B-Ionic, Kent Marine CB, or C-Balance?

[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]

I use C-Balance....works pretty well

[StevieT]

C-Balance or B-Ionic, I have used them both

[Marius2]

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 (.

[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.

[Trolldoll]

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php

[disaster999]

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