Calcium dosing question

[Dingo Dog]

Since early 2004 I've manually dosed calc and alk and will soon be installing a two-separate channel Sentry dose pump.

Should I continue using the same calc and alk (Reef- complete calcium & Reef-carbonate akl) or try the 2 part Kent Tech-CB calc & alk?

The Reef-complete calc does help maintain the calc level without affecting the pH and contains traces of magnesium and strontium in the appropriate amounts. I don't see where the Kent formulas provide those same benefits. Maybe this is a moot point since I buy water from my LFS for water changes and r/o top off.

 

[bertoni]

It's likely a moot point, but there are other formulas, like the B-Ionic, that supply other elements. I make my own 2-part these days, though.

 

[bpd964]

I would actually buy a calcium reactor at this point. You have probably spent enough in two-part and supplements to buy 2 reactors already..

 

[Billybeau1]

A good 2-part should do you just fine, either the commercial ones or Randy's DIY. You will still have to supplement Magnesium once in awhile and I wouldnt worry about the strontium if you do regular water changes.

Reef Complete is a concentrated calcium chloride and a little goes a long way. This product, like Turbo Calcium, is usually used to make occasional corrections to Calcium levels.

If you are going to start dosing, you may find mixing up your own is way less inexpensive in the long run and not that difficult to do.

Give it a read and see what you think.

New and Improved DIY formula
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php