BRS 2-part vs. ESV B-ionic

[tah532]

I have been using BRS 2-part for over a year now and soon will be switching over to ESV. My question is, can I run the same dosage or should I start lower and work up? If so where is a good starting point? I currently dose BRS 2-part at 22ml/day in a 40g mixed reef tank. My Alk is usually around 7.7-8.0 and that seems to be the best range for my corals.

 

[rkpetersen]

I've not used BRS, and a very quick look at their website doesn't give me the info needed. When you mix up their alk solution, what is the concentration in meq/l or meq/ml?

I'm about to switch from Reef Fusion 2 to B-Ionic 1 for alkalinity. RF2 is 4.4 meq/ml, BI1 is 2.8 meq/ml, so I will need 1.57 times as much BI1.

I'm not switching the calcium component right off, but the conversion factor must be the same between balanced two-parts (and this does hold true for Reef Fusion 1 versus B-Ionic 2, i.e. ~ 1.6x.)

 

[redfishbluefish]

Bionic is more concentrated. I'm sure you could use one of the many dosing calculators to put you in the ballpark of the reduced volume you'll need.

 

[rkpetersen]

OK, I just used BRS' reef calculator, and their alk concentration is 1.89 meq/ml. So you would need 0.675 times as much B-Ionic as what you're currently using in BRS. 14.85 ml. More or less. :)

 

[tah532]

OK, I just used BRS' reef calculator, and their alk concentration is 1.89 meq/ml. So you would need 0.675 times as much B-Ionic as what you're currently using in BRS. 14.85 ml. More or less. :)

So, start off around 14ml total to play it safe and adjust from there with testing?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I'm not sure what you mean by playing it safe. I'd drop the dosage from 14.85 to 11.6 mL per day to match the alk and calcium added.

 

[tah532]

My get burnt tips when my Alk goes over in the mid 8's so I don't want it to get too high I would rather stay low and slowly work it up... I run it at 22 ml right now using the BRS my question is what should I start the B ionic at?

 

[tah532]

My get burnt tips when my Alk goes over in the mid 8's so I don't want it to get too high I would rather stay low and slowly work it up... I run it at 22 ml right now using the BRS my question is what should I start the B ionic at?

My SPS....

 

[rkpetersen]

I'm not sure what you mean by playing it safe. I'd drop the dosage from 14.85 to 11.6 mL per day to match the alk and calcium added.

No, I already did the math. His dose is 14.85 ml/day, reduced from his current 22 ml/day.

OP, I'd use 15 and keep an eye on levels, as usual. You won't burn your corals. :)_

 

[tah532]

No, I already did the math. His dose is 14.85 ml/day, reduced from his current 22 ml/day.

OP, I'd use 15 and keep an eye on levels, as usual. You won't burn your corals. :)_

Thanks a lot, Appreciate it!

 

[Rjramos]

ESV’s recommended start dose is 1ml/4 gal aquarium water. That’s about 10ml for your 40. I would start there and test.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

No, I already did the math. His dose is 14.85 ml/day, reduced from his current 22 ml/day.

OP, I'd use 15 and keep an eye on levels, as usual. You won't burn your corals. :)_

Ah, I get it. [emoji3]

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

ESV’s recommended start dose is 1ml/4 gal aquarium water. That’s about 10ml for your 40. I would start there and test.

No need to follow generic starting doses as we already know his daily demand. [emoji3]

We are smarter than that. [emoji23]

 

[rkpetersen]

ESV’s recommended start dose is 1ml/4 gal aquarium water. That’s about 10ml for your 40. I would start there and test.

With this approach, his level will certainly drop, at which point he will have to increase his dosing anyway and also probably need to add a one-time catch up dose for the deficit.

Or, consider my tank, if I did this when switching from one brand of two part to another. With a lot of actively growing stony corals, my alk consumption is around 4X the starting dose. If I 'reset' and followed the instructions as if it were a new tank, my alk would sink like a rock, with much coral-ly unhappiness ensuing. ;Bored (Calcium would also drop, but not as dramatically.)

 

[tah532]

So 15ml it is then...thank you all very much for the info!

 

[Saltyanimals]

Good tips. I’m on brs alk now and plan to switch to something more potent when I run out. I’m doing 120ml daily and my dosing container only hold about 2-3 weeks worth. Trying to reduce frequency to refill alk by using less but more potent alk juice.

 

[rkpetersen]

Seachem Reef Fusion 2 is the most concentrated of the 3. However, I strongly suspect that it is causing persistent and unacceptably high potassium levels in my tank, when used near the maximum recommended dosage. I don't know if the high potassium level is itself causing problems for livestock, but I have had some unexplained deaths. This is the main reason I am switching to B-Ionic 1 this weekend; per the label, it contains no potassium (although I still have to verify this myself.)

I’m on brs alk now and plan to switch to something more potent when I run out. I’m doing 120ml daily and my dosing container only hold about 2-3 weeks worth.

If you switched to Reef Fusion 2, you'd be using 52 ml/day. That's similar to what I'm using for a heavily stocked tank with 1o0 gal of water. How big is your tank and how much bioload? If it's a larger less densely stocked tank, elevated potassium probably won't be an issue.

 

[Saltyanimals]

First time hearing of the potassium from Fusion. I planned on B-Ionic based on various comments on quality.

 

[rkpetersen]

The whole potassium thing is weird; I've posted on the issue in other threads. I've tested everything that goes into my tank (salt, foods, Reef Fusion 1, other products, even frag glue), and only Reef Fusion 2 gives a high potassium level. This issue also didn't occur until I started automatic dosing. With the Seachem product, the alk component has the potassium, the calc component doesn't. With B-Ionic, it's the other way around - potassium included with the calcium, but not with the alk.

And of course, you're right - B-Ionic is considered a quality product.

 

[Saltyanimals]

Was surprise at first to discover the B-Ionic ships in liquid form that is already mixed. Guess it saves a little time, but will take up a little more space on the fish storage to keep gallons of liquids instead of smaller dry mix in a corner. I know I know.. really? lol. I would be interested in a dry mix that I would add water myself, but I understand the key to the potency is that the manufacture is able to super saturate it so to speak where you can't achieve if you were to mix yourself. Pros Cons.