New to the dosing game! ESV B/Ionic vs Aquaforest

[UABsleeper]

Hey guys so I just ordered my first doser [aqua medic reefdoser evo 4] and before I decide on which brand to dose wanted some of yall's opinion.. First things first tank is a Red Sea reefer 350 about 90 gallons total.. tank has been running for 2 months now.. started adding corals a couple weeks ago..

Corals are mostly frags now mixed reef lps/sps with a couple larger euphillia colonies..
Currently running protein skimmer and carbon/phos in a reactor..

I am having trouble deciding which would be the best method for dosing my tank.. I am stuck between the ESV B-ionic two part plus mag or aquaforest 3 component which appears to be balling method(not really sure of the difference)

Anyone with any experience of the pro's and cons of each system? I am leaning towards the aquaforest 3 component because it looks like it includes all the major and minor trace elements in its mix.. however a little worried that they may become to high over time..?

Current levels are
Ammonia-0
Nitrite 0
nitrate ~2.5
PO4-0.00 Hanna checker
Calcium-440 Red Sea
Dkh 8.0 Red Sea
Mag1400 Red Sea
Water change weekly to bi weekly 5 gallons reef crystals salt


Thanks in advance

 

[UABsleeper]

On second thought I May be going with ATI Essentials Supplements it's basically balling method includes elements in aqua forest but about 30$ cheaper

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

There's no practical difference (from a coral's viewpoint) between balling and a two part. It is just how each company implements the two methods.

That said, both of those are likely fine products (I have particular confidence in ESV B-ionic), but I wouldn't limit my options to them. There are many other good choices, including DIY two parts, limewater, etc.

 

[GoVols]

Hey guys so I just ordered my first doser [aqua medic reefdoser evo 4] and before I decide on which brand to dose wanted some of yall's opinion.. First things first tank is a Red Sea reefer 350 about 90 gallons total.. tank has been running for 2 months now.. started adding corals a couple weeks ago..

Corals are mostly frags now mixed reef lps/sps with a couple larger euphillia colonies..
Currently running protein skimmer and carbon/phos in a reactor..

I am having trouble deciding which would be the best method for dosing my tank.. I am stuck between the ESV B-ionic two part plus mag or aquaforest 3 component which appears to be balling method(not really sure of the difference)

Anyone with any experience of the pro's and cons of each system? I am leaning towards the aquaforest 3 component because it looks like it includes all the major and minor trace elements in its mix.. however a little worried that they may become to high over time..?

Current levels are
Ammonia-0
Nitrite 0
nitrate ~2.5
PO4-0.00 Hanna checker
Calcium-440 Red Sea
Dkh 8.0 Red Sea
Mag1400 Red Sea
Water change weekly to bi weekly 5 gallons reef crystals salt


Thanks in advance

If your interested in the AF Comp (1-3)
I've written a thread on the AF forum on how to lock it into three even daily doses.

Have no complaints on that AF product to report but have not used it in over a year.

I've never used the ESV but they do have alot of happy customers.

Regards, GoVols

 

[UABsleeper]

If your interested in the AF Comp (1-3)
I've written a thread on the AF forum on how to lock it into three even daily doses.

Have no complaints on that AF product to report but have not used it in over a year.

I've never used the ESV but they do have alot of happy customers.

Regards, GoVols

Thanks I will have to look into that.. just curious what did you swap to and why?

 

[GoVols]

Thanks I will have to look into that.. just curious what did you swap to and why?

If you click the below link it shows what I've been using since last October.
Not saying it's any better than anything else but it been humming in my reef.

The second part is personal between Deep Water, AF Poland and Myself but has nothing to do with Comp (1-3).
I stopped using Comp (1-3) in early summer 2016 but had nothing to do with the performance of that product.

 

[UABsleeper]

If you click the below link it shows what I've been using since last October.
Not saying it's any better than anything else but it been humming in my reef.

The second part is personal between Deep Water, AF Poland and Myself but has nothing to do with Comp (1-3).
I stopped using Comp (1-3) in early summer 2016 but had nothing to do with the performance of that product.

May be because I'm using my iPhone but I don't see any link.? To click?

 

[GoVols]

May be because I'm using my iPhone but I don't see any link.? To click?

Can you see this link?
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/govols-red-sea-s-400.308824/

 

[UABsleeper]

Can you see this link?
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/govols-red-sea-s-400.308824/

Yep I see it now beautiful tank I will have to follow along

 

[rosshamsandwich]

There's no practical difference (from a coral's viewpoint) between balling and a two part. It is just how each company implements the two methods.

That said, both of those are likely fine products (I have particular confidence in ESV B-ionic), but I wouldn't limit my options to them. There are many other good choices, including DIY two parts, limewater, etc.

the B-ionic contains traces correct? as opposed to 2 part like BRS which only has sodium bicarbonate and calcium chloride?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

the B-ionic contains traces correct? as opposed to 2 part like BRS which only has sodium bicarbonate and calcium chloride?

Complicated question. lol

B-ionic is not to be considered a trace element supplement, and neither is the normal balling method. Both have trace elements to the extent that they supply calcium and alkalinity, and the equivalent of a very small water change with NSW. Like 30% a year. Nothing more. But supposedly nothing less, so the method itself does not cause depletion of any major element such as potassium or, presumably, the minor and trace elements.

My DIY (as sold by BRS) is not just sodium bicarbonate and calcium chloride. When used as directed, it also supplies magnesium and sulfate in appropriate amounts, and depending on what exact impurities are in those major ingredients, may supply many of the other elements (Dowflake had enough potassium, for example, for it to be balanced). But this method very likely has less of many ingredients than B-ionic, and the method itself will likely reduce elements such as potassium over time since they are not added, and corrections to the salinity serve to drop everything when it is completed.