Bulk Reef Supply Alkalinity/Calcium Supplements (1 Viewer)

[RR-MAN]

Just an FYI-
I ordered some of their 2 part Alkalinity/Calcium/Magnesium Supplement and so far I’m getting very good results after 11/days of usage. My PH is stable at 8.3 daytime and 8.1 at night. I am glad I switched from calcium reactor to BRS 2 part. I even stopped running the kalk reactor for now.

I ordered enough to last me one year and the cost was around $90. The supplement cost was on $64 and rest was all shipping charges.

Their customer service is really great.

 

[tinman]

Just an FYI-
I ordered some of their 2 part Alkalinity/Calcium/Magnesium Supplement and so far I’m getting very good results after 11/days of usage. My PH is stable at 8.3 daytime and 8.1 at night. I am glad I switched from calcium reactor to BRS 2 part. I even stopped running the kalk reactor for now.

I ordered enough to last me one year and the cost was around $90. The supplement cost was on $64 and rest was all shipping charges.

Their customer service is really great.

Why did you switch?

 

[RR-MAN]

Low PH problems with the Calcium Reactor and just got tired of calcium reactor after using it for 6 years.

 

[flipside]

I've been using BRS 2 Part Recipe 1 for some time now and have never had a problem keeping my pH, alk, or Ca in check. I do get low readings on my Mg from time to time, but I'm thinking about automating that, too.

Do you have your Mg dosing automated, RR-MAN, or do you just dump it in there like BRS recommends? I'm thinking of getting another peristaltic pump just to dose Mg. I know that's not a big deal but I like steady numbers all the time.

 

[RR-MAN]

I've been using BRS 2 Part Recipe 1 for some time now and have never had a problem keeping my pH, alk, or Ca in check. I do get low readings on my Mg from time to time, but I'm thinking about automating that, too.

Do you have your Mg dosing automated, RR-MAN, or do you just dump it in there like BRS recommends? I'm thinking of getting another peristaltic pump just to dose Mg. I know that's not a big deal but I like steady numbers all the time.

I also use Recipe 1. I'm using a dosing pump even for the Mg. I think it's much easier that way. My memory is bad, sometimes I forget.

Have you noticed that the Mg that BRS supplies is not as potent as Kent Tech M? I just tested my Mg using Salifert and it's reading 1185 so I started dosing 100 ml per day for a week and then I will test again and adjust. My DKH is stable at 8.5 and Calcium at 440.

 

[flipside]

Yuppp! I have noticed that, big time. I actually keep extra Tech M around... just in case.

Heck, I just dump 20oz in there every few weeks to keep my Mg up around 1300. I barely dip below 1200, but you're right... remembering to do it is just something else I'd like "not" to do.

How do you keep the Mg in the gallon jug from settling at the bottom? Do you run an air pump in there, or something? That's the only thing I'm worried about when it comes to dosing the stuff BRS supplies. I mixed up a bunch when I first started, and by the time it was time to dose more, I had to shake it up pretty good. I was thinking about using one of the jugs as a reactor with a timed maxijet on it... I dunno...

 

[RR-MAN]

Since BRS Mg came with the package I’m going to use it till it runs out and then go to Tech M.

How much do you mix/more than a gallon? I see some stuff settling in the bottom of the jug but not much. I do shake the jug once in a while.

 

[flipside]

I just do mix one gallon at a time in those containers they provide. I have another "kit" coming so I can premix stuff before hand, though. I think the Mg supplement they provide would be just fine if I could dose it, but I'm only worried about the stuff that settles at the bottom. I'm sure, after some time, it will clog the dosing pump. That's why I'm considering doing some "booty fab" to create a stirrer for it. I'll work on it when my other package gets here and post what it did. I may have to use a buddy to create something out of acrylic... just for strength's concern.

Another thing I've considered is getting that Bubble Magus dosing pump system. It's expandable up to 11 pumps and pretty cheap in price. Considering all the reviews I've read on them, they might not be a bad idea... not to mention "space saving" compared to the honkin' BRS pumps!

 

[RR-MAN]

I know what you mean by clogging the dosing pumps.

Yeah I read many good reviews on bubble magus dosing pumps. I'm a huge fan, I have a BM200 skimmer which works incredibly well.

 

[emixa]

do any of you guys run an APEX controller with your dosing?

 

[DonnieKim]

Hey RR, what is Recipe 1?
I've been out a while so I'm trying to get up to speed on products and techniques etc.

Thanks
Donnie

 

[emixa]

its a combo provided by BRS for their 2-part dosing system. They have a receipe 1 and 2. the 1 raises your alkalinity and the 2 is used to drop it a little.

sorry, but i know that you asked RR. i just thought that i would chime in real quick. RR will probably have more extensive knowledge.

 

[DonnieKim]

its a combo provided by BRS for their 2-part dosing system. They have a receipe 1 and 2. the 1 raises your alkalinity and the 2 is used to drop it a little.

sorry, but i know that you asked RR. i just thought that i would chime in real quick. RR will probably have more extensive knowledge.

No Prob!
Appreciate it!

 

[merkurmaniac]

I was testing my magnesium, and I found it again to be very low. It has always been chronically low in my system, and I used a calcualtor one time and it seemed like the result was going to be several bottles of Tehc-M for my 34 gal system. It seems Nuts, but my MG always seems to test low.

I figured that ordering the BRS magnesium would be cheaper. I am dosing a two part already and would be fine with adding a powdered mag to the mix.

So you are saying that the BRS stuff seems less concentrated/effective than the Liquid ? I would have guessed the other way around.

 

[Jamie9169]

I use the BRS two part as well. In fact I bought the two BRS dosing pumps I have from RR-Man last year, or was it the year before last? Anyway it is a very stable and cost efficient method in my opinion. I fill the clear one gallon jugs and forget about it. Thank you for those pumps John, sorry you had to turn around and buy more.

 

[flipside]

That's exactly what John (RR-MAN) and I are saying... The BRS Mg is weak for some reason. The other supplements are fine.

If you want to get more bang for your buck, this Mg (that comes in the kit) isn't the best. I was using Kent's stuff, but now I use AV Ions to help supplement my Mg needs. That part is really you preference, though (I'm impartial, personally)...

 

[Ahab1974]

BRS Recipe 1/2

A correction on an earlier post.

Recipe 1 will raise pH and Recipe 2 will lower pH.

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/instructions/two-part-instructions