Switched from B-Ionic to Bulk Reef Supply?

Isnt the 8 gallon B ionic actually, two 4 gallons?

The large kits from BRS make 7-8 gallons per part dont they? Which means you are actually getting 14-16 gallons which doesnt include the Mg compenent you also get from BRS.
 
JER-Z said:
yes and yes
Click to expand...

Thats what I thought, lol. Dont get me wrong I used B-Ionic with great results, they have been around a while, and I just ordered BRS two part for the first time.

As part of a group buy I got the large kit for $80 which includes the shipping and you get 7-8 gallons of each part, plus the MG, the pumps and the jugs, and you essentially have as much MG as you need.

Quaility or concentration is one thing and it would be interesting to see what they really pan out to be, but I think cost is a non issue, you are getting double the amount for the same price from BRS, and that doesnt include if you buy even larger quanties like the 5gallon pails from them.


Of course it would be interesting if you needed to dose twice as much BRS two part as b-ionic but I doubt it could be that dramatic. I am no chemist but I am pretty sure you can only saturate the water so high with these chemicals, before they will start to percipate out or solution.
 
I can see two interesting studies out of this.

1) what are the actual amounts of each trace element per ML of B-ionic

2) Growth and color comparison between a system ran on B-ionic and BRS 2 part. (which would require two exactly alike systems set up side by side, any volunteers?)
 
You need to use ~ 65% more recipe 1 DIY to get the same ca/alk dosage as B-Ionic, so you cant make a direct $/gallon comparison. It costs $34 to make 7 - 8G of each part ca/alk of BRS (plus shipping). Since you need 65% more, round numbers, you would only need 5G of each B-Ionic part. Premium Aquatics sells a kit with 2 x 5G pails for $80. I would have to pay for shipping with either. I can also get either of them from the LFS. So, the BRS is still quite a bit cheaper. $80 Vs $34 for similar amounts of ca/alk additives. I'm not a chemist, but do think the ESV is probably a better product (I've used both), but the DIY is very cost effective.
 
shackman said:
When you use the BRS two part do you have to use three dosing pumps? and is that the balling method?
Click to expand...

No, two dosing pumps is fine because you do not need to dose Magenesium daily. BRS says to dose.... off the top of my head... 20oz of Mg after every gallon of Alk/Cal
I just go by my test kit.
 
this has come up before, but if you really want to go cheaper, just get arm and hammer baking soda at costco, and calcium chloride from your local pool supply. it makes the price you pay brs like highway robbery. :)
 
The only problem with baking soda is it is recipe 2 unless you bake it. This makes it only 1/2 as strong as recipe 1. If you bake it, that is more time and electricity or gas to do so which adds a bit to the cost and effort. I got tired of baking the baking soda and switched to soda ash.
 
That is interesting doughboy

I think you have some peace of mind with BRS, theirs claims to be Ammonia and Phosphate free, and a number of reefers use it with success.

How can you tell the purity of the pool supply chemicals? That's what I would worry about.
 
egads that is a huge price difference! The question is.. is purity a concern for this type of thing?
 
just do a search, people have been doing it with no problem. I'll be doing this when my 2 part runs out. even with the smallest package, brs will cost about twice as much. shipping on the two buckets is like $62 from brs while its free from leslie's. sure, peace of mind is priceless.
 
d0ughb0y said:
just do a search, people have been doing it with no problem. I'll be doing this when my 2 part runs out. even with the smallest package, brs will cost about twice as much. shipping on the two buckets is like $62 from brs while its free from leslie's. sure, peace of mind is priceless.
Click to expand...

Your from the Bay Area, right? Aquatic Collection and Neptune's both sell bulk 2 part. I know Aquatic Collection has soda ash and a good number of locals use it.
 
as far as leslie's hardness plus, this document shows it is manufactured by dow
http://www.lesliesmsds.com/DocumentCenter.aspx?did=7a6b21b8-8fb3-444d-805d-b5f5030f1c83
so as per Randy's remarks, this is ok to use.

the soda ash only says it is 99.8% pure sodium carbonate
http://www.lesliesmsds.com/DocumentCenter.aspx?did=6d48affd-0274-41de-8ad2-0601f6306686

anyway, I'm going to give it a try, I bought a small bucket of each.
pool2pt.JPG
 
 
Kinda of funny watching this one:

A couple of Post poster versus 18,000 advice ? Hmmmmmmm!

I by Bulk Reefs 2 part Big Buckets for my dosing pumps on my 300 gal set up, but I also use Mag Flake and tetra for adjusting my IO make up water..... Esv was an arm and a leg in partcomparison a ccording to my check book.

And I watch the results of the mixes in my mixing pails and with out fail BRS's stuff has the clearest (no Particulate) left when done and my SPs are a happy bunch. I have to admit I by my Mag Sulfate local (Epson salt ) cheap to come buy anywhere why ship.

Hey thanks for the tips on the pool stuff I'll watch your progress with it, sounds great so far. The pallet of mag flake gettin' smaller.
 
Last edited:
USNzifer said:
I would not switch from B-ionic if I were you..yes it cost more but look at the label on the B-ionic calcium part and see all the trace elements and magnesium it also contains...2 part will not have those..
Click to expand...

this is bad advise, b-ionic is just a way to suck money out of your wallet
 
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