How should I be controlling alk and ca?

[Killer Karma]

So I'm getting back into the swing of things and I'm wondering if I should be using another method. I have a 350 gallon tank with a 150 gallon sump. Mixed reef including acros. Currently I'm using B-Ionic two part, after switching from Brightwell. I tested it and I have not noticed any real difference in the two. Should I be using a different method that is more cost efficient, do other two part brands produce better results. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[GoVols]

Welcome to Reef 2 Reef.

How long as your 350 been setup and how many and what are the sizes of your corals.

When you used Brightwells how many ml's per day were you dosing to to keep your cal and alk inline?

 

[chipmunkofdoom2]

Using bulk supplements, like those available at Bulk Reef Supply or Randy's DIY two-part, are very cost effective. Certain commercially-available two-parts sold in liquid form have some additional trace elements, but to me the increase in price is not worth it. I would personally go bulk if you're going the two-part route. But, that's just me.

 

[Killer Karma]

The tank is an upgrade from my 75 to a 175 then a 350. However, the 350 has been running for almost five years. I have a mix of corals but the largest area torch that is about a foot and a half by a foot and a shelf acro that is a foot by eight inches. Several other medium acros and medium acan colonies. I would have to be home to check but I think I'm dosing about 15 ml of alk and similar ca daily.

 

[Killer Karma]

Using bulk supplements, like those available at Bulk Reef Supply or Randy's DIY two-part, are very cost effective. Certain commercially-available two-parts sold in liquid form have some additional trace elements, but to me the increase in price is not worth it. I would personally go bulk if you're going the two-part route. But, that's just me.

Thanks for the link! I'm considering going the bulk reef supply two part that you make yourself. Anyone have anything positive or negative about this product.

 

[chipmunkofdoom2]

Thanks for the link! I'm considering going the bulk reef supply two part that you make yourself. Anyone have anything positive or negative about this product.

I use the BRS supplements for magnesium and calcium. They work well. No frills, but they work exactly as advertised: they keep my Mg and Ca up, and in bulk they're very, very cheap.

I don't use their alkalinity supplement though. For carbonate alkalinity, I use Randy's recipe (the one that uses sodium bicarbonate). It's basically bit of baking soda in a gallon of water. I always have baking soda on hand and if it's sufficiently pure for humans to consume, it should be sufficiently pure for a reef tank. I hate to order another supplement when I have perfectly good sodium bicarbonate sitting in my pantry.

 

[Killer Karma]

Well I really like the idea of just using baking soda, cost saving! Now the B-ionic and others indicate they also replenish the commonly lost elements. I'm wondering how big a loss this would be to my tank