I just started using a calcium reactor - used to use b-ionic - is there any supplement that includes all trace elements in one bottle other than calcium and alkalinity (ie - strontium, iodine, magnesium etc etc) I do large volume water changes every week and know that most will be replenished with this but is there something to use in between - I know that my tank calcium consumption is pretty high so I am assuming that I am also using all these trace elements pretty quickly as well
trace element supplement to use with ca reactor?
- Thread starter dolt
- Start date
drock59
Premium Member
This is all u need to add when your mag levels get low.
http://store.hvchemical.com/search.htm?searchterm=magnesium+chloride&step=2&ViewFrom=1&NumResults=10
http://store.hvchemical.com/search.htm?searchterm=magnesium+chloride&step=2&ViewFrom=1&NumResults=10
drock59 - is that a crystal form like salt or stony like reactor media? (there are no pictures that I could find on the website) - I would assume it is crystalline though as isn't that what is in the driveaway de-icer salt? - I am looking for solid media to put in the reactor for Mg supplement - if you put a salt-like material in it will dissolve all at once and greatly increase levels - the zeo stuff is stony-like so would dissolve slowly
-I was also looking for a multi-type supplement for other trace elements (don't want to have to dose many different things all the time) - something like b-ionic minus the calcium and alkalinity (it has many trace elements in each component)
-I was also looking for a multi-type supplement for other trace elements (don't want to have to dose many different things all the time) - something like b-ionic minus the calcium and alkalinity (it has many trace elements in each component)
Kip - that is one possibilty, (for the mag at least) but in the chemistry forum no-one seemed to know where it could be gotten - is that what the zeo mag supplement is? also how do you like the radiums? I ordered one just to give it a try - they use them at atlantis and I just love how their tanks look - I used to think they were too dim but they didn't seem so there - also the par is pretty good (whereas the XM is not so great)
-I guess one other question is exactly is in the rowalith c reactor media? does that contain all the trace elements that I would need?
-I guess one other question is exactly is in the rowalith c reactor media? does that contain all the trace elements that I would need?
Kip
New member
i dont know about the rowalith c-reactor media
as far as trace elements... i just run a c-reactor w/ koralith and a k-reactor with ESV kalk... and let my water changes every 2wks take care of the rest. i have some dolomite, but havent used it yet. I have a supply of ESV magnesium that is quickly running out. (100g water changes with 1100ppm IO)
the radiums... i like them on 400w hqi... on electronic or standard magnetic they are dim and really blue... on hqi (some call it overdriven) they look like ~13k to me. It took my corals a coupla months to get used to them, but i am very happy now. Biggest downfall to radiums overdriven is having to replace them every 6 months. If i ever change, the bulb life will be why.
as far as trace elements... i just run a c-reactor w/ koralith and a k-reactor with ESV kalk... and let my water changes every 2wks take care of the rest. i have some dolomite, but havent used it yet. I have a supply of ESV magnesium that is quickly running out. (100g water changes with 1100ppm IO)
the radiums... i like them on 400w hqi... on electronic or standard magnetic they are dim and really blue... on hqi (some call it overdriven) they look like ~13k to me. It took my corals a coupla months to get used to them, but i am very happy now. Biggest downfall to radiums overdriven is having to replace them every 6 months. If i ever change, the bulb life will be why.
drock59
Premium Member
kp you shouldnt have to dose anything else for trace elements. It should all be there when your Calc reactor dissolves the media.
As far as dolomite, do a search. I beleive Randy Holmes does not recomend it. That is enough for me not to use it.
Lastly, is there any reason why you dont want to dose magnesium? IF you put something in the Calc reactor for magnesium, wont it dissolve at a different rate than the media. Therefore, giving you lower or higher levels of magnesium than you want? Seems easier to add a little epsom salt and magnesium chloride flake every once in a while.
As far as dolomite, do a search. I beleive Randy Holmes does not recomend it. That is enough for me not to use it.
Lastly, is there any reason why you dont want to dose magnesium? IF you put something in the Calc reactor for magnesium, wont it dissolve at a different rate than the media. Therefore, giving you lower or higher levels of magnesium than you want? Seems easier to add a little epsom salt and magnesium chloride flake every once in a while.
Kip
New member
drock... yeah.... i dont dose anything for trace elements... i agree the reactor (and water changes) give me all the trace elements i need.
dolomite breaks down slower than aragonite c-reactor media. in fact, to get the benefit of the mag outta the dolomite you should put the dolomite closest to where the co2 first enters the reactor chamber.
if i had a readily available and pure source MgCl flake i would use it. I got some industrial grade MgCl and it bleached my softy tank.
The MagFlake by DeadSea Works isnt very easy to come by in NC. Not much ice here.
dolt... before the radiums i was running 250wDEp14ks on pfo hqi ballasts. i now run them on my frag tank. they do a good job, but an acro near the bottom of my tank is a lot more colorful under the 400wSE radiums than it was under the 250wDE p14ks. The 400wSE radiums on hqi are brighter/whiter than the 250wDE p14ks.
dolomite breaks down slower than aragonite c-reactor media. in fact, to get the benefit of the mag outta the dolomite you should put the dolomite closest to where the co2 first enters the reactor chamber.
if i had a readily available and pure source MgCl flake i would use it. I got some industrial grade MgCl and it bleached my softy tank.
The MagFlake by DeadSea Works isnt very easy to come by in NC. Not much ice here.
dolt... before the radiums i was running 250wDEp14ks on pfo hqi ballasts. i now run them on my frag tank. they do a good job, but an acro near the bottom of my tank is a lot more colorful under the 400wSE radiums than it was under the 250wDE p14ks. The 400wSE radiums on hqi are brighter/whiter than the 250wDE p14ks.
drock59
Premium Member
I think if you use food grade Mg Chloride like from the above link you would be fine. Especially if you use it in accordance with Randy's guidelines. Using epsom salt and MgCl in a one to one mixture i believe.
http://store.hvchemical.com/search.htm?searchterm=magnesium+chloride&step=2&ViewFrom=1&NumResults=10
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=695795&highlight=Dolomite
http://store.hvchemical.com/search.htm?searchterm=magnesium+chloride&step=2&ViewFrom=1&NumResults=10
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=695795&highlight=Dolomite
well, they do kind of have a rep for being a bit secretive (which is fine by me and am even thinking about trying some of their supplements such as pohls) and I just wanted to know what exactly is in the mag supplement - was hoping that it might be a mined mineral supplement or otherwise that might contain other beneficial trace elements so I wouldn't have to monkey with adding thirty five different trace elements individually
(which is fine by me and am even thinking about trying some of their supplements such as pohls) and I just wanted to know what exactly is in the mag supplement - was hoping that it might be a mined mineral supplement or otherwise that might contain other beneficial trace elements so I wouldn't have to monkey with adding thirty five different trace elements individually
