Anyone else use Tropic Marin CA?
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tommy patton
New member
tropic marin also has a product call alka balance that will raise calcium and drop alkalinity because this is a problem with the biocalcium. I have switched to bulk reef supply two part.
I've used 2 part since I started reefing and it's always worked well for me. I switched to the homeade recipe several years ago and it's much cheaper but kind of a pain when I need to mix up a new batch:
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/april2004/chem.htm
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php
At any rate that's my $0.02
Chris
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/april2004/chem.htm
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php
At any rate that's my $0.02
Chris
macclellan
New member
While we're on this topic, Bulk Reef Supply's recipe (which I made and use), and (the other) Randy's articles which Chris linked both mention more or less dumping the whole Magnesium portion all at once or nearly all at once when the 1g of each 2-part is gone. That seems like a terrible idea, especially for smaller tanks... there's just no way. Anybody have helpful info on dosing the Mag portion of these recipes on a more regular basis... '3-part dosing'?
I don't gots a Mag test kit yet. Arg. Darn you Salifert.
I don't gots a Mag test kit yet. Arg. Darn you Salifert.
A lot of people will add the Mg portion of their 3 part to their topoff water since Mg does not degrade fast... I don't know if you have an ATO system with a resevoir or not??? You could always break the monthly Mg package down to weekly portions if you feel more comfortable with that...
macclellan
New member
I've got an ATO sitting right here and have been thinking about setting it up for awhile... heh. The two 1g jugs will last me years at my current dosing, so that means the 20oz Mg distributed over that time will be next to nothing on a weekly basis....I'd have to do some calculations to figure out a dosing scheme. I think I like Chris' plan best, at least until I get a bigger tank. :thumbsup: I change a lot of water (easy to do on small tanks) and use RC salt.
goreefer
New member
I just use the cheap home made( ala Randy Holmes-Farley) supplements.
Prestone Driveway Heat, Baking Soda, and Epsom Salts for mg when needed. When I need more calcium I'm going to use the Bulk Reef Supply products since the driveway heat may not be as pure as the original after DOW changed their formula.
Why pay the 2000% mark-up for a fancy label???
The other VERY IMPORTANT thing is to NEVER supplement without testing before you add anything. Mg is very slow to deplete, so be sure to test before adding.
Prestone Driveway Heat, Baking Soda, and Epsom Salts for mg when needed. When I need more calcium I'm going to use the Bulk Reef Supply products since the driveway heat may not be as pure as the original after DOW changed their formula.
Why pay the 2000% mark-up for a fancy label???
The other VERY IMPORTANT thing is to NEVER supplement without testing before you add anything. Mg is very slow to deplete, so be sure to test before adding.
Last edited:
goreefer
New member
The most important part about dosing anything always comes back to if I add this the reaction is...
That is why you must ALWAYS TEST BEFORE ADDING anything to your system.
Our tanks are closed loop systems, what ever we add is either used by the inhabitants, or is still there.
It is VERY EASY to overdose anything if it isn't used.
That is why you must ALWAYS TEST BEFORE ADDING anything to your system.
Our tanks are closed loop systems, what ever we add is either used by the inhabitants, or is still there.
It is VERY EASY to overdose anything if it isn't used.
