Switched from B-Ionic to Bulk Reef Supply?
- Thread starter jfingers8
- Start date
coralfarm123
New member
This calculator should help. It allows you to pick and choose your additives and tells you how much to use.
http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chemcalc.html
http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chemcalc.html
ryshark
Active member
I made the same exact switch to save lots of money. If I remember correctly I had to dose a little bit more of the BRS in comparison. Try starting off with the same amounts, test frequently and adjust from there. I don't rely on my 2-part for trace elements, thats what my pwc takes care of. For pwc I use the ESV seawater (same maker as b-ionic)
MechEng99
aka Reef'd Up
USNzifer - I respectfully disagree. Many of those "trace elements" we still don't know what role they play in our aquariums, and most are replaced by our salt mixes (for better or worse). I personally would much rather use a cheaper product, test each chemical separately, and dose each chemical separately to make sure I'm not under- or over-dosing. There are thousands of people who use bulk chemicals and have very successful aquariums without adding "trace elements". Yes, there are important trace elements that could cause problems if there is a depletion in the aquarium (potassium for instance), but that isn't common. In those cases, then yes, the addition of trace elements would be very beneficial.
Anyway, this isn't an debate over which product the person should buy, JFingers8 was just looking for what to expect for dosing. Sorry I got off on a tangent.
Anyway, this isn't an debate over which product the person should buy, JFingers8 was just looking for what to expect for dosing. Sorry I got off on a tangent.
belgian_waffleman
New member
I used the calculator on the brs web site, used those numbers and ran the tests after a couple a days and adjust accordingly.
Waffleman
Waffleman
ryshark
Active member
d0ughb0y
Active member
if b-ionic has been working for you, then there is no great reason for you to switch to brs 2 part. the amount you save won't make you rich. I think you need twice the amount of brs 2 part (1 ml/gal) compared to b-ionic (0.5ml/gal) on average (of course ymmv according to your tank consumption, but you will be looking at double the amount from what you were dosing with b-ionic). given that 1 gallon b-ionic will cost about $40, and 2 gallons brs will cost $30+ (with shipping) plus cost of trace element if you dose that, the difference is not going to be that much. I have used both and there are pros and cons for each, but either one will work fine.
Yeah im able to get 8 gallons of B-Ionic for $86 from a local store in my location..so sounds like that is alot less than the cost of Two Part pluss shipping and then trace elements and Magnesium on top of that.. i just prefer to keep it simple and B-Ionic has worked great so far so much better than a CA reactor..
sfexplicit
New member
I switched to BRS from B-ionics without any problems. And rely on regular weekly 10% water changes for those trace elements that are almost impossible to test for. As expensive as this hobby can be I personally feel that the savings over time do add up. Been running with the BRS stuff for over a year. You may end up having to use a little bit more but if you order in bulk it's pretty cheap. To each his/her own though. As long as your water parameters are in line and stable you should be good.
mnchartier
Premium Member
I went the other way from BRS to B-Ionic and I agree with the above, I get it for the same price also.
Uncle Luke
Active member
Yep.. Premium Aquatics has it for 79.99 (8 Gallon)
LifeAquatic
New member
I use BRS 2 part and love it. $56 gets you the large package which includes magnesium ( so its actually a 3 part). I dose 120 mg a day on heavily stocked SPS tank. The large Bulk kit has lasted 7 months. Not bad for $56 plus shipping.
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