Regarding B-Ionic 2-part supplement system...

[Anonymous]

500 is pretty strong stuff, and 7dKh seems a bit low.

Once I balanced my Ca and Alk and maintained it, my coralline and corals took off. I now use b-ionic at 400-430ppm and alk at 2.5-4.0 meq/l.

Note: it's hard to raise levels using just b-ionic. The 2 part additives are good for maintaining levels. If you want to raise them, then use turbocalcium or superbuffer dKh.

Ty

 

[MIKE NY1]

I agree with Ty, I am currently using B-Ionic and I also have used Kent's two parter. They both seem just to maintain levels not raise them. I use Kent's Turbo Calcium or Tropic Marin Bio Calcium to boost the calcium levels and I use Kent's Pro Buffer dkH to boost the alk levels. Once I reached the desired levels I want I dose with the two parters. 500ppm of cal seems a little high, you should be OK in the 400-450 range.

Good Luck
Mike

 

[Anonymous]

Will it be possible to raise my Ca to 500ppm and my Alk to somewhere around 8DKH or so with this kit? I want the coralline I have in the tank to take off...

Thanks for any experiences...

Peace,

Chip

 

[D.W.L.]

I would say B-Ionic, can be used to raise levels. At least it does for me.

I have been using it since it came out & have used it for this purpose several times. My reactor has been letting me down lately and I am currently bringing the calcium & alk. levels back up with the 2-part.

My test kit measures the calcium portion of the 2-part near 1000ppm. That would have to bring ones level up in time. Just watch one does not overdose to much at a time while doing it.

 

[Anonymous]

Doug, would you say that the Alk portion would do a similar thing? I was preparing some Kalkwasser (I have enough for one more week of dripping), but if the B-Ionic works that well, then I won't bother.

Peace,

Chip

 

[D.W.L.]

Yes, it will raise the alk. levels also. It spikes the ph also, so one has to watch how fast its added. When I used 30ml/day in a smaller tank to just maintain levels, I would dose half in the morning and the other half at night.

I would use it along with kalk. I have found 2-parts, to be one of the best coraline growers there are. C-Balance, seems to be, even more so than ESV, which I prefer.

Its best to always use equal parts of each, to keep levels in balance, unless of course one is already out of whack.

Kalk, while being a good product to maintain calcium, does not seem to have the ability to raise alk. levels to much, but any buffer will do that.

I also think 500ppm is a little high for a target for calcium. Mid 400,s is fine, along with your mentioned alk. target.

Coraline growth also needs decent tank conditions, and the colour of it depends on lighting. Lower/actinic light levels, produce a deeper purple coraline growth, with the higher intensity 65K type lighting, producing a more pink/purple coraline. I also get lots of green coraline, along with some nice bright orange.

Although the 2-part additives are great, they can be a little expensive on a larger, calcium sucking tank, where as kalk is very cheap and will do a good job of maintaining levels, as long as the evaporation rate is enough.