calcium and buffer recomendations

[orthokardia]

so what is everyone using to add calcium and carbonate on a regular basis? liquids, reactors, kalk???? what brand? Any feedback is appritiated. my tank is 300 gal with very little uptake currently, but will be a mixed reef.

thanks,
-bart

 

[andywe]

If low uptake then I would use BRS 2 part. Excellent stuff and extremely reasianble cost.

 

[sandalscout]

Yep, I would lean that way also, been dosing my 90 that way for nearly 2 years. Works great, and automating it with an RKL and dosing pump has made it even better.

 

[MVlk]

I have been dripping Kalk for a while now and just started to dose BRS two part. Parameters are looking good so far.

 

[orthokardia]

what is an RKL and BRS?

 

[arresife]

300 gallos!!! Bulk Reef Supply will be the best value.

 

[zef004]

RKL=reef keeper lite
BRS=Bulk Reef Supply
I also use 2part for BRS. For last 2years.
Love it and would never use a any cal or kalk reactor.
Not saying there bad but just not for me.

 

[sandalscout]

RKL = ReekKeeperLite
BRS = BulkReefSupply .com

Zef beat me to it. I don't have a loaded SPS system, and dosing works well enough for me that I don't need/want a calcium reactor hooked up to my system. Just keeping something else that could malfunction off of my system.

 

[NeveSSL]

I use kalk (through a reactor that's connected to my ATO), but my tank is not high demand.

I'm planning on using dosing pumps and BRS 2-part once I upgrade tanks, though.

Brandon

 

[dvmkv]

i use a drip using pickling lime and works great.

 

[commonstranger]

I have dosed and had a Ca Reactor both. My regulator messed up and now since I am upgrading tanks (yet again) I will be going back to a (bigger)reactor. Of course the tank will be SPS dominate so I lean towards the reactor. If your tank is mostly LPS,softies and only a few SPS than everyone is telling you right. 2 Part is a great way to supplement the tank and is very cost effective. Wish you the best Bart.

 

[ocd_mariner]

My tank is fully SPS dominated. I dose BRS 2part with a doser. I feel like this gives me the safest way to dial in my dosing exactly. I've never used a calcium reactor, so if I had my opinion may be different, but they seem too magical to me.

I've also scared myself away from a kalk reactor/drip. It takes one accidental overdose (happened to me when I was refilling the reactor) to turn your tank cloudy with calcium and take it offline.

Everyone has a way they are comfortable with. I'd recommend starting with a manual 2 part dose and ease into something else if it suits you.

 

[poolkeeper1]

Chuck, You do yourself a dis service If I can run a Ca Reactor anybody can. The to each his own Is the key though because If your not comfortable with the reactor then dosing does the same thing, Just more work as I just glance at my Drip and make sure It's flowing! Done Same thing again every morning and test at least once a month, It's too easy and you can get lazy.
Bill

 

[orthokardia]

thanks so much for the input. it is good to know what folks are doing. it looks like the two part is how I will start and then see how it goes as the uptake increases over time.

you guys rock!

 

[mws12075]

I got some C-Balance for free....been using for 2 weeks...seems ok

 

[cablebox2003]

I was having a hard time keeping ALK above 7 until I started using Alkalin8.3-P
by Brightwell Aquatics. This is a great dry Formula. It also does a good job at keep my pH above 8.15 when the lights go out at night. Measured with a Aquacontroller Apex. Before using Brightwell. My pH would drop to as low as 7.7 sometimes. This is the best Alk formula I have ever used. For Calcium I use Seachem's reef advantage(dry) it does its job but I dont have to dose Cal that often It stays above 440. I also use Oceanic salt so that helps with the CAL. I got the 1kg of both for under $20 and i've them for months. Just my im put.

 

[waynesworld]

if you search for 2 part you can find the great art wrote on it you can buy it from BRS or just make it. There is nothing that hard about it you can get the calc from most coop's in big bags for little of nothing. also ms wedges pickling lime works for a buffer.