???????about eco products

lowrider · Post by **lowrider** » Sun Jun 08, 2008 7:23 pm

have any of you used this Balling Method 3 Part Solution and if so can yall give some info about it thanx from a newbie

Amphiprion · Post by **Amphiprion** » Sun Jun 08, 2008 8:23 pm

Trying to remember precisely what it is. If I am not mistaken, it is keeping calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium very elevated adding 3 separate solutions and then adding an NaCl free salt mixture... seems too involved to me. I just use Randy's 3 part system. All ions are balanced in proper ratios and all you have to do is dose them and do water changes when necessary. Really, it isn't all that different, minus the sodium chloride free trace elements, which aren't necessarily beneficial.

I'd just use the DIY 3 part and dose accordingly. I dose them via a dosing pump...

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2006- ... dex.php#10

Edit: Ignore the part about elevated levels--it seems I was mixing up the Blu Coral method and the Balling method. Also, I just noticed that EcoSystem Aquarium kinda just made their own similar commercial product. In any case, it would benefit you more and would be (much much) cheaper to make your own. In all, it is actually cheaper in the long run than even a calcium reactor...

lowrider · Post by **lowrider** » Sun Jun 08, 2008 11:46 pm

this stuff is going to replace tech cb /teck i /stronium/ but not sure guess i need to read up

Amphiprion · Post by **Amphiprion** » Sun Jun 08, 2008 11:55 pm

Well, any of them can actually replace each other. I just use Randy's recipe, since it is dirt cheap, makes as much as you want, and gets all of it accomplished. I'm not saying the commercial supplements like Tech CB, B-Ionic, C-Balance, etc. etc. aren't good--they are. It is just that this was a cheaper and better alternative for me. I simply make 2.5 gallons' worth and let it dose for a couple of months and I'm set. Because of that, I haven't had to buy supplements in years, leaving most of my money to go toward more "important" things. BTW, I haven't dosed things like strontium and iodine in about 6-7 years. I just add a calcium/alkalinity/magnesium supplement and do water changes. The only issue now is that I don't have anything left to really grow

lowrider · Post by **lowrider** » Mon Jun 09, 2008 12:03 am

hey andrew do yall have any 130 watts or higher light s i have a 29 gal with a few corals in it need some more lights but no canopy

Amphiprion · Post by **Amphiprion** » Mon Jun 09, 2008 12:19 am

We probably have something. Give Beav a call tomorrow after 2 and see if there aren't any compact fixtures lying around. Even better, he could set you up with a decent T5 fixture. Or, if you'd like, we can always order something for you. Take a look at your options before you go out and buy something. That will save you time, money and headaches in the future.