Another Kalk vs question

[Unstoppable algae!]

My question is without bringing up cost what does everybody think is more important

Use Kalk and add mag when needed and benefiting from PH boost.

Or going with a trace element heavy 2 or 3 part such as Nyos, AF or tropical Marin Balling method

I also try for weekly water changes if nutrients are not to low, mentioned because I know that should bump up traces

I will icp in the future but that does not fit me yet

Anybody happy with their dosing please chime in, thanks!

 

[Unstoppable algae!]

Forgot to mention, I’m LPS low and acros high up.
Im sure this questions come up several times, I’m basically wondering who thinks ph trumps adding trace elements every dose
Also when Kalk can’t handle is I know I can do both

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I used kalk for 20 years on my old tank, and would again, except for current reservoir space limitations.

I currently use AFR and dose some extra trace elements.

Why not pick kalk and use a trace element additive such as Tropic Marin A and K?

Or pick a two part system that uses hydroxide for the alk part, giving you the benefits of a two part and higher pH.

This has more:

Pros and Cons of Alkalinity and Calcium Dosing Methods

Pros and Cons of Alkalinity and Calcium Dosing Methods How to decide which is best for you and your aquarium. By Randy Holmes-Farley Supplementing calcium and alkalinity is one of the most important chemistry requirements for most reef...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Unstoppable algae!]

I used kalk for 20 years on my old tank, and would again, except for current reservoir space limitations.

I currently use AFR and dose some extra trace elements.

Why not pick kalk and use a trace element additive such as Tropic Marin A and K?

Or pick a two part system that uses hydroxide for the alk part, giving you the benefits of a two part and higher pH.

This has more:

Pros and Cons of Alkalinity and Calcium Dosing Methods

Pros and Cons of Alkalinity and Calcium Dosing Methods How to decide which is best for you and your aquarium. By Randy Holmes-Farley Supplementing calcium and alkalinity is one of the most important chemistry requirements for most reef...

www.reef2reef.com

Thank you! I previously did Kalk with A & K (also had red seas version) I only had trouble finding a dose calculator lol

I also don’t mind water changes, I feel like that may be the boost I need until everything grows in more

I like the simplicity of Kalk and my tank looked good, but grass is always greener

I may mimic Jake Adams Monti and sps tank video, he did Kalk Acro power and maybe 1 more thing.

Thanks again, I will check out the link

 

[rishma]

So many good options, I’ve used nearly all of them. My current tank uses Kalk and AFR. I keep using kalk because I have in every tank for decades but I’m not 100% sure that I’ll use it in my next tank. That would be a first.

AFR is so simple, reliable, and results have been good in coral health, growth, and ICP. I prioritize simplicity where I can.

 

[mcarroll]

I also try for weekly water changes if nutrients are not to low, mentioned because I know that should bump up traces

I also don’t mind water changes, I feel like that may be the boost I need until everything grows in more

Seems like adding N&P(+whatever else you want) to your water change water might be the way to go.

That way your water changes aren't limited in regularity by N&P levels.

IMO kalk isn't cheap enough to be worth the hassle. The pH boost isn't worth it anyway IMO. And my tanks have always looked fine at their "natural" pH whether dosing Recipe #2, ESV, kalk+vinegar, et al. So...

But if you're in it for the experimentation, try 'em all! :) (And definitely check out Randy's "Pro's and Con's" article!!!)

Like others have said, there are tons of good options...I can't really think of bad ones that you're likely to get a recommendation for. But for what it's worth... ESV is still my all time favorite if budget isn't a worry (tho it's not all that expensive). DIY 2-part (Recipe #2) is probably next favorite because of what a money saver it can be and how simple it is.

 

[Unstoppable algae!]

So many good options, I’ve used nearly all of them. My current tank uses Kalk and AFR. I keep using kalk because I have in every tank for decades but I’m not 100% sure that I’ll use it in my next tank. That would be a first.

AFR is so simple, reliable, and results have been good in coral health, growth, and ICP. I prioritize simplicity where I can.

Yes! I ventured down similar questions to mine and everybody using AFR has been real happy also showing sps growth (no Kalk)
I just don’t want to worry about a pump locking up (dosing Kalk) buy a specific or expansive dosing pump or reactor yet..
I actually have AFR powder already

 

[Unstoppable algae!]

Seems like adding N&P(+whatever else you want) to your water change water might be the way to go.

That way your water changes aren't limited in regularity by N&P levels.

IMO kalk isn't cheap enough to be worth the hassle. The pH boost isn't worth it anyway IMO. And my tanks have always looked fine at their "natural" pH whether dosing Recipe #2, ESV, kalk+vinegar, et al. So...

But if you're in it for the experimentation, try 'em all! :) (And definitely check out Randy's "Pro's and Con's" article!!!)

Like others have said, there are tons of good options...I can't really think of bad ones that you're likely to get a recommendation for. But for what it's worth... ESV is still my all time favorite if budget isn't a worry (tho it's not all that expensive). DIY 2-part (Recipe #2) is probably next favorite because of what a money saver it can be and how simple it is.

True, not being worth it. I’m just not ready to buy an expansive “drip” dosing pump and don’t want to worry about my tunze pump locking up if I add to ato.

What made me bring this up is before moving I dosed dry tropic Marin and was surprised how awesome the tank was doing, sps started growing much faster and remember saying I will only do se this, lol and didn’t on current build

But that has had me thinking. Also I use ESV and am happy with it, PH has been great also. Thanks

 

[Kodski]

I've been running Kalk for a while now. I switched from a 2-part BRS system with no trace elements. When I restarted my tank I decided I wanted the PH benefits from Kalk. I also looked at anecdotes from other reefers that when they dosed Kalk, they saw an explosion of coraline algae. To me, this meant there had to be other benefits from Kalk hidden somewhere. In short, I love Kalk and its benefits. I think its easy, as I just mixed enough for a few days into a container and have it dose every hour through my doser. This way I get a constant PH boost and my refugium boosts my PH further at night.

Once my Kalk dosing became not enough, I decided to use AFR. I like it, and it worked will in combination with the Kalk, but it got pricey. I have since went back to 2-part to supplement my Kalk. Now as a note, I can easily dose a lot more Kalk each day, but I don't have a place for a container large enough and I don't want to use my ATO to dose it. I have also since began to dose Tropic Marin A and K for trace elements. So far it works. In fact, it all does when implemented correctly.

I think it just comes down to what you're looking for out of your dosing regimen.

 

[Charley75]

I used kalk for 20 years on my old tank, and would again, except for current reservoir space limitations.

I currently use AFR and dose some extra trace elements.

Why not pick kalk and use a trace element additive such as Tropic Marin A and K?

Or pick a two part system that uses hydroxide for the alk part, giving you the benefits of a two part and higher pH.

This has more:

Pros and Cons of Alkalinity and Calcium Dosing Methods

Pros and Cons of Alkalinity and Calcium Dosing Methods How to decide which is best for you and your aquarium. By Randy Holmes-Farley Supplementing calcium and alkalinity is one of the most important chemistry requirements for most reef...

www.reef2reef.com

Question for you Randy….so I have ran kalk in my ATO for like 20 yrs and NO other supplement. Seeing lots of recommendations to dose Mg or even AFR. I use 50mL vinegar per gallon of RO/DI and 2-3 tsp kalk powder. I mix the powder into the vinegar and then mix into by RODI. Once settled, I pump that into by ATO container. That seem reasonable to you??? And should I be dosing anything else? TY Sir!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Magnesium can decline with kalk only, but it will be slow and water changes may maintain enough.

The procedure seems reasonable.

You may or may not benefit from additional trace elements, such as Tropic Marin A and K.