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SSalty
02/14/2008, 12:02 AM
Just curious about what supplements you people are using to maintaing proper calcium and alkalinity levels.

I have been using Tech A/B but am looking for other ideas.

Thanks.

Harley-J
02/14/2008, 02:37 AM
tried and true..B-ionic...

Me No Nemo
02/14/2008, 07:15 AM
I agree, B-Ionic, been using it for years. Another good one is Ocean's Blend.

Dave VG
02/14/2008, 09:23 AM
Randy's two part and kalk works for me.

a2fire2i
02/14/2008, 11:49 AM
Randys two part.

Husky_1
02/14/2008, 02:21 PM
Randy's 2 part from bulkreefsupply

SSalty
02/14/2008, 06:39 PM
Is anybody using Pickling Lime? If so, does it balance both alkalinity and calcium? Or just calcium?

Amphiprion
02/14/2008, 07:36 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11850089#post11850089 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SSalty
Is anybody using Pickling Lime? If so, does it balance both alkalinity and calcium? Or just calcium?

Pickling lime = kalkwasser. Yes, it is a balanced supplement, adding both calcium and alkalinity.

Dave VG
02/14/2008, 07:37 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11850089#post11850089 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SSalty
Is anybody using Pickling Lime? If so, does it balance both alkalinity and calcium? Or just calcium?


Yes and yes. Both alkalinity and calcium in my tank. I drip about a gallon of kalk a night. I bump up the calcium about once or twice a month with Randy’s two part to keep it at 450. Alk stays between 10 and 12 dkh. Another piece to keeping the balance is magnesium. I keep that at 1300.

SSalty
02/14/2008, 10:23 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11850465#post11850465 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Dave VG
Yes and yes. Both alkalinity and calcium in my tank. I drip about a gallon of kalk a night. I bump up the calcium about once or twice a month with Randy’s two part to keep it at 450. Alk stays between 10 and 12 dkh. Another piece to keeping the balance is magnesium. I keep that at 1300.

How should I go about adding Pickling Lime to my 55 gallon? Should I add it with my top off water? I evaporate about a gallon a day.

TIA

miwoodar
02/14/2008, 11:19 PM
Sure - top off water is a perfect way to dose kalkwasser. Be careful not to dose too much at once though because it is high in pH and can spike the tank. Using an automatic top off device is worth the investment so you only dose at a slow rate that matches your evaporation.

Here's a good method...don't worry, it's easier than it looks.
http://www.melevsreef.com/plumbing/auto_topoff.html

Dave VG
02/15/2008, 07:56 AM
I drip a gallon at night in my sump sense I also have about a gallon a day of evaporation. I started out doing one teaspoon pickling lime to one gal to see how my tank responded first. I do two teaspoons pickling lime max per gallon now. Keep in mind that two teaspoons is all that will dissolve in one gallon. If you have an ATO that works as well. My ATO consists of the kalk drip and a scoop water once in a while. miwoodar is right watch your PH and ALK. Here a good read on pickling lime:

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/index.php

SSalty
02/15/2008, 01:26 PM
Cool, thanks for the information.

miwoodar
02/15/2008, 01:33 PM
Dave VG - that's a great article.

SSalty - here's another one that might come in handy some day.
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm
This third article would go hand in hand with this link:
http://jdieck1.home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chemcalc.html

sailfintang
02/15/2008, 02:04 PM
I usually rotate with B-Ionic two part and B-Ionic kalk drip. Works well and is inexpensive.

Som1else
02/15/2008, 03:50 PM
I make my own Randy's 2Part. I keep my mag around 1400 to 5000 and am adding ~8oz a day of alk and ca. This is for an sps dominated 75gal.

imprezed02
02/15/2008, 04:04 PM
what do you guys think of purple up?

miwoodar
02/15/2008, 04:06 PM
It doesn't do what it says it does. Use a more traditional approach like kalkwasser or use an A/B solution or use a calcium reactor or dose calcium and alkalinity separately but don't bother spending money on well named but poorly designed products.


---edit
Here's a good read on purpleup...the chemistry gurus weighed in with their opinions and they linked to a bunch of good stuff.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=1285348
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