two part solution?

[jrockwater]

just want to know who has used the two part solution products to add calcium alkalinity to their reef systems, thoughts on the products, and does anyone recommend this product or not.

[reef_doug]

They are the highest quality products available. Exceeding most or all of the supplements availabe. Most experienced DIY people get the supplies from them.

I only get the Mg Chloride & High Purity Calcium Chloride (food grade Anhdyrous Calcium Pellets).

I use Arm & Hammer baking soda (and bake for 1hr at 350) for the Alkalinity part and Espon Salt for the Mg Sulfate. I purchase both at Costco.

[bdare]

Is it OK to just use Epson salt for the Mg part? The 2 part web site sells mg sulfate and Mg chloride...

[bertoni]

Using just epsom salt will elevate the sulfate level in the water, over time. How bad that might be is unknown, but using magnesium chloride does keep the ionic balance closer to seawater.

[kdblove_99]

Think you wanna mix the epson with the magflake

[jrockwater]

it sounds pretty cheap which is always a plus. thanks for the info

[reef_doug]

For the Mg, I heard it's best to dissolve the Mg Sulfate and Mg Chloride seperately (eg: 1/2 gal RO/DI each) then mix the disolved solutions together to make the Mg solution. Works for me.

[bertoni]

Magnesium sulfate and magnesium chloride are reasonably soluble, so I just dump them both into the container and add water. The mixture usually has some undissolved particles.

[bobt2]

just got mine yesterday, and started using it today.i took readings before i started and will check them in a week.

[jrockwater]

i'll check back and see how it works for, you good luck.

[bobt2]

after 5 days, heres what i found.i started by dosing .5 ml. i have 3 tanks. 2 are softey only with good coraline growth. my cal and alk are very close to where i was with a off the shelf 2 part. my 3rd tank is a 75 mixed reef. using .5ml per gallon i have gone from 8 dk to 6.4 and cal from 410 to 390.i,m going to up the dose in this tank to 1ml per gallon and check it after 5 more days. btw, i was using almost 1ml per gallon of the off the shelf product.

[TracyZeuner]

If I remember, the off the shelf stuff(B-Ionic) is stronger then the homemade stuff. Something like 2/3rds

[bobt2]

i,ve used both b-onic and kent. with kent the alk seamed to climb higher and with b-onic the cal would swing higher over time with equal parts added each day. just my findings

[tmz]

I use Two Part Soutions calcium hydroxide and magnesium chloride. Nice products.