What 2 part do you recommend and why?

FrankAbagnale · Mar 8, 2015

I was just about to purchase the BRS 2 Part. Have never used it but reviews show it works.

ChrisQ0904 · Mar 8, 2015

While I haven't been in the hobby for a long time compared to most I too use esv b ionic and have no issues with it.

mguili1947 · Mar 8, 2015

I use the Calcium,Alk and magnisum the price is rightand the product works,easy to mix and their is a caculator on the BRS site tohelp you figure thie amount to dose

Rjramos · Mar 9, 2015

Been using esv b ionic for many years. Seachems reef advantage for magnesium. Although I don't dose magnesium much with water changes. I also get the 5gal buckets.

palmer · Mar 9, 2015

ESV b-ionic here- whenever I change to other stuff my tank doesn't do as well so I stick to it

hart24601 · Mar 10, 2015

I was using BRS 2 part, but I switched to Dr Foster and Smith 2 part as it was cheaper and the calcium is anhydrous so you get more for the weight.

Triggreef · Mar 10, 2015

Been using Triton Elementz for a little more than 2 months and already see much improved results over other 2 parts. It took a little bit of work to dial in as it's a bit different than 2 part, but seems much more stable and it seems like in the long run no more expensive than other 2 parts. Especially when you add in the other elements that people buy to add into their systems like iodine or mg etc that sometimes 2 parts lack. Why use a 2 part when there's a 4 part?

Randy Holmes-Farley · Mar 11, 2015

elitegc said:
I use Seachem, it's got Magnesium

All two parts have magnesium (although some DIY methods have that as a third part).

Randy Holmes-Farley · Mar 11, 2015

FWIW, I'd really recommend that folks using a DIY two part (such as from BRS) might want to consider using the magnesium part as originally devised in the recipe because it maintains both magnesium and the chloride/sulfate balance. Without it, chloride will rise and sulfate will decline. With it, magnesium should stay almost exactly steady, and chloride won't slowly replace sulfate int eh water.

I admit that it is unknown what impact that might ahve long term, and perhaops none, but I'd personally want to maintain the balance.

trout · Mar 11, 2015

This is my first post on this forum. So hello to all.

I use RHF's DIY recipe 2 for the past six + years. I am currently using Fauna Marin salts to prepare my solutions though I used so-called food grade salts until recently. As above, I also use magnesium chloride and magnesium sulphate as per Randy's recipe to maintain chloride and sulphate balance. Having said that I have recently started to use limewater to replace evaporated water (about 1 (US) gallon per day). Both dosing methods compliment each other nicely.

hart24601 · Mar 11, 2015

trout said:
This is my first post on this forum. So hello to all.

I use RHF's DIY recipe 2 for the past six + years. I am currently using Fauna Marin salts to prepare my solutions though I used so-called food grade salts until recently. As above, I also use magnesium chloride and magnesium sulphate as per Randy's recipe to maintain chloride and sulphate balance. Having said that I have recently started to use limewater to replace evaporated water (about 1 (US) gallon per day). Both dosing methods compliment each other nicely.

Welcome!

beaslbob · Mar 11, 2015

redfishbluefish said:
I've been using Randy's two part since 2008. This is the same formula as BRS.

Prestone Driveway Heat for the Calc....2 cups per gallon.

Arm and Hammer Baking Soda (2 1/4 cups cooked at 350 for an hour) for Alk....made up to one gallon.

MAG flakes and Epsom salt for Mag solution (5 and 3 cups respectively, per gallon).

+1.

balkin · Mar 11, 2015

I use BRS but I never have to add MAG with Instant Oceans MAG being so high water changes keep it around 1400..

balkin · Mar 11, 2015

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
FWIW, I'd really recommend that folks using a DIY two part (such as from BRS) might want to consider using the magnesium part as originally devised in the recipe because it maintains both magnesium and the chloride/sulfate balance. Without it, chloride will rise and sulfate will decline. With it, magnesium should stay almost exactly steady, and chloride won't slowly replace sulfate int eh water.

I admit that it is unknown what impact that might ahve long term, and perhaops none, but I'd personally want to maintain the balance.

Good to know I will start adding the MAG!

Greenstreet.1 · Mar 12, 2015

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
FWIW, I'd really recommend that folks using a DIY two part (such as from BRS) might want to consider using the magnesium part as originally devised in the recipe because it maintains both magnesium and the chloride/sulfate balance. Without it, chloride will rise and sulfate will decline. With it, magnesium should stay almost exactly steady, and chloride won't slowly replace sulfate int eh water.

I admit that it is unknown what impact that might ahve long term, and perhaops none, but I'd personally want to maintain the balance.

Are you say that even if my mag is staying above 1380 I still need to dose the mag part of my 2part ? I use ESV salt mix water change every 5g.

jason g · Mar 12, 2015

I use ESV B-Ionic myself. Great product.

Greenstreet.1 · Mar 12, 2015

Greenstreet.1 said:
Are you say that even if my mag is staying above 1380 I still need to dose the mag part of my 2part ? I use ESV salt mix water change every Sunday 5g.

..........

Mattovdawn · Mar 14, 2015

Ive been using Randy's 2-part recipe for years as well. Works great, and the cost is minimal compared to commercial mixes.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Mar 14, 2015

Greenstreet.1 said:
Are you say that even if my mag is staying above 1380 I still need to dose the mag part of my 2part ? I use ESV salt mix water change every 5g.

Adding the recommended amount of magnesium with my two part (such as sold at at BRS) should be adding the same amount of magnesium that commercial two parts (like B-ionic) actually put into one of the two parts. You just do not realize it when you do not see it.

Yes, IMO, it is a little better to use the magnesium additive, even if magnesium is adequate, because it is adding other important things (sulfate).

Randy Holmes-Farley · Mar 14, 2015

That brings up an interesting possibility.

If you do not need magnesium, adding just Epsom salt from the drug store, and at 1/3 of my usual recommended amount, will add the necessary sulfate to keep things balanced and would cost very little.