B-ionic questions

[dbj180]

My calcium is around 300 and alk at 8 dkh. I want to bring the calcium back up to around 420. The B-ionic that I have says that's it's concentrate and I can't find a similar jugs for sale online.

According to all the reef chemistry calculators I have tried I need 1500 ml to get the calcium back up. I know that I shouldn't bring it up more than 50 ppm per day but even if I quarter 1500 ml it's still 312.5 ml a day. Which is equivalent to 1.3 cups and that just seems like way to much to me.

I have a 180g display with around 35g sump (DIY). With displacement I'm assuming it's around 200g total volume.

I did do a 10% water change after work today and after I tested it didn't seem to change the calcium levels much. Of course this was right after the water change.

Any advice about using B-ionic or how to bring my calcium up would be much appreciated.

 

[RobZilla04]

Do you have a doser? Setting up to dose 24/7 over the course of a week would be easy to do. Either use the concentrate or dilute in RODI possibly.

 

[dbj180]

Do you have a doser? Setting up to dose 24/7 over the course of a week would be easy to do. Either use the concentrate or dilute in RODI possibly.

I don't currently have a doser. I was thinking about doing it by hand for a little while until funds are there. It seems like it might just be trial and error for now.

 

[pecan2phat]

Have you thought about using just a calcium supplement to bring the calcium up? That's what I do when the 2-part parameters are out of balance. I use what I have on hand such as Seachem Reef Complete, they have another product called Reef Advantage Calcium also.

 

[dbj180]

Have you thought about using just a calcium supplement to bring the calcium up? That's what I do when the 2-part parameters are out of balance. I use what I have on hand such as Seachem Reef Complete, they have another product called Reef Advantage Calcium also.

Honestly this is the first time I have had experience with having to dose anything. I thought I would have more time to research it before it became a issue but the corals aren't having it. It never really crossed my mind to not use two part. I will look more into the seachem products now. Thank you for the suggestion.

 

[pecan2phat]

Yeah, just use the Reef Complete or Reef Advantage Calcium to bring it into balance and continue your B-ionic dosing. Test once a week to see if the levels stay stabile or if you need to adjust. I don't personally think it's voodoo to dose 1-part higher than the other as long as it's minimal.
I also have a 180g display and my B-ionic draw is 120ml of each daily but I need to bump the calcium part up a bit. The 120ml gives me 8.6 DKH alkalinity and 410 ppm calcium which is off balance also.

 

[dbj180]

Yeah, just use the Reef Complete or Reef Advantage Calcium to bring it into balance and continue your B-ionic dosing. Test once a week to see if the levels stay stabile or if you need to adjust. I don't personally think it's voodoo to dose 1-part higher than the other as long as it's minimal.
I also have a 180g display and my B-ionic draw is 120ml of each daily but I need to bump the calcium part up a bit. The 120ml gives me 8.6 DKH alkalinity and 410 ppm calcium which is off balance also.

Do you have to dilute the b-ionic? If so I can't seem to find the correct mixture anywhere.

 

[pecan2phat]

You only have to dilute the B-ionic if you bought the 1 gallon jugs or the 4 gallon pails. The 1g jugs have a sticker on them for fill point and the 4g pails is by amount in ounces.

 

[Hitman]

^^^ Exactly what was said above. I have used ESV B-Ionic for a few years and absolutely love their products. I have added 6 cups of CA all at once because I was talking and not paying attention and nothing bad happened. Would I suggest do it no way! I do feel I got lucky.
Save up and get yourself a good doser it will keep things much more stable and remove one more thing from your day to allow you to enjoy your tank.

 

[dbj180]

Ah now I see the dilution instructions. Thanks everyone for the replies. How do you guys feel about jebao dosers? Someone near me has one for $30.

 

[Hitman]

Ah now I see the dilution instructions. Thanks everyone for the replies. How do you guys feel about jebao dosers? Someone near me has one for $30.

I had one for 6 months. Personally they are not reliable. The first few months no issues after that you never knew what if at all it would dose. If your looking for a budget friendly and reliable one you can't beat the Coral Box WIFI from reefbreaders. If budget is of no concern GHL all the way.
With that said others have used the Jebaos with no issues but I just can't see using something that doses things to my tank that if done wrong can and will crash all my hard work. Yes others can fail as well but the higher quality ones connect to controllers to protect you.

 

[pecan2phat]

I've been using one for 5 months and have not had any problems so far.

 

[dbj180]

I guess in the long run you get what you pay. If it makes you happy and works then you got what you needed. I have some extra things going on right now so cheaper is better for me at the moment.