2 Pt Calcium/Buffer
 

Hi everyone, my 20g tank is about 2 months old now and I need to start dosing for calcium. I think that a 2 part calcium/buffer product would be the easiest way to go for my tank. Any recommendations on a particular brand that you have had good or bad luck with?

First of all do you already have ca and carbonates consumers?

Make your own:
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php

I use 2little fishies a b balance it is great

+1

Where are the ingredients found in alberta? Doe Home depot carry them?

I have hammer and frog spawn corals. I also would like my coraline algae to start taking off a bit more.

This looks interesting! I'm going to see if I can track down the ingredients and give it a try. Thanks for the link.:biggrin:

I'd recommend getting your calcium and magnesium from the Chemmaster. I did track down a product that was supposedly 100% calcium chloride but I just felt better using the food grade stuff from the chemmaster. For magnesium you could use epsom salts from the drug store if you are in a pinch but I don't think that is good for long term use as it adds to much sulfate. Chemmaster's magnesium is around 8 parts magnesium chloride to 1 part magnesium sulfate IIRC.

Edit: I should add you need to get your calcium and alkalinity in check before you should worry about the magnesium. For raising alk all you need is baking soda.

Why make your own for a small 20 gallon tank? It won't save you money and it'll be lots of work.

Just pickup a product like ESV B-Ionic two part. It's cheap and has all the minerals in proper ratio's.

But if you really like to tinker you can make your own.

ESV B-Ionic is one of the best!

Redsea calk is the optimal solution for small systems.
http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewIt...ct~RS4311.html

True enough. I have a large system so it saves me a ton of money. For a small tank the store bought 2 part might be a better route.

I've heard a lot of good things about ESV B-Ionic. I just ordered some today from JL Aquatics to give it a try since I had a few other things to get anyway. By the way they have free shipping on orders over $100 right now.

It's good stuff you will like it.