-part additive or drip more kalk. I wouldn't keep using any buffer by itself--when you're using a balanced method of supplementation, throwing an unbalanced supplement into the mix usually causes trouble. HTH
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