Help on buying ALK and CALC 2 part

[Mark 75g]

Needing to buy Alk and Calc 2 part solution. Not sure if I should buy the BRS Alk and calc or I found the ESV B-IONIC 2 part 1 gallon alk and 1 gallon Calc for $23.00 (for both) on Marine Depot.

Also, what salt mix does everyone use. I have been using Oceanic reef crystals and also Tropic Marin Salt(Just because Pat was selling bucket at the time) has anyone noticed a difference. Is the Tropic marin worth the extra money?

 

[cloakerpoked]

The BRS will make about 6 gallons of both for close to $30. I'd definitely use it before using the store bought stuff. The reef calculator is also good.

As far as salt, I'd suggest finding something that works for you, and sticking with it. I get good results with reef crystals, so I'm totally unwilling to change, just because I've seen people's tanks go into severe declines when their corals start to struggle to adjust to the different levels caused by a totally different salt, even salt that is supposed to be superior, and often times costs more. Not to say there is anything wrong with that salt brand, just that in most cases, you can't understate consistency in this hobby. Just my observations.

 

[raynist]

Check out the post here a few down about Atlantis, they have a lot of the 2 part in stock from bulk reef supply.

 

[Tswifty]

A lot of people use Tropic Marin Pro Reef, but I personally don't think it's worth the money. I've hopped around and tried out a TON of different salts and my favorite is Coralife. I stopped using Reef Crystals after their batches were posting Alkalinity levels of 12-14 dKH.

As far as the 2-part goes, both ESV and BRS are good brands. I started out with the ESV B-Ionic 2-part system, then eventually switched to the BRS stuff (which is what I currently use). BRS has a calculator on their site for their product, and there is also a Reef Chemistry Calculator on the web which has a lot of other products listed.

http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html

 

[HOZER62]

+1 on BRS 2 part great product and very informative site with videos on how to and a calculator to get you to your appropriate levels!!!