Calcium & Alk. Additives - What's best?

OCDP · #1 10-21-2008, 09:04 PM

Just wondering what's the "best" or most commonly used Calcium and Alk. additive? When I had my first reef, I was using Seachem products (the powders you mixed with top-off water) Can't really recall if it was all that great or not... and wondering if there's a best additive?? I know there's liquid buffers and powders, don't know if that makes one better than the other.. open to any suggestions.

I am only keeping softies for now, but I will be adding SPS as soon as I can, and want my calcium and alk. levels proper before doing so. I haven't been monitoring or adding any buffers yet seeing as it's just real basic softies in my tank right now.

mark · #2 10-22-2008, 02:41 AM

Ca reactor, basically set and forget

Canadian · #3 10-22-2008, 02:41 AM

In my experience ESV B-Ionic 2 part is the best. I've had better results with it compared to Seachem and Two Little Fishies C-Balance additives, and compared to my Ca reactor.

MikeP · #4 10-22-2008, 04:46 AM

I used a liquid additive called DKH plus for a while (can't remember the brand name, I bought it at Elite though). On a small tank like yours a bottle would last quite a while and as I recall it wasn't too expensive. Now I'm using baked baking soda but my tank is pretty big and also uses up a lot of alk, I'm dosing daily. The baking soda method is working out really good for me.

Aquattro · #5 10-22-2008, 01:33 PM

My Ca reactor keeps everything stable. Without it, I'd use kalk as Ca/Alk maintenance.

Jason McK · #6 10-22-2008, 01:39 PM

It appears the latest German trend is towards a 2 part mix and doseing pumps. It's sounds like a better set and forget method than a reactor but I'm sure the maintenance is a lot higher

J

Aquattro · #7 10-22-2008, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason McK

It appears the latest German trend is towards a 2 part mix and doseing pumps. It's sounds like a better set and forget method than a reactor but I'm sure the maintenance is a lot higher

J

Agreed. I fill my reactor twice a year, and top off the CO2 maybe that much. The dosing might be a great way, but I think more work, and fairly costly to start up. Again, a reactor ain't cheap either, unless you make your own.

With this topic though, one really should know what the Ca/Alk consumption is, then decide how best to deal with it.

Tailored Aquatics · #8 10-23-2008, 05:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeP

I used a liquid additive called DKH plus for a while (can't remember the brand name, I bought it at Elite though). On a small tank like yours a bottle would last quite a while and as I recall it wasn't too expensive.

That would Be Tailored Aquatics dKH Plus and yes a bottle does last a small tank quite a while. http://www.tailoredaquatics.com/index.html?a=0&d=43

fkshiu · #9 10-23-2008, 05:30 AM

It's no secret that it's all pretty much the same stuff: calcium chloride and sodium carbonate (a.k.a. washing soda). Buy the CaCl in bulk and make your own washing soda from plain old baking soda.

While your at it, pick up some magnesium chloride and/or magnesium sulfate (a.k.a. Epsom salts) as well and you're well on your way.

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php

All you're paying for with the LFS stuff is the fancy labelling.