Bionic 2 part alkalinity alternative?

[exnisstech]

Hey all. Recently both of my tanks have stopped needing calcium but still require alkalynity. I don't know why but calcium is maxing out both test kits (redsea and salifert) but I still have to dose alk. I've been using bionic 2 part but I don't see where I can buy the alk seperately so feel like it's a waste at this point in time. It's the only A and C supplement I have used so I'm not really sure of the options for an alk only supplement. Do any of you have a recommendation? I do have a grain scale so I can mix powder but I'm a simpleton when it comes to math so I need something not too complicated. As to why my calcium is so high without dosing is a mystery but corals are looking better than they ever have so I'm not even going to worry about for now. TIA

 

[KStatefan]

ESV 1 Gallon Alkalinity

NOTE: This is component 1, ALK only B-Ionic Calcium Buffer is the original, unique, easy to use, two-component liquid supplement system, which does not contain any organic compounds. It solves many of the problems associated with other forms of calcium and alkalinity supplementation. This...

premiumaquatics.com

 

[bakbay]

You can look at this, no calculator needed: 1 bag per gallon (provided jug).

2-Part Pharma Calcium & Alkalinity Total Package Pre-Portioned

Easily maintain calcium, alkalinity, & magnesium in your reef! The 2-Part Calcium & Alkalinity Total Package comes with pre-portioned containers of calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium to make your own 2-part liquid dosing solutions, even the gallon mixing jugs and dispensing pumps are included...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

 

[bakbay]

ESV 1 Gallon Alkalinity

NOTE: This is component 1, ALK only B-Ionic Calcium Buffer is the original, unique, easy to use, two-component liquid supplement system, which does not contain any organic compounds. It solves many of the problems associated with other forms of calcium and alkalinity supplementation. This...

premiumaquatics.com

Ok - even better. I just use BRS on my other tank

 

[homer1475]

Could also use just plan old arm and hammer baking soda.

https://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Could also use just plan old arm and hammer baking soda.

That's what I'd do, but the OP should be sure the problem is real.

There is no scenario where alk demand is significant without using calcium at a relatively fixed ratio (unless using a sulfur denitrator). Perhaps calcium is being added some other way, but it may also be test error.

 

[exnisstech]

That's what I'd do, but the OP should be sure the problem is real.

There is no scenario where alk demand is significant without using calcium at a relatively fixed ratio (unless using a sulfur denitrator). Perhaps calcium is being added some other way, but it may also be test error.

I'm not sure what is going on with the calcium not being used. To be honest I'm not sure when it even started because calcium has been so stable its not something I normal test. It is the same on two tanks using two different test kits on both. Could be the salt, I use a 50/50 mix of IO and reef crystals.
I haven't tested a fresh mix because to be honest my corals are looking better than they have in 7 years so untill things start looking bad I'm just going to roll with it and keep alk up. I know it's probably not what I should do but I don't want to create a problem by chasing things. That and my chemistry skills are non existant.

Could also use just plan old arm and hammer baking soda.

https://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php

Thank you! Much more affordable.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I'm not sure what is going on with the calcium not being used. To be honest I'm not sure when it even started because calcium has been so stable its not something I normal test. It is the same on two tanks using two different test kits on both. Could be the salt, I use a 50/50 mix of IO and reef crystals.
I haven't tested a fresh mix because to be honest my corals are looking better than they have in 7 years so untill things start looking bad I'm just going to roll with it and keep alk up. I know it's probably not what I should do but I don't want to create a problem by chasing things. That and my chemistry skills are non existant.

Thank you! Much more affordable.

Do you know the alk demand or the alk dosed (in dKH per day)?

The calcium demand may just be too low to easily see.

 

[exnisstech]

Do you know the alk demand or the alk dosed (in dKH per day)?

The calcium demand may just be too low to easily see.

I do not. One tank is 40g total and I dose 5ml of bionic alk but I have no idea what that is as far as dKH for that amount. The other tank is 200g total and I dose 30ml in that one but also drip kalk 45 minutes on and 5 minutes off 24 /7 through a brs doser. I don't even know how much kalk I'm dripping. I set it up at a certain amount at the start and just increased the on time as needed to increase the dose amount. I only measured at the start. I was dosing equal parts of alk and calcium all along until 2 weeks ago when I tested and saw calcium was high then started alk only . Calcium has most likely been creeping up and I just didn't catch it because I hadn't been testing due to it being consistent for so long. I imagine calcium will start to fall eventually since I only dosing alk. I'll watch for that then recalculate my consumption rate needed for both.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I do not. One tank is 40g total and I dose 5ml of bionic alk but I have no idea what that is as far as dKH for that amount. The other tank is 200g total and I dose 30ml in that one but also drip kalk 45 minutes on and 5 minutes off 24 /7 through a brs doser. I don't even know how much kalk I'm dripping. I set it up at a certain amount at the start and just increased the on time as needed to increase the dose amount. I only measured at the start. I was dosing equal parts of alk and calcium all along until 2 weeks ago when I tested and saw calcium was high then started alk only . Calcium has most likely been creeping up and I just didn't catch it because I hadn't been testing due to it being consistent for so long. I imagine calcium will start to fall eventually since I only dosing alk. I'll watch for that then recalculate my consumption rate needed for both.

magic eight ball says: very low.

Reef Chemistry Calculator

5 mL of ESV B-ionic in 40 gallons is only 0.25 dKH per day.

That will only be accompanied by a 1.7 ppm per day calcium consumption to make calcium carbonate, and it may just be coming from rising nitrate at that level. In any case, it might take weeks to see thqt calcium decline with a test kit.