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What is everyone using these days?
- Thread starter Ifferfish
- Start date
Been using IO since we started the hobby. Our current tank is sps dominated with 2 medium sized clams. I use to dose but haven't since we got our calcium reactor dialed in. Alk stays right around 11 and calcium 440 and it doesn't fluctuate much at all after a water change. We get incredible growth from 7 or 8 of our colonies, so much we have to frag them every 3-4 weeks to keep them from fighting.
Have always used IO.
newenglandreef
Non-member
Yup, that's the one...
Conlius
Fish Eater!
The real differences = trace elements, calcium, mag, etc...and some have a little more phosphate than others.
If you have a calcium reactor dosing (with both crushed corals and magnesium) as well as kalkwasser on your topoff, paired with a phosban reactor running on your setup 24/7, does it matter? Is there any reason to choose something other than the cheapest (I/O)? This is an honest question I have always had.
If you have a calcium reactor dosing (with both crushed corals and magnesium) as well as kalkwasser on your topoff, paired with a phosban reactor running on your setup 24/7, does it matter? Is there any reason to choose something other than the cheapest (I/O)? This is an honest question I have always had.
As everyone knows when it comes to reefkeeping I'm a cheap bastard (actually when it comes to everything I might be also!).
I've used IO for 14 years now. Never had a good reason to change. I usually wait until a local shop has a deal on it and then the price is usually about $30-35 for a 200 gallon box.
I monitor calcium and magnesium in my systems and if necessary will boost these in the tank every 3-4 months with one time additions of magnesium or calcium. The magnesium and calcium that I use is so cheap it's almost free.
I've used IO for 14 years now. Never had a good reason to change. I usually wait until a local shop has a deal on it and then the price is usually about $30-35 for a 200 gallon box.
I monitor calcium and magnesium in my systems and if necessary will boost these in the tank every 3-4 months with one time additions of magnesium or calcium. The magnesium and calcium that I use is so cheap it's almost free.
I'm going to guess BRS or home made Randy's 2 part.
I do the same as Greg and use I.O. that I boost with Randy's 2 part.
I also top off with kalkwasser that I purchase from BRS.
And Greg you're not that cheap....with coral frag sizes anyway.But,you could break down and get some sleeves for your shirts.
I do the same as Greg and use I.O. that I boost with Randy's 2 part.
I also top off with kalkwasser that I purchase from BRS.
And Greg you're not that cheap....with coral frag sizes anyway.But,you could break down and get some sleeves for your shirts.
Royalty
Reefer In Training
I only tried IO and reef crystals I'm not much for dosing actually since I set up my tank I haven't put a drop of any additives besides my salt. I like that Reef Crystals has all the additives I would have to buy off the shelves but the calcium was always a bit high 620 I mixed in IO to see if my calcium would good down. the last time I checked it was around 540. I might just buy two boxes of IO and a bucket of Reef crystals and try mixing in a little during water changes and see what works best for my system.
Conlius
Fish Eater!
BTW...Reef Central has a comparison chart at the following location. It seems to be updated whenever certain brands change their formulas too.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1714505
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1714505
>Which mag and calcium boost do you use Greg?<
I use calcium chloride in the form of Dowflake or Peladow. I have a huge bucket or two from before Dow Chemical changed the process. The new process results in material that may have a bit more of the element bromine (in the form of bromide) in it. But for occasional boosts to calcium even the more recently produced stuff should be fine. Remember, bromine (the element) is a natural component of sea water, you just need to careful not to boost it's level to some really high, unnatural concentration.
I use a mix of magnesium chloride and magnesium sulfate to boost magnesium. The magnesium chloride came from a group buy that I managed several years ago from The Dead Sea Works company. I tested it for ammonia and it came up VERY low. This material is apparently about the same as the MAG flake stuff you can get in hardware stores, but you never know. If you purchase a bag of MAG flake you should try adding just a little bit to your tank first, and also make sure the stuff looks really clean in the bag and mixes up very clean. If you decide the stuff is good, then squirrel it all away.
The magnesium sulfate I use is from Epsom salts. I purchase it from the drug store in big bags. The stuff from the drug store is USP grade, so it should be safe for use in a tank. Again, I'd make sure it mixes up clean, and dose a small amount the first time you use it to check for adverse effects.
I use calcium chloride in the form of Dowflake or Peladow. I have a huge bucket or two from before Dow Chemical changed the process. The new process results in material that may have a bit more of the element bromine (in the form of bromide) in it. But for occasional boosts to calcium even the more recently produced stuff should be fine. Remember, bromine (the element) is a natural component of sea water, you just need to careful not to boost it's level to some really high, unnatural concentration.
I use a mix of magnesium chloride and magnesium sulfate to boost magnesium. The magnesium chloride came from a group buy that I managed several years ago from The Dead Sea Works company. I tested it for ammonia and it came up VERY low. This material is apparently about the same as the MAG flake stuff you can get in hardware stores, but you never know. If you purchase a bag of MAG flake you should try adding just a little bit to your tank first, and also make sure the stuff looks really clean in the bag and mixes up very clean. If you decide the stuff is good, then squirrel it all away.
The magnesium sulfate I use is from Epsom salts. I purchase it from the drug store in big bags. The stuff from the drug store is USP grade, so it should be safe for use in a tank. Again, I'd make sure it mixes up clean, and dose a small amount the first time you use it to check for adverse effects.
