B ionic vs. BRS 2 part. Which and why?

[kenc87]

As my title states I am going to be starting to dose 2 part since my water changes are clearly no longer keeping up with demand. I'm debating between the b ionic and the brs 2 part and want to know which you guys recommend and why. Thanks

 

[xray]

If you are set on 2 part I would go with brs much cheaper and just as effective. Have you considered dripping kalwasser. As low as your usage rate is it should easily keep up and it is so much easier and cheaper than 2 part. After using 2 part in my 150 for the last 2yr's I converted to kalk about a month ago and I am extremely happy with the results. I had dosing pumps on my 2 part which made it a little easier but my calcium still did not stay nearly as stable as it does since switching to kalk.

 

[kenc87]

Well I was thinking about doing kalk but my evap rate is very unpredictable and I don't think it would keep things as stable as if I just dose two part

 

[disc1]

Well I was thinking about doing kalk but my evap rate is very unpredictable and I don't think it would keep things as stable as if I just dose two part

That's why I switched from kalk to 2 part. We had a particularly dry day around here and my tank got double dosed and spiked the pH a little. Nothing bad happened aside form a little bit of calcium on the pumps, but I decided I wanted something easier to control.

I use regular baking soda to make my alkalinity part. There's really no way to beat that. You get the same stuff for pennies on the dollar. I do use the bulk calcium chloride and magnesium chloride from BRS just because I can't bring myself to trust the driveway de-icer. I get epsom salts from the grocery store for magnesium sulfate.

The only potential advantage that I see to the commercial 2-part products is that they usually make them a little more concentrated than you can at home. On a system with a really large consumption, that means dosing a little less volume. But it still means more cost. I would personally just get a bigger container to make up my two part in if I had that problem.

 

[kenc87]

I mean I have never dosed before but I prolly should have been. I just feel that 2 part will be more accurate and I can control it more

 

[DHyslop]

I agree with David, except that I do pay for the BRS alkalinity and magnesium. Even though I've never heard of an issue with the grocery store stuff, I'm willing to pay a bit more for pharmaceutical grade.

It does cost a bit more, but still dramatically cheaper than bottled two part or the Kent, SeaChem, Thrive, Continuum, Brightwell etc etc etc calcium and alkalinity additives that fill the shelves at your LFS.

 

[kenc87]

Well it sounds like I will take be getting the brs stuff.

 

[EllieSuz]

I started out with B Ionic, switched to BRS and now I'm back on B Ionic again. It may be more expensive, but you use half as much to get the same results.

 

[kenc87]

How much do you dose? And what all do you have in your tank, size?

 

[EllieSuz]

I have started to add kalk to my top-off water and reduced the amount of B Ionic I use. The only way you can arrive at an appropriate dose is to test for alk and calcium frequently until you arrive at the right point. Start out with the recommended dosage on the B Ionic container and adjust it from there. Dosage depends on more than size of your tank, such as the demand on it from your corals.

 

[kenc87]

Ya i am aware that it completely depends on the amount of corals in regards to how much you have to dose. I was just curious as to what some people dose. I ordered the brs last night and will hopefully receive it tomorrow or Saturday.

 

[Mekanic]

I like B-Ionic, nicely concentrated and I can get it in bulk locally

 

[kenc87]

I was contemplating b ionic but my local fish store wanted 35 bucks per bottle for the 32oz. That's just ridiculous to me so I went with brs

 

[a.browning]

I like the BRS chemicals. Even with dosing ~200ml of each part per day, it only costs me about $5 per month to dose. Can't beat that!

 

[kenc87]

Ya that's why I decided to go with brs. I'm excited to get my dosing started

 

[a.browning]

Good choice! I also use their dosing pumps, if you ever decide to automate the process. Makes it even easier.

 

[Mekanic]

I was contemplating b ionic but my local fish store wanted 35 bucks per bottle for the 32oz. That's just ridiculous to me so I went with brs

Mother of god! I pay $12 a gallon lol.

 

[ryeguyy84]

I use BRS because their reef calculator is right on. so getting the starting dose is simple and i was dialed in within a week.

 

[jerpa]

I prefer BRS. Less than $5 for a gallon of each. $2.50 if your using recipe 2.

 

[kenc87]

Ya my local fish store tends to be crazy expensive. I'm excited to get my order from brs and get it set up. I would love to get dosing pumps but don't have the extra funds at the moment