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Full Version: B-Ionic, Kent Marine CB, or C-Balance?
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Marius2
Which do you prefer better? Or do you recommend another 2 part calcium alkalinity buffer?
JMAdams
I like B-Ionic.
theaquareef
Currently im using kent tech cb because it was on sale and it seems to be doing its job.
Weetabix7
Been using B-Ionic for 2 yrs now, happy with it.
Kent tends not to be very effective.
MedicBMC
I'm interested too....Is it ESV B-Ionic?

Anyone use Brightwell's Reef Code 2 part?
Weetabix7
I am using ESV B-Ionic, yes.
Marius2
So I think the consensus is B-Ionic? I think I'm gonna go out today and grab me some bottles. Gotta love that tax return!
Rockfish
I use C-Balance....works pretty well
LebaneseDlight
Looks like you just started your tank, and you plan on housing rics and zoas? You probably don't need to dose for some time - just keep up with water changes. If you do plan to dose, make sure you test. I have 7-8 SPS frags and a clam, and I only need to dose B-Ionic every three days or so.
Walking_Target
I'm running a reef with Sun Coral, Frogspawn and a single Acan frag (and now a Monti Cap frag).

I can see a 2dkh drop over the course of 7 days if I don't dose about 2ml of ESV B-Ionic Part 1 and will see a purportional Ca drop if I dont dose an equal amount of Part 2.

I tried Kent - I gave it to a friend. It works, but it takes more suppliment to do the same work as a ESV.
el fabuloso
QUOTE (Rockfish @ Mar 5 2010, 07:42 AM) *
I use C-Balance....works pretty well
StevieT
C-Balance or B-Ionic, I have used them both
Marius2
QUOTE (LebaneseDlight @ Mar 5 2010, 09:50 AM) *
Looks like you just started your tank, and you plan on housing rics and zoas? You probably don't need to dose for some time - just keep up with water changes. If you do plan to dose, make sure you test. I have 7-8 SPS frags and a clam, and I only need to dose B-Ionic every three days or so.


Awesome. Thanks for the advice and when/if I do start dosing hopefully it'll only have to be much at all. Did my first water test yesterday and all the parameters were fine except for my PH was a little low, 7.8.
vresor
I've always used B-Ionic, but when my last bottles run out I'm going to mix up some homebrew. Cheap and easy.
MikeTR
I'm dosing 10ML of b-ionic/day.. and i'm still not sure I'm keeping up..
davidncbrown
Used both C balance and B-ionic. I think they both work well. I really like how the B-ionic comes concentrated in the gallon size to save on shipping cost. I use a Aqua-doser to dose twice a day and everything seems to work well.
lakshwadeep
I like B-Ionic. I have the gallon (per part) size, which takes a long time to use.
blasterman
The kent product works, but you have to use more of it along with a lot more buffer (cool.gif.
Amphiprion1
What about Randy Holmes-Farley's homemade 2 part? It is a much cheaper alternative and is very easy to make.
Akwarius
I've had the best stability by dosing b-ionic everyday at a fraction of the recommended dose. By testing ph, alk, and ca daily you can easily increase/decrease the daily dose slightly as needed. With this method I've kept two tanks at a rock solid 10 dkh and 430-450 ca.
disaster999
QUOTE (Amphiprion1 @ Mar 7 2010, 03:16 PM) *
What about Randy Holmes-Farley's homemade 2 part? It is a much cheaper alternative and is very easy to make.


i use homemade 2 part. a hell of a lot cheaper than the bottle stuff esp for my 100gal tank and it works just as well as other name brands
timdanger
i've been using Brightwell Reef Code A and B. I have been underwhelmed for the price, and it just doesn't do the complete job (not enough Mg in Reef Code A to make it a true Ca/Alk balancing solution -- I ended up having to deal with a huge Mg deficiency).

So, I recently ordered the Bulk Reef Supply 2-part solution (which is really 3 parts, with the Mg supplement). This appears similar if not directly derived from Randy Holmes-Farley's 2-part solution as mentioned above.

It is also MONUMENTALLY CHEAPER than buying name-brand dry supplements, and ESPECIALLY name-brand liquid supplements.

1 gallon of the Ca part, for instance, is like 3.99 -- just add RO water and a container to mix it in. Brightwell Reef Code A, in contrast, is like 12.99 for 1L of pre-mixed Ca supplement. So, that ends up being like 1/6 the price to go with the BRS solution.

Now, the BRS solution doesn't give you strontium supplementation; however, according to Randy Holmes-Farley, random strontium supplementation isn't necessary or even appropriate. whatever strontium you need will be provided in your salt mix.
blasterman
Thanks TimDanger, might have to look into that.
nano427
I just ordered the BRS 2 -part today. I cant comment on it's performance yet, but I have read a lot good things about it
Amphiprion1
QUOTE (nano427 @ Mar 15 2010, 10:37 PM) *
I just ordered the BRS 2 -part today. I cant comment on it's performance yet, but I have read a lot good things about it


Not much to perform. It works exactly the same as other, more expensive supplements on the market. The only difference is that it is roughly 1/3 less potent than proprietary supplements, but the overall cost to make it still ends up being cheaper in the long run.
nano427
QUOTE (Amphiprion1 @ Mar 15 2010, 08:46 PM) *
Not much to perform. It works exactly the same as other, more expensive supplements on the market. The only difference is that it is roughly 1/3 less potent than proprietary supplements, but the overall cost to make it still ends up being cheaper in the long run.

I understand this that is why I bought it. The reason I said I cant comment on it's performance is that I have not used it yet and so I cannot recommend a product that I have not tried. I was just informing the original poster of another option

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