Iodine and B-Ionic buffer in top-off water

C

ced

New member
I am mixing iodine and B-Ionic calcium buffer system in my RO topoff water.
B-ionic is a two component liquid supplement (alkalinity + calcium), and it says never mix more than 1 ml/gallon of each component. But my tank is 60 gallon, and my top-off bin is ~7 gallons -> I put 15 ml of each(1ml/4 gallon recommended dose) in my bin, and I was wondering if it is still effective?

Basically, can I mix 15ml of B-Ionic alk+cal supplement in my 7 G RO topoff bin?
 
Be sure not to add anything you cant test for as you may overload the tank and kill every thing.
 
You donââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t need iodine and it is too risky to play with.
As for B ionic I donââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t use it, but you canââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t mix the two parts together and dose them.

If you want to dose calcium with your top off use Kalkwasser.
 
I agree. Limewater (cheap) or calcium acetate (expensive) are the only 1-part calcium-alkalinity supplements of which I'm aware.
 
I use C-Balance, which is a 2-part additive similar to B-Ionic. I have always added the components separately as the instructions direct, so I don't know what happens when you disregard the instructions. :-)

As to comments about Kalkwasser, I personally have found that C-balance is easier to dose, keeps the alkalinity up (critical) and the calcium levels are good enough to keep my LPS corals happy.
 
Thank you for your answers, but they are really surprising answers:
Iodine seems to be one of the most common supplement.
Anyway, I put one daily dose in my top-off bin that will empty in ~2 weeks, so no risk of overdose.

Also, ESV B-Ionic seems to be a pretty well known 2 parts buffer.
A while ago, I asked on this forum if I should add limewater to my top-off, and the answer was no, use ESV Bi-ionic.

.....
 
If the two parts are combined, the calcium and alkalinity will precipitate, forming calcium carbonate. B-Ionic or a similar product is a good way to go in many cases, I agree.
 
Hey Bertoni, don't forget about addition of vinegar into limewater as a cheap source of calcium acetate. I have had satisfactory results with it so far.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6532895#post6532895 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by John Steidl
I use C-Balance, which is a 2-part additive similar to B-Ionic. I have always added the components separately as the instructions direct, so I don't know what happens when you disregard the instructions. :-)
Click to expand...

Hi John,

I followed the instructions:
I added the 1st part, let it mix, then added the 2nd part, and mixed again.

The thing is that I am doing this in the RO auto top-off bin, based on the tank size, which involves a higher concentration of both products than the maximum one given on the bottle. Of course, the water will drip in the tank over two weeks, so the concentration in the tank system will be low
.
But I am wondering if increasing the concentration in the RO water will cause the products to neutralize each other. (and then they would be unuseful). ??
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6533002#post6533002 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Amphiprion
Hey Bertoni, don't forget about addition of vinegar into limewater as a cheap source of calcium acetate. I have had satisfactory results with it so far.
Click to expand...

Yes, that's true. I do the same.
 
The way you have that set up makes it to where it not only defeats the purpose, but it will not hold enough concentration to be of any benefit to your tank. If you would like to do it this way, set up two separate containers, adding the appropriate amount of one B-Ionic part in each to settle your demands for the week. If you add the two parts together in the same container, especially at higher dosages, you will simply have precipitation of calcium and carbonate.
 
I think you have your question answered now, but I'll offer one more comment. 15 ml over two weeks may not be a high enough dosage to maintain alkalinity. In my experience, this depends almost entirely on your livestock. My 50g with LPS takes that much every few days, whereas my 30g FOWLR needs much less. Just make sure you monitor until you find the right dosing frequency for your particular setup. And good luck.
 
1. Please read this http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm

1a. Please also read this http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/mar2003/chem.htm

2. B Ionic and other "reef" additives are meant to be dosed seperately to avoid precipitation of calcium (please see point 1) as noted below - they don't "neutralize" each other. If you want to dose calcium in your top off water, do so through a kalkwasser reactor or calcium reactor or both its cheaper and easier.

3. Mixing Part 1 and 2 will not create heat (only specific calcium supplements do that - please see point 1). It will create a brick of calcium if mixed in high enough concentrations and also make your RO water salty (please read 1).

Randy can probably give you the specifics on why 2 and 3 occur in the chemistry forum.


Hope this helps.

Keith
 
Thank you all for the wise advices and information

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6533002#post6533002 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Amphiprion
Hey Bertoni, don't forget about addition of vinegar into limewater as a cheap source of calcium acetate. I have had satisfactory results with it so far.
Click to expand...

How do you dose limewater and vinegar ?
(I am looking for a way to maitain pH and alk using my top off RO, and you convinced me that I can not use B-Ionic)
 
Much thanks!
I'm gonna go for limewater.

The article says some forms of iodine cannot be mixed with the limewater.
So, which form of iodine can be mixed?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

R
Calcium @ 600
Replies
5
Views
624
Scotty333!!!
S
J
Calcium very elevated
Replies
3
Views
811
jcarlilesiu
J
R
How to simplify my dosing?
Replies
1
Views
725
Vinny Kreyling
Vinny Kreyling
S
Dosing All for Reef Questions
Replies
8
Views
1K
Reefing102
Reefing102
C
Dosing Issues
Replies
3
Views
723
BeanAnimal
B
Back
Top