2 part users that mix in TM A and K+ trace.

[CHSUB]

Seems that it is acceptable to mix TM trace elements with 2 part. I dose 2 part BRS with Apex Doser and manually add TM A and K daily. I’ve read some mix together, seems great? However, instructions on TM says to shake elements before adding, guessing because of settling? Can’t shake if I combine with 2 part. Have people considered this?

 

[Miami Reef]

That’s a good question. I shake my trace element bottles, but it’s more of a habit. I didn’t know the instructions said that.

I doubt it’s necessary, but I’m curious to hear from @Randy Holmes-Farley.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Seems that it is acceptable to mix TM trace elements with 2 part. I dose 2 part BRS with Apex Doser and manually add TM A and K daily. I’ve read some mix together, seems great? However, instructions on TM says to shake elements before adding, guessing because of settling? Can’t shake if I combine with 2 part. Have people considered this?

I don’t think those instructions are necessary. The traces are dissolving into a larger volume so increasing the potential dis dissolution, and dissolved chemicals do not settle.

TM has also condoned that use.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/help-with-balling-a-k-elements.998400/#post-11594070

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

That’s a good question. I shake my trace element bottles, but it’s more of a habit. I didn’t know the instructions said that.

I doubt it’s necessary, but I’m curious to hear from @Randy Holmes-Farley.

Do the trace solutions have solids that settle? If not, no shaking is necessary or useful.

 

[Miami Reef]

Do the trace solutions have solids that settle? If not, no shaking is necessary or useful.

No. They don’t. :)

Thanks!

 

[Pod_01]

I mix the TM A and K into TM Original Balling and I am not mixing the final solutions when dosing.
My solution gets used up within 14 days so I don’t think mixing is required.

When they used the clear bottles of A and K I did observe some settling at the bottom of the bottle, not solids more like slime (not a lot) and mixing made it dissolve. The new bottles are need of white plastic so there may be slime/ settling, I still mix it before use…

 

[FishLvR]

I'm new to it but just put the trace in with the part A and B. I'm super new to this method. I am using BRS to keep my magnesium up since part C doesn't cut it. We will see how it goes. Too soon to tell.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I'm new to it but just put the trace in with the part A and B. I'm super new to this method. I am using BRS to keep my magnesium up since part C doesn't cut it. We will see how it goes. Too soon to tell.

Just an fyi, but Part C is not supposed to maintain magnesium against consumption. :)

 

[FishLvR]

Just an fyi, but Part C is not supposed to maintain magnesium against consumption. :)

Duuuuuuhhhh...LOL

 

[CHSUB]

Yes..Will be combining Trace Elements to 2 part!


Dear Mr. Hart,

Thank you very much for your trust in our products.

It is not really necessary to shake K+ and A- Elements before use. In K+ Elements a small quantity of iron may settle at the bottom, but both products are fully effective also without shaking before use, also when used added to a 2 part. Please add the K+ Elements to the calcium and the A- Elements to the alkalinity part.

Kind regards
Hans-Werner Balling

 

[rtparty]

Mixed them together on my old system and never had an issue. Just dumped them in, gave it a quick stir, and away we went

 

[mboley]

I've read that Hans Werner Balling recommends 185 ml of A and K per gallon of two- part and this amount matches there All For Reef product.

Yet the BRS recommendation is less. For those of you who add A and K to your two part, how much are you adding? I just upped mine to 160 ml due to a recent ICP test.

And is anyone dosing A and K automatically on a doser to eliminate the connection to your two-part dosing?

 

[Borat]

i mix a&k into alk and calciim solutions based on 1.5ml per 100l rule.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I've read that Hans Werner Balling recommends 185 ml of A and K per gallon of two- part and this amount matches there All For Reef product.

Yet the BRS recommendation is less. For those of you who add A and K to your two part, how much are you adding? I just upped mine to 160 ml due to a recent ICP test.

And is anyone dosing A and K automatically on a doser to eliminate the connection to your two-part dosing?

TM has a factor of 2 range built into their dosing recommendations.

 

[Pod_01]

I've read that Hans Werner Balling recommends 185 ml of A and K per gallon of two- part and this amount matches there All For Reef product.

Yet the BRS recommendation is less. For those of you who add A and K to your two part, how much are you adding? I just upped mine to 160 ml due to a recent ICP test.

And is anyone dosing A and K automatically on a doser to eliminate the connection to your two-part dosing?

Here you go, to get same ratio as AFR:

When using Original Balling with K+ and A- Elements, prepare Part A (calcium) for one liter to 950 ml solution and add 50 ml K+ Elements. Then prepare Part B (alkalinity) for one liter to 950 ml solution and add 50 ml A- Elements.

These are the same proportions as in All-For-Reef, just applied to Original Balling. :)

Hope that helps or perhaps :beaming-face-with-smiling-eyes: confuses it further.

When I used TM Original Balling I used 30ml and that worked out to about 1.25ml per 100l.

 

[spsick]

I am adding 80ml of each to their respective BRS 2 part on my heavy sps system and ICP always comes back good except low strontium.

 

[bradreef]

I add different amount based on what I want to dose daily and what I'm dosing of each part.

Example
Frag tank
49 ml daily of alk
32 ml daily of cal

So I added less to my alk as I only wanted 3 ml of each part dosed.
Alk. Roughly 1/15 of 1000 ml( dosing container size)

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

There’s nothing magic about any particular dose being “best”.

 

[rtparty]

Before shutting down my 250, I was adding 330ml of A and K per gallon of 2 part

 

[CHSUB]

I added 145 ml per gallon of 2 part. However that was based on the amount of trace I wanted to add daily based on 2 part usage daily.