ESV B-Ionic vs BRS 2-Part

[Reefahholic]

Sorry guys....I just now was able to get back to this thread. My wife is fixing to have the baby.

Appreciate all the replies. Definitely an interesting read!

 

[Reefahholic]

Local small business coral guy uses ESV 2 part, and another guy with high end acros and montis (like the $200+ a frag ones) does as well. Both of those tanks are thriving, so I see no downside other than increased cost. Debated swapping to it myself in all honesty just to further simplify things.

I'll be uploading a YouTube comparison Vlog talking about my transition from BRS 2-part to ESV B-Ionic very soon. I look at my tank very closely all throughout the day. Most of the corals I've had before in previous systems so I know them pretty well. If I notice any significant changes I will post them here and also talk about it in the video.

One thing in particular that is really interesting is that I have a struggling Gigantea anemone. I've had him for about 3 months now. I'm super interested to see if he shows any improvement with the ESV dosing. If there are indeed trace elements...I should see him respond slightly to those elements.

Also... just switched from IO (regular) to Fritz RPM salt. Will be talking about that transition too. That will likely be the first video, because I want to mix the ESV and let it fully dissolve before I dose it. Not to mention I don't want to change both at the same time. I wanna observe the effects of the salt before I dose the ESV. So that video will come about a week or two later. Both products have already shipped.

Today is my last day of work before a 3 week vacation...so I'll have plenty of time to shoot these videos.

 

[infinite0180]

Following along here. I use ESV and it seems to work great! I bet it would work even better if i started doing some water changes :x

 

[Reefahholic]

Following along here. I use ESV and it seems to work great! I bet it would work even better if i started doing some water changes :x

This is the very reason why i'm switching. Over the last 10 years or more...I've only heard people say how much they like it. I've never heard anybody say that they didn't like it. I'm sure those people are out there, but just about everybody who tries it....says they love it. Hopefully I'll be the next.

If I don't observe any positive changes with my coral (and believe me...i'll be watching hard) I'm switching back.

 

[infinite0180]

This is the very reason why i'm switching. Over the last 10 years or more...I've only heard people say how much they like it. I've never heard anybody say that they didn't like it. I'm sure those people are out there, but just about everybody who tries it....says they love it. Hopefully I'll be the next.

If I don't observe any positive changes with my coral (and believe me...i'll be watching hard) I'm switching back.

Looking forward to the videos! I recently found you on youtube and love the QT/disease treatment stuff! I have a degree in biology so its awesome to see this stuff done by people with experience! Not going to lie i couldnt believe you were doing all that without gloves on man, your one brave soul!

 

[UCF Alum]

Has anybody used both ESV B-Ionic and BRS 2-Part? I’m wondering if the $20 extra for the ESV is worth it. I’ve never used it, but have always heard good things about ESV.

I’m looking for some first hand feedback about the pros and cons of ESV compared to BRS.

The only draw for me is the Trace Elements that ESV offers. Is this true? Has anybody tested the ESV with a ICP test to confirm this is accurate?

Or does anybody know if Randy has commented about it? Please link any information if you have it.

I just sent my ICP off today. I’ve been using ESV for over a year. I’ll let you know the results. Unfortunately, I don’t have anything to compare it to as far as pre use and post use results.

I would imagine the tank will be on the back burner for awhile with a little guy/girl on the way. Good luck!!

 

[rockskimmerflow]

I like ESV, Brightwell Reef Code, and ATI Essentials Pro. Have used the BRS DIY in the past, but with the ease of the aforementioned preformulated options that include magnesium as well as some level of minor/trace element balancing I don't see a reason to go back to BRS bulk 2 part personally - the cost difference is just too negligible in the long run at this point for me. If I had a single system that really demanded an absurd amount of supplementation I'd invest in a large CaRx and call it a day.

 

[Reefahholic]

Looking forward to the videos! I recently found you on youtube and love the QT/disease treatment stuff! I have a degree in biology so its awesome to see this stuff done by people with experience! Not going to lie i couldnt believe you were doing all that without gloves on man, your one brave soul!

Lol, thanks for watching. I do have gloves...was out in that video probably. If you watch enough, you’ll see me wearing gloves.

 

[Reefahholic]

I just sent my ICP off today. I’ve been using ESV for over a year. I’ll let you know the results. Unfortunately, I don’t have anything to compare it to as far as pre use and post use results.

I would imagine the tank will be on the back burner for awhile with a little guy/girl on the way. Good luck!!

Yeah, post up when you get it! I’m gonna do my best to stay active on YouTube and the forums even with the new baby.

 

[Reefahholic]

I like ESV, Brightwell Reef Code, and ATI Essentials Pro. Have used the BRS DIY in the past, but with the ease of the aforementioned preformulated options that include magnesium as well as some level of minor/trace element balancing I don't see a reason to go back to BRS bulk 2 part personally - the cost difference is just too negligible in the long run at this point for me. If I had a single system that really demanded an absurd amount of supplementation I'd invest in a large CaRx and call it a day.

Yeah, I hear ya bro. There’s a CaRx craze going on right now. People with pico’s are trying to buy Geo reactors.

I have a 75/G. I’ve been up to a 220/G. I would get a CaRX if I had a larger system again, but it’s simply not needed right now. If somebody gave me $2,000 I’d go buy a nice Geo or the new Deltec.

 

[Reefahholic]

So can we confirm that the Alkalinity component in these three are...

Somebody please check the math. @Randy Holmes-Farley



BRS = 1900 meq/Liter - 5319 dKH

ESV = 2800 meq/Liter - 7839 dKH
(Bob listed 7840dKH)

Reef Fusion = 4400 meq/Liter -12319 dKH

 

[SWherrey]

So can we confirm that the Alkalinity component in these three are...

Somebody please check the math. @Randy Holmes-Farley



BRS = 1900 meq/Liter - 5319 dKH

ESV = 2800 meq/Liter - 7839 dKH
(Bob listed 7840dKH)

Reef Fusion = 4400 meq/Liter -12319 dKH

What about ATI Essentials Pro? I’m currently dosing but considering switching to ESV due to price and getting much more with ESV

 

[Reefahholic]

What about ATI Essentials Pro? I’m currently dosing but considering switching to ESV due to price and getting much more with ESV

Not sure about ATI Essentials Pro. Haven’t looked at that one yet.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

What about ATI Essentials Pro? I’m currently dosing but considering switching to ESV due to price and getting much more with ESV

ESV is certainly a fine two part, and one I recommend, but ATI may add additional trace elements to help offset consumption (ESV does not).

Whether that is a benefit or a detriment to you may depend on how else you care for the tank.

 

[SWherrey]

ESV is certainly a fine two part, and one I recommend, but ATI may add additional trace elements to help offset consumption (ESV does not).

Whether that is a benefit or a detriment to you may depend on how else you care for the tank.

Ive heard great things about ESV and can’t beat the price. I can get 4 gallons worth for roughly the same price as 5L ATI Essentials Pro. I did like the ATI and have no complaints, just the price in the long run… I have a mixed reef but heavy SPS.