What do you consider to be the best calcium supplement?

Brad Villeggiante · #1 04/27/2004, 03:12 PM

Just curious what people think the best calcium supplement is to use for things such as corraline algae, corals etc. I am currently using Kent Marine part A and B. I have a 40 gal. tank and put 5ml. of part A and 5ml of part B in my tank three times a week. I recently just put some live rocks in my tank that I had sitting out for about 1 year so I am trying to get my corraline algae to spread to them. I also just recently purchased Coral Vital and Black Powder in hopes that it would speed up the process a bit but according to other posts I have just read most people think that stuff is junk.

Randy Holmes-Farley · #2 04/27/2004, 03:42 PM

I don' think the the type of supplement matters that much, as long as you add appropriate amounts in appropriate ways. This article compares and contrasts some of the best methods:

How to Select a Calcium and Alkalinity Supplementation Scheme
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm

RedStar265 · #3 04/27/2004, 03:43 PM

Most all Marc Weiss stuff is junk....

brutuscz · #4 04/27/2004, 03:56 PM

I use esv b-ionic and have had good results. Alkalinity,ph and calcium levels are always correct.

MiddletonMark · #5 04/27/2004, 04:05 PM

I've tried Kent, B-ionic, C-balance, and Ocean's Blend 2-part additives. All roughly the same, worked for me.

Personally, I liked C-balance the best [seemed like you could boost levels highest with this] ... but Randy put it straight.

If your levels all test correct ... corals are healthy ... good enough in my book

cuongvynguyen · #6 04/27/2004, 04:09 PM

My preference is to drip kalkwasser.

Raswank · #7 04/27/2004, 04:31 PM

I will second the theory on Marc Weiss junk, and second the nomination for E.S.V'S B-Ionic

Vincerama2 · #8 04/27/2004, 04:42 PM

Yeah, B-ionic is good stuff but gets pricey! My advice to anyone starting out that feels the need for calcium supplementation is to get a CaCo3/CO2 reactor right away and bypass the supplement stage. Also a kalkwasser (Nilsen) Reactor is great too, as you can use it to make up evaporation losses!

V

ich_commando · #9 04/27/2004, 05:03 PM

seachem kalkwasser (0.5 tbsp / 12 fl oz) : 4 oz every day (pm)

kent superbuffer dkh / sodium bicarbonate (aquaious) 6 oz 2X per week (am)

seachem magnessium chloride (aquaious) 2oz 3X per week (am)

seachem reef builder strontium/magnesium/calcium sundays

all liquid volumes are dosed for a 65 gal

i follow that fairly well, and i have more coraline algae than i know what to do with.

clown2be · #10 05/01/2004, 02:18 PM

"IMO" I have used Coral Vital for 3 months now and have see dramatic results with coraline algae. I have had my rock for 1 year with no increase, until I started using Coral Vital. I have always had good levels at dkh 12.cal 450. ph8.3 sg 1.024 but was not working for the purple i wanted on my rock. I Can't prove it was the Coral Vital but I will use it until I have enough coraline algae. Some have said If used to much can cause hair algae.