What do you use for CA/Alk supplimentation?

[meintn]

I am considering getting a more automated delivery system for my tank and am wondering what the popular system is among MTRC. Please post what you use, how long you have used it, how much of a pain the maintenance is, and if you are satisfied with the it. Thanks!

 

[waynesworld]

2 part for a year and works as good as you watch it and set it up. if yoiu get controlers it is easy but you have to still test. It is cheap

 

[meintn]

ya, that's the way I think I'm going as well but am curious how many do what. Do you manually add or have any automation setup?

 

[ocd_mariner]

2 part from bulkreefsupply.com dosed with a litermeter.

 

[fallinapart]

2 Part, mix my own but use the bulk reef supply gallon jugs with 1oz hand pump.

 

[poolkeeper1]

Have tried 2 part, it works but IMO too much work. I now use a Ca reactor once dialed in, is much more stable and easier to care for. The cost to setup is what scares most people off being in the 500.00 dollar range but since doing so have had much more stable parameters which = success. PH 8.2-8.4 Kh 8-9 Ca480-500
I think you can get good results from either method but for me a reactor is the easiest way to go. With 2 part my KH was always out of wack with my Ca or vise versa.

 

[zoalogist]

I use 2 part, and since it is cheaper is a good place to start. IF you have trouble with it, try a reactor.

I also used to dose (in my tank from 10 years ago) with Kalkawasser and had good results with that

 

[zoalogist]

[No message]

 

[Nashvegas]

Mrs. Wages Pickling Lime is at Walmart and real cheap! and its easy to make a drip doser as well...I use that in addition to a calc reactor and have seen good results

 

[fishdoc11]

I've used 2 part since I started reefing and have had good results. I dosed manually for the first few years and I've been using a Litermeter III for going on 3 years now. I started using homeade 2 part 4 years ago or so (maybe 5) and have been very happy with it. Here is a link to Randy's DIY 2 part:

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/april2004/chem.htm

Getting the Ca++ part isn't as easy as it used to be though:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1271282&perpage=25&pagenumber=1

There are some pretty cheap alternatives for dosing pumps as well. The Litermeter III is nice but options that are just as reliable can be had for much less:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1386225

hth, Chris

 

[NeveSSL]

I've been using a kalk reactor for a little over a year now and have had really good success with it. I do worry that I'm just about pushing it to its max only topping off about 3g a week, though, so two part is in my to-do list or at least to check out (as is carbon and GFO).

You can automate it without spending a fortune on LiterMeters or other reef dosing pumps (although they do make it super easy). Just use one of the calculators and get some used peristaltic pumps on ebay and figure out how much to dose. This is how crumbletop does it to the best of my knowledge and I believe he may even have an excel spreadsheet that does some calculating.

EDIT: The final link that Chris has is where crumbletop explains his setup a little bit.

Also, some people are reporting that DOW may be ok to use in reefs again with regular water changes. Are you still using DOW Flake, fishdoc?

Brandon

 

[fishdoc11]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14357624#post14357624 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by NeveSSL
Also, some people are reporting that DOW may be ok to use in reefs again with regular water changes. Are you still using DOW Flake, fishdoc?

Brandon

Yeah, I am finally at the end of a bag of Dowflake I bought a few years ago. I have another 50lb bag of Dow anhydrous CaCl that is pre 2006 I picked up here a few months back so I'm good for a while.
I also forgot to mention I dose kalk with topup

 

[poolkeeper1]

I also forgot to mention that I dose Kalk with all top off water added. This helps to keep my PH higher at nite when lights are off on the tank.

 

[commonstranger]

2 Part here as well. Just pour it in once a day on each and done. I dont mind doing stuff like this it reminds me I have a tank and that it takes your time to take care of it.

 

[meintn]

majority do 2 part it seems and I think I will follow suite for now. Thanks!

It seems people are alittle prouder of their peristaltic pumps on ebay now though

 

[scottkel]

i use pickling lime as well

 

[GT_Jacket]

Bulk Reef Supply 2-Part + Mag Kit
Kalk stirrer w/ BRS Kalk for topoff

 

[NeveSSL]

FWIW, I found some Mrs. Wages at Wal Mart on clearance for almost half price at $1.50 per canister. I bought two.

Brandon