What do you think is the best dosing method for alk and cal?

DesertReefT4r · Jun 10, 2020

What are you using to maintain alk and cal in you reef and what do you think is the best method. Why do you feel your choice is best or best for you? 2 part dosing including Balling method, Triton and other like 2 part dosing systems? Calcium reactor? Kalk dosing and which method or dosing? Or do you perfer a 1 part dosing system like All For Reef?

BobbyOtto · Jun 10, 2020

Calcium reactor will be the most consistent. Consistency creates stability and stability is the key to success.

brmreefer · Jun 10, 2020

I two part dose, but believe CaRx is the best. Unfortunately cost for initial set up has been the main delay for my system.

One day I'll upgrade. ;Happy

X-37B · Jun 10, 2020

Carx is my choice after dosing my 120 with 2 part for 6 months.
I waited until the demand was their.
Very simple to setup.
I run no ph probe or controller and alk stays 7-7.3.
All I have to do after running the carx for the last 6 months is to look at the effluent to tell what my dkh is.
I have tested and logged every 1-2 days since setup as its quick.
I could easily test once a week but testing alk keeps me in touch with my system and is cheap compaired to other things in this hobby.
Bubbles stay the same due to my 2 stage regulator.
About 1k to set it up right but it is money well spent IMO.

Victor_C3 · Jun 10, 2020

Up until my current build, I’ve only ever had a 30 gallon nano that I used for several different iterations. So, calcium demand was very easily met with dosing a one-part additive from Tropic Marin.

I only tested Ca+ 2-3 times a month to make sure my numbers were still on track, as I found calcium uptake was extremely consistent from day to day. For a small system, one-part is by far the easiest and cheapest way to manage Ca+, Mg+, and alkalinity.

Now that I have a 115 gallon display, I suspect that I’m going to have to go with a different route. I think I might start by dosing kalkwasser first and then by dosing a two or three part solution for the rest of the demand. As I understand, kalkwasser is good for driving your PH up which in turn is great for coral growth.