Which 2 part dosing additive is best

[trustyreef]

I just purchased a Neptune apex, dos, and trident. I’m trying to understand which 2 part dose additive is best to use with Red Sea coral pro salt. I currently don’t have any coral just fish only as of right now. I purchased this equipment so I can be prepared when I do add coral. Which additives would you all recommend. I’m about to purchase a Neptune dds also

 

[Doctorgori]

Just a quick IME …

I was using Randys high pH DIY hydroxide mix as my crib is high insulation, closed up and high CO2 ..,AFR 1pt otherwise with measurement latency which is expected with AFR using a Trident…

Personally Id skip the DDR thing; reported as unreliable (unsurprisingly) …I use those cheaper standard acrylic Amazon dosing containers with Neptune optical magnetic cubes…not sure how those LLS would work in caustic 2pt tho

As for what 2pt with which salt is a slight overthink IMO…Not sure you can nail your alk swings to that level of precision where you need to compliment a salt mixes original params with a future 2 part program. heck TBH Ive never bothered checking starting params on salt mix anyway

 

[Mels_Reef]

I just purchased a Neptune apex, dos, and trident. I’m trying to understand which 2 part dose additive is best to use with Red Sea coral pro salt. I currently don’t have any coral just fish only as of right now. I purchased this equipment so I can be prepared when I do add coral. Which additives would you all recommend. I’m about to purchase a Neptune dds also

Be cautious of Red Sea pro. It mixes very high alkalinity at 1.026 salinity. I like the regular Red Sea blue bucket salt because it mixes to a more standard 8.0-8.2 alkalinity.

As for dosing, the standard BRS soda ash(if you need good ph boost) or BRS Sodium Bicarbonate (if you don’t need a strong ph boost) for alkalinity maintanence and the standard BRS Calcium mix are the easiest way to make your own solution at about the best price. I have tried Kalkwasser and the first issue with it is how dirty it is. Kalk ruins everything it touches with a crusty build up. The other problem is you have to dose 10X the amount of it to equal the standard 2 part dose..

 

[exnisstech]

Esv bionic 2 part and AFR are the easiest I have used. But I have only used those and kalk so I don't have much to compare them to.

 

[areefer01]

There is no best. Best is for sports or statistic based junk.

 

[liam]

I like ESV b ionic,it appears to be more expensive than say the brs stuff but it is way more concentrated so actually is not much more expensive.The fact that is more concentrated is crucial to me as I don't have room for huge dosing containers and I am dosing way less bionic compared to diy mix therefore can use smaller containers.It also contains trace elements which is a great plus.

 

[rwreef]

I've used the brs two part with success. However, with a new tank and some corals i believe regular water changes will keep you from needing to dose anything for a long time.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I like ESV b ionic,it appears to be more expensive than say the brs stuff but it is way more concentrated so actually is not much more expensive.The fact that is more concentrated is crucial to me as I don't have room for huge dosing containers and I am dosing way less bionic compared to diy mix therefore can use smaller containers.It also contains trace elements which is a great plus.

To quantify the more concentrated comment, normal ESV B-ionic is 1.48 times as concentrated as my diy, which is what BRS uses.

Don’t misunderstand the trace elements in B-ionic. They are not there to offset any consumption. You need a different additive for that.

I explain that here:

https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/how-a...-calcium-system-works-and-why-it-matters.958/
In the end, the trace elements are the same in ESV as in my diy or BRS when using Tropic Marin Balling Part C as the third part.

 

[ninjamyst]

I secondthat trace minerals in two parts is often not enough when your tank is packed with corals and you will need to add additional trace.

I use ESV bionic and Tropic Marin A and K elements.

I want to stress again the importance of testing your water to decide how much two parts you need and don't go dosing trace until you know you need it.

 

[liam]

To quantify the more concentrated comment, normal ESV B-ionic is 1.48 times as concentrated as my diy, which is what BRS uses.

Don’t misunderstand the trace elements in B-ionic. They are not there to offset any consumption. You need a different additive for that.

I explain that here:

https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/how-a...-calcium-system-works-and-why-it-matters.958/
In the end, the trace elements are the same in ESV as in my diy or BRS when using Tropic Marin Balling Part C as the third part.

Thanks Randy,I wasn't implying that ESV would eliminate the need for any additional trace elements dosing, just that there are some present,unlike the brs stuff, so additional cost for the traces as you mention if you have to add the tropic marin part c

 

[Jamie814]

I like ATI Essentials PRO
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/ati-...MI25rk0P_9iQMVuDgIBR1HeyZREAQYASABEgLZzvD_BwE

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Thanks Randy,I wasn't implying that ESV would eliminate the need for any additional trace elements dosing, just that there are some present,unlike the brs stuff, so additional cost for the traces as you mention if you have to add the tropic marin part c

Sounds good. Happy Reefing. :)