Ca/Mg/Alk levels

BCOrchidGuy · #1 01-26-2009, 04:00 PM

My question is simple, at least it should be but I know it's not... but it should be, anyway...

I don't want to go with a Ca reactor, I've got no room and it's just something I don't want to deal with.

So what Ca/Mg/Alk suppliments do people recommend. I'm looking at Purple up, B Ionic or C Balance. I used to use the RHF homemade Ca/Alk and dose Kent magnesium but am considering another way to keep my lvls up. Right now the tank is very light load as far as calcium demand, a few monti frags and two decent colonies and then a few tree corals, mushroom, riccordia and an LPS. I want to get a bunch of SPS frags over the next couple months though so the demand will increase.

Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.

Douglas
ps the reason I am considering the Purple up, B Ionic and C Balance are they are complete so rather than having to dose different things I can do it all in one.

whatcaneyedo · #2 01-26-2009, 05:24 PM

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm

1. Limewater (aka kalkwasser), used in a reactor or not, and with vinegar or not
2. Calcium carbonate/carbon dioxide reactors (CaCO3/CO2 reactors)
3. Calcium carbonate used without a reactor
4. Calcium acetate
5. One part inorganic salt mixtures
6. Two-part liquid additive systems
7. Water changes

tang daddy · #3 01-27-2009, 02:13 AM

also liquid magnesium and amino acids is good to dose you could try salifert brand.

BCOrchidGuy · #4 01-27-2009, 08:48 PM

Thanks for the replies, Kalk with alk and mg sounds like the way to go.

Douglas

mike31154 · #5 01-27-2009, 11:23 PM

I've been adding a 26 gram sachet of 'Bernardin' Pickle Crisp (calcium chloride) to my 7 gallon top off container and recently bought two bags of 'Life' brand Epsom Salts (magnesium sulfate) from the local drug store as a possible magnesium supplement. Added a little of the epsom salts to my last water change container but don't have a magnesium test kit yet so I don't want to get too carried away.

I use IO salt so the calcium is usually less than 400 in my water change tub, which is no big deal since I don't have any SPS coral, just one hammer that needs it's calcium. By adding the Bernardin CaCl I've been able to bring the calcium in the display up to 460.

Bernardin Pickle Crisp -$1.79 for three 26 gram pouches
Life Epsom Salts - on sale at drug store, don't recall price but have two 2kg bags, I think for just under $10

Yep, I'm cheap, but I don't cut my own hair....

Myka · #6 01-28-2009, 01:59 AM

Epsom (magnesium sulfate) salt is not a very good choice to solely supplement reefs with. It can be used in emergency, but if used continually, especially in higher demand tanks the buildup of sulfates can be detrimental to the tank. Your tank needs a mix of magnesium, chloride, and sulfate salts, so using a proper blend is the best choice. Kent Tech-M uses solely magnesium sulfate, and is therefore an over-priced and poor choice for supplementation. SeaChem Reef Advantage Magnesium uses magnesium, chloride, and sulfates in a balanced blend and is my choice for magnesium supplementation.

Take a read through the Guide in my signature, it explains the different options for supplementing, and my preferred brands.