Tropic Marin Part C and Elements

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Ok so I wouldn't have to worry about the concentration of the soda ash or chloride being stronger with the trace replacing 12 ounces of what would usually be traditional rodi?

You can use 12 oz less water, or you can add the extra 12 ounces to both parts, and then will just be dosing a bit more of each part each day (which you will determine by alk testing, not calculating every time).

 

[merfury1989]

These trace element mixes aren't really part of the original balling system, even though they are advertised together by now. The unbalanced nature of Balling, and the fact that it won't be able to maintain certain elements makes it a bit "outdated". They probably added Elements K+ and A- to fix this, but I simply don't know for sure. On the product pages you can calculate recommend amounts, which is like 1 - 2mL per 100L (or 0.95 - 1.89mL per 25gal) daily:
https://www.tropic-marin-smartinfo.com/k-elements

A- Elements | Produktinformationen

www.tropic-marin-smartinfo.com

If you don't want to mess with too many solutions, I would just use up what you have and switch to another system. Balling works fine and you can even get away without water changes for quite some time, but dosing 3-5 solutions for a system that can't be used in a balanced way in your tank is a bit much.

Are you saying Balling in general has issue or Tropic Marin Balling?

Also what other system are you suggesting if not Balling? And how is it better?


For Tropic Marin Balling:
How much do Part A and Part B raise calcium and alkalinity in a tank? Specifically, what increase in calcium and alkalinity results from adding 10 mL of each solution per 100 L of water?

 

[EnterName]

These trace element mixes aren't really part of the original balling system, even though they are advertised together by now. The unbalanced nature of Balling, and the fact that it won't be able to maintain certain elements makes it a bit "outdated". They probably added Elements K+ and A- to fix this, but I simply don't know for sure. On the product pages you can calculate recommend amounts, which is like 1 - 2mL per 100L (or 0.95 - 1.89mL per 25gal) daily:
https://www.tropic-marin-smartinfo.com/k-elements

A- Elements | Produktinformationen

www.tropic-marin-smartinfo.com

If you don't want to mess with too many solutions, I would just use up what you have and switch to another system. Balling works fine and you can even get away without water changes for quite some time, but dosing 3-5 solutions for a system that can't be used in a balanced way in your tank is a bit much.

Are you saying Balling in general has issue or Tropic Marin Balling?

Also what other system are you suggesting if not Balling? And how is it better?


For Tropic Marin Balling:
How much do Part A and Part B raise calcium and alkalinity in a tank? Specifically, what increase in calcium and alkalinity results from adding 10 mL of each solution per 100 L of water?

Balling is fine (I have been using it myself for years even without water changes and not always dosing equal amounts). But yes the inventor Hans Werner Balling himself acknowledges that this issue exists and that water changes are required to prevent issues in the long run. This isn't unique to Tropic Marin, it's an issue of the used chemicals and the underlying chemical reaction.

However, as Randy pointed out, if/when an ion imbalance actually occurs or becomes an issue seems to be a really complicated topic. If you follow the conversation between Randy and me in this thread, you will see why. So maybe it isn't that big of a deal in the end.

To verify you really have more demand for alkalinity than for calcium, I recommend reading Randy's article: https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/when-do-calcium-and-alkalinity-demand-not-exactly-balance.954/


Regarding the Balling Components (from Tropic Marin):
Component A contains 20,000mg/L Calcium, so adding 10mL is equal to adding 200mg Ca to the system. For 100L this would be 2mg/L.

Component B contains 2800°dH/L, so adding 10mL is equal to adding 28°dH. For 100L this would be 0.28°dH/L (5ppm CaCO3)

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

If, for some reason, an aquarium has an imbalance in alk and calcium demand, there no better way to add calcium and alk than a multipart system (Balling, DIY, other commercial, etc.) that you can tweak to deal with it.

 

[merfury1989]

If, for some reason, an aquarium has an imbalance in alk and calcium demand, there no better way to add calcium and alk than a multipart system (Balling, DIY, other commercial, etc.) that you can tweak to deal with it.

When it comes to Balling, would you suggest Tropic Marin, Fauna Marin, or Aquaforest?

 

[KStatefan]

When it comes to Balling, would you suggest Tropic Marin, Fauna Marin, or Aquaforest?

I would suggest the DIY balling and use the ALk component that meets your needs the best.

DIY Balling Method Recipe

The Balling DIY supplement recipe utilize a 1:1:1 dosing ratio to maintain proper alkalinity. For instance, if you require 50 mL of the alkalinity solution, you should also add 50 mL of Calcium and Balling. Alkalinity (Choose One) : Option 1: Soda Ash Add 375 g soda ash to enough RO/DI to...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

When it comes to Balling, would you suggest Tropic Marin, Fauna Marin, or Aquaforest?

As noted above by KState, I too would use a DIY.

if I wanted to go commercial, I'd use ESV and add trace elements to it.