Ca/Alk Supplementation

jejton

New member
I use RC and am getting low Ca and Alk on my tank. There are only a couple of small soft corals in there and some CUC. I want to pick up my Ca/Alk but without resorting to anymore equipment. What do you recommend I use that can be used with my ATO? What do you use and why? I wanted to try DIY 2 Part but can not find the ingredients ( I looked all winter ) locally.
 
Eric,

I use the 2 part kits from bulkreefsupply.com. It's not that expensive and it's a lot easier and safer then trying to find the diy 2 part on your own. I have it setup on a drip using the Kent Aquadosers. I am able to keep my Alk and Ca pretty stable using this method on an SPS dominated tank.
 
two parters like Bionic etc....on the cheap calcium chloride like Peladow and baking soda ......but IMO just save and get a reactor. Once setup it's easier to maintain stabilty and it will pay for it self over time.
 
Thanks for the advice so far.
Mike - I want to stay away from a reactor because of a.) electric bills are already high b.) preferance for minimization of equipment and maintenaince c.) wont be going SPS except for perhaps a frag here or there later on.

Both Chris's - Can I add those two parts to my top off water? I prefer not having to dose something every day as I often leave for weekends or neglect my tanks while studying for exams - another reason I try to minimize maintenance as much as is possible.

How hard is it two make the two parts? I cant find the article ATM but I recall that the 2 part was for calcium, alkanity and optionally magnesium. Is that correct? I do need to raise all three in my tank which surprised me because I thought RC was supposed to have adequate levels.
 
You should be able to adjust your levels say once a month being you dont really have much CA demand. MG coralates to CA and ALk levels. So it is needed. Ive only recently started using 2 part and i just mixed it seperately in RO water and dumped it into my sump. I havent made my own batch of 2 part yet as i had some lying around that i used.
 
I use the bulk reef supply 2 part, and think it works great, like cb747 said you should be able to adjust once a month without the high demand for ca of an sps tank.
 
I use Mrs. Wages Pickling lime in my auto top off water. I have to add a little Alkalinity supplement every other week, sometimes.

I have coraline algae growing everywhere.
 
two part is everyday with high ca demands with your tank Im sure it wouldnt be that much. Weekly water changes isnt enough with maybe one dose during the week.

If you want to use top off you can just use kalk
 
Back
Top