How do you manage your calcium levels?
- Thread starter blange3
- Start date
A combination of Kalkwasser for all top off and use Seacheam Reed Advantage and Reef Builder to adjust when needed. Typically about once a week to supplement the Kalk.
blange3
Brewer and Reefer
Hey David,
I was thinking after I posted the poll that I should have included a kalk/supplement combo as a choice.
What do you use for your kalk?
On another note, I don't know if you noticed but I got off the fence on my T5/VHO decision for my latest tank and went with the VHO's. Thanks for your input on that. My LPS look great!
I was thinking after I posted the poll that I should have included a kalk/supplement combo as a choice.
What do you use for your kalk?
On another note, I don't know if you noticed but I got off the fence on my T5/VHO decision for my latest tank and went with the VHO's. Thanks for your input on that. My LPS look great!
blange3
Brewer and Reefer
Buying a reactor is something I want to avoid. I want to keep things simple. I have occasional business travel that can last a week at a time, so I wanted to get a sense of the average amount of effort.
I top off this tank with an aquadose and my wife has learned how to tweak the drip rate to keep the sump level where it belongs. So dripping Kalk with an occasional adjustment probably works best to keep things stable when I'm not around.
Thanks for the input!
I top off this tank with an aquadose and my wife has learned how to tweak the drip rate to keep the sump level where it belongs. So dripping Kalk with an occasional adjustment probably works best to keep things stable when I'm not around.
Thanks for the input!
Blange3,
I bought a 25lb bucket of ESV about 3 years ago. Still using it and will continue with that brand. I use the LitermeterIII dosing pump plus the pressure switch for redundancy. I wasn't very pleased with Mr. Wages and the grey residue left behind. I know most say that it is fine but I'd rather spend a little extra since it isn't like tons of money anyways.
T5s, I know is the future and with UVL now on the T5 market I'm hoping for the best but my LPS show tank is still VHO until more time. I was not very pleased the first go round with T5s so more cautious this time. Currently have a 75g with 3 T5 bulbs on it ( 2 Actinic/White + 1 SuperActinic ) and doing fine but still too early and will wait anoher 8 months or so before making any permanent decisions.
I am very curious about the Randy's two part system but would want a good automated way before going for it rather than manually dosing Seachems RA&RB to supplement Kalk. I've used CA reactors for about 6 years but really not fond of C02 addition and having a pressurized C02 tank around the house. Without the 320g tank anymore and no plans of going big again my CA reactor days are over. Many are using the NautilusII dosing pump with the dual tubing but that's a couple of hundred $$. Don't really hear much about the Kent doser for the 2part. How much tinkering do you think the IV type method of the Kent Doser ? I would have to think it's a little more doser friendly than Kalk since more soluable. Is it worth trying ? Do you think you could accurately dose say 40ml per day with one ?
I bought a 25lb bucket of ESV about 3 years ago. Still using it and will continue with that brand. I use the LitermeterIII dosing pump plus the pressure switch for redundancy. I wasn't very pleased with Mr. Wages and the grey residue left behind. I know most say that it is fine but I'd rather spend a little extra since it isn't like tons of money anyways.
T5s, I know is the future and with UVL now on the T5 market I'm hoping for the best but my LPS show tank is still VHO until more time. I was not very pleased the first go round with T5s so more cautious this time. Currently have a 75g with 3 T5 bulbs on it ( 2 Actinic/White + 1 SuperActinic ) and doing fine but still too early and will wait anoher 8 months or so before making any permanent decisions.
I am very curious about the Randy's two part system but would want a good automated way before going for it rather than manually dosing Seachems RA&RB to supplement Kalk. I've used CA reactors for about 6 years but really not fond of C02 addition and having a pressurized C02 tank around the house. Without the 320g tank anymore and no plans of going big again my CA reactor days are over. Many are using the NautilusII dosing pump with the dual tubing but that's a couple of hundred $$. Don't really hear much about the Kent doser for the 2part. How much tinkering do you think the IV type method of the Kent Doser ? I would have to think it's a little more doser friendly than Kalk since more soluable. Is it worth trying ? Do you think you could accurately dose say 40ml per day with one ?
blange3
Brewer and Reefer
David,
I don't think accurate and the Kent doser can be used in the same sentence! Using it for RO/DI is fine, but it's not uncommon to overshoot or undershoot the sump fill line by an inch in a day. My sump has about 15 gallons in it when the pump is off.
I was planning on dripping the Kalk on the slightly diluted side until I was sure these swings weren't going to send my numbers too high. I figured I'd have to run some vinegar through 1-2 times a month to keep the flow steady. I'd test levels weekly and adjust with the 2-part.
I've seen a lot of posts lately wondering about how to automate Randy's 2 part. You might be able to set the drip rate close enough with the dosers if your consumption rate is stable, but then you would have to compensate for the evaporation rate with manual RO/DI additions I guess. I would like to get away from the AquaDose eventually for cosmetic reasons.
As far as the future of my lighting goes, I went with IceCap ballasts so if I decide to switch, I can just replace the endcaps and buy reflectors when my bulbs are ready to be replaced.
I don't think accurate and the Kent doser can be used in the same sentence! Using it for RO/DI is fine, but it's not uncommon to overshoot or undershoot the sump fill line by an inch in a day. My sump has about 15 gallons in it when the pump is off.
I was planning on dripping the Kalk on the slightly diluted side until I was sure these swings weren't going to send my numbers too high. I figured I'd have to run some vinegar through 1-2 times a month to keep the flow steady. I'd test levels weekly and adjust with the 2-part.
I've seen a lot of posts lately wondering about how to automate Randy's 2 part. You might be able to set the drip rate close enough with the dosers if your consumption rate is stable, but then you would have to compensate for the evaporation rate with manual RO/DI additions I guess. I would like to get away from the AquaDose eventually for cosmetic reasons.
As far as the future of my lighting goes, I went with IceCap ballasts so if I decide to switch, I can just replace the endcaps and buy reflectors when my bulbs are ready to be replaced.
Blange, it wouldn't be for topoff. Just to daily dose the 2 part. I was thinking probably not a good option but one of the cheaper if it could work and be low maintenance.
John Kelly
Goniopora Aficionado
Calcium reactor 
No more calcium and alkalinity maintenance headaches. I love it, the corals love it, and my pocketbook loves it.
No more calcium and alkalinity maintenance headaches. I love it, the corals love it, and my pocketbook loves it.
blange3
Brewer and Reefer
David,
I was combining topoff and dosing in my mind. I guess I could add 2 of the smaller dosers. I'll have to see if they would fit under the stand on top of the sump.
Sk8r,
Daily additions are something I'd like to get away from. I have a fair amount on nightime meetings and occasional travel. My wife is shy about dosing.
I'm charting my consumption to get an idea what my requirements are, so things will be manual for a while. The tank is 6 months old. I just started adding corals 4 weeks ago so things are still in flux.
Thanks for all the input. It seems dripping and 2 part dosing are the favored approaches.
For those who drip kalk, any favorites? I know David you said you prefer ESV over Mrs. Wages.
I was combining topoff and dosing in my mind. I guess I could add 2 of the smaller dosers. I'll have to see if they would fit under the stand on top of the sump.
Sk8r,
Daily additions are something I'd like to get away from. I have a fair amount on nightime meetings and occasional travel. My wife is shy about dosing.
I'm charting my consumption to get an idea what my requirements are, so things will be manual for a while. The tank is 6 months old. I just started adding corals 4 weeks ago so things are still in flux.
Thanks for all the input. It seems dripping and 2 part dosing are the favored approaches.
For those who drip kalk, any favorites? I know David you said you prefer ESV over Mrs. Wages.
blange3
Brewer and Reefer
Has anyone used the B-Ionic dosing system? There is a schematic of it on the ESV website.
A little pricey for a collection of tubing, check valves and cups that you have to add air pumps and timers to, but it looks like a good DIY idea since we usually have a lot of that stuff laying around.
I'm off to the DIY forum!
A little pricey for a collection of tubing, check valves and cups that you have to add air pumps and timers to, but it looks like a good DIY idea since we usually have a lot of that stuff laying around.
I'm off to the DIY forum!
Yes, there is a recent thread on that and can be a DIY project. I personally don't quite fully understand how it can accurately measure though, I'm guessing by the amount of time you keep the air pump on ?
blange3
Brewer and Reefer
I got the impression the amount is controled by setting the height of the air vent tube in the cup. Quote from their site says:
I expect that the timing on the air pump needs to be sufficient to complete the transfer, but is not as critical.
Someone in our club is selling one. I'm a little tapped out on reef funds at the moment, but hopefully someone nearby will buy it and I can get to see it in action. The seller bought it used but never set it up.
I expect that the timing on the air pump needs to be sufficient to complete the transfer, but is not as critical.
Someone in our club is selling one. I'm a little tapped out on reef funds at the moment, but hopefully someone nearby will buy it and I can get to see it in action. The seller bought it used but never set it up.
CaptainPicard
New member
I use Seachems Advantage Calcium and it has been working great 
Gary Majchrzak
Team RC
This thread should be titled "How do you maintain your calcium and alkalinity levels".
Maintaining calcium without maintaining alkalinty is no good.
Refer to the articles on Calcium/Alk supplementation in Randy's Reef Chemistry Forum. Here's a link:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=102605
Maintaining calcium without maintaining alkalinty is no good.
Refer to the articles on Calcium/Alk supplementation in Randy's Reef Chemistry Forum. Here's a link:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=102605
blange3
Brewer and Reefer
OK Gary, make it so!
Just a little lazy with the title. Thanks for the links, I've read them many times. I'm using Randy's Mag recipe currently. Was using B-ionic for the other stuff. Trying to make up my mind what to use going forward. If Dowflake was easy to find in the summer, I'd probably be doing that already.
Just a little lazy with the title. Thanks for the links, I've read them many times. I'm using Randy's Mag recipe currently. Was using B-ionic for the other stuff. Trying to make up my mind what to use going forward. If Dowflake was easy to find in the summer, I'd probably be doing that already.
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