SPS Two Part Question

[Brandon McHenry]

Hi guys!

After another bad experience at one of my local fish stores I returned home with my usual two gallons of NatuReef two part for calcium and alkalinity. Frustrated, I began thinking if I am even spending my money wisely on this supplement. I have a 150 gallon tank primarily SPS with some fairly large colonies (some over a foot wide). I have a dosing pump with three channels and I was just wondering if the two part I am using is worth it for an SPS tank or if there might be something better suited for a fairly high demand SPS tank. I am open to switching brands of two part if people feel that I may get better results with another company. NatuReef is all my local fish store sells so Id either have to drive a little distance to another store or order online. Both would be okay with me if I can come to a consensus on a better product.

As always, any and all help is greatly appreciated.

As I understand NatuReef is more of a South Florida brand, so here is the link to the two part system I am using if people are not familiar with it.

http://natureef.com/products/boosters/hardness-plus-alkalinity-plus/

 

[BryanS4]

I don't know anything about the product you're using, but I use Brs 2-part in a sps reef with no problems. Really cheap and shipping costs next to nothing.

 

[xmas_one]

For your setup I'd be looking into running a calcium reactor.

 

[Brandon McHenry]

I don't know anything about the product you're using, but I use Brs 2-part in a sps reef with no problems. Really cheap and shipping costs next to nothing.

Is it strictly calcium and alkalinity or does it add trace elements? How are things growing? Do you love it or is it just okay?

 

[Brandon McHenry]

For your setup I'd be looking into running a calcium reactor.

How come?

 

[BryanS4]

Is it strictly calcium and alkalinity or does it add trace elements? How are things growing? Do you love it or is it just okay?

No trace elements.

It does the job for me, which my main thing is rock steady alk. I do water changes every week so I don't dose anything for trace elements.

 

[BryanS4]

And I didn't answer growing question, sorry. Things are looking good and growth has been great since hooking up the GHL to the Brs 2 part.

 

[Brandon McHenry]

How big is your system? And does the supplement come liquid or powder that must be mixed? How long does it last you?

 

[BryanS4]

My display is 125g and 40g sump.

I buy the portioned packages, mix with a little water and ready in 5 minutes. Mine lasts like a month, all depends on how much your tank consumes I guess. I have a ton a frags, but only a few colonies, so I'm only at 50ml day right now.

It's so cheap, try it out and if it's not your thing switch back. I tried the Esv brand for a while and went back to standard 2 part after the month.

 

[Brandon McHenry]

Could you send me a link to the exact thing you purchase so I can take a look at it. However my dosing is pretty much double yours so whatever you buy would only last me two weeks it seems.

 

[sromero287]

BryanS4 I'd been using Natureef for the last ten years and honestly been trying to switch to BRS, Esv B-Ionic due to cost for operation but nahh, Natureef two part solutions are by far for my reef super stable and if you read in the components it comes with trace elements already, I did the numbers using different brands but the savings were gone buying the additional trace elements.

 

[ajax]

I used to manage a lfs in s Florida (years ago) and am very seasons with natureef. Our 125 sps tank had a dosing pump running at least twelve hour a day on the alk, and less on the calcium. It was nearly impossible to maintain acceptable alkalinity in the higher demand tanks very high ph levels. Switched to a calcium reactor, problem solved. That being said, it is a fantastic product for mixed reefs and softie tanks. Their kalkwasser called reef former fantastic. I always found corralline growth to be outstanding. My sps tank at home then used that for top off and a reactor with xcellent results.

 

[BryanS4]

I don't dose trace elements so I could care less about something that contains them. I'm glad it works for you, just letting you know what works for me. Tons of different ways to acclompish the end goals.

I've personally found no gain besides steady alk. The amino acids, acro power and all other snake oil isn't for me.

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/brs-2-part-calcium-alkalinity-kit-pre-portioned.html

 

[Brandon McHenry]

BryanS4 I'd been using Natureef for the last ten years and honestly been trying to switch to BRS, Esv B-Ionic due to cost for operation but nahh, Natureef two part solutions are by far for my reef super stable and if you read in the components it comes with trace elements already, I did the numbers using different brands but the savings were gone buying the additional trace elements.

Dose NatuReef perform as well as the other brand though? If you put the cost aside for a second. And do you believe you truly benefit from the trace elements?

 

[Brandon McHenry]

I used to manage a lfs in s Florida (years ago) and am very seasons with natureef. Our 125 sps tank had a dosing pump running at least twelve hour a day on the alk, and less on the calcium. It was nearly impossible to maintain acceptable alkalinity in the higher demand tanks very high ph levels. Switched to a calcium reactor, problem solved. That being said, it is a fantastic product for mixed reefs and softie tanks. Their kalkwasser called reef former fantastic. I always found corralline growth to be outstanding. My sps tank at home then used that for top off and a reactor with xcellent results.

Seeing as my tank is mainly SPS are you suggesting a Calcium reactor? or kalkwasser?

 

[Brandon McHenry]

I don't dose trace elements so I could care less about something that contains them. I'm glad it works for you, just letting you know what works for me. Tons of different ways to acclompish the end goals.

I've personally found no gain besides steady alk. The amino acids, acro power and all other snake oil isn't for me.

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/brs-2-part-calcium-alkalinity-kit-pre-portioned.html

So it comes out to $13 for a gallon of each? That seem much better than the price Im paying now for my supplements if it is.

 

[BryanS4]

The kit for $13 contains the below.

• BRS Bulk Calcium Chloride (Makes 1 gallon)
• BRS Bulk Soda Ash makes (Makes 1 gallon)
• BRS Bulk 2 Part Magnesium Mix (Makes 20 oz.)

 

[Jdmonealp]

or you can buy this for bulk pricing. its not 1 gallon like it says... im on my 3rd gallon of alk/cal and still have a few gal left of mix

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/brs-2-part-calcium-alkalinity-total-package-bulk.html

 

[Robink]

I also use the BRS 2-part, I buy the bulk product and measure it myself. No problems here. Used to get the stuff from the LFS, too much money. The BRS product lasts me longer and better prices.

 

[Big E]

I'd suggest you look into Randy's two part recipe. It costs pennies on the dollar compared to those commercial brands.
I've been using Randy's recipe for a good 8 years on my dominant Sps systems.

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