Kalkwasser and the Balling method?

[Johan Thelander]

Could there be any problems using theese both methods at the same time? I see a great advantage in using the kalkwasser, but I still need to add more Ca to maintain reasonable values.

Not. The Balling method uses CaCl2, NaHCO3 and NaCl-free seasalt (to correct the ionic-balance).

Best regards
Johan Thelander

 

[Anonymous]

Welcome to reefs.org, Johan. I can't answer your question, but will give your message a bump.

You may wish to contact Randy Holmes-Farley directly, as well.

 

[randy holmes-farley]

Those methods would be fine to combine, though in general I prefer the balanced methods of calcium and alkalinity supplementation.

 

[andy-hipkiss]

Randy,

FWIW , the Balling method is balanced .. depending on the aquarist's ability to measure out CaCl2 and NaHCO3 of course.

 

[Johan Thelander]

And you would naturally need to add some NaCl-free supplemental salt (I use Tropic Marin Pro-Special Mineral) in the right amount. You can also add MgCl2(6H20) and MgSO4(7H2O) in the right amounts to keep the Mg-level constant. Requires some calculating to get the right balance.

I guess a decent calcium-reactor is what Randy referred to, that will work fine as long as you do not get too much CO2 out into the tank..... 8O

I am now using the Tunze Calciumdispenser to add kalkwasser, CaCl2 and NaHCO3 I add with two dosing pumps. The supplemental salt I add manually a few times a week, MgCl26H2O I add once a week manually (you can dissolve the MgCl2 with CaCl2 if you want to). It looks fine so far, the current readings are pH 8.0, kH 8, Ca 425 ppm, Mg 1450 ppm

Best regards
Johan, Sweden

 

[randy holmes-farley]

If aquarists almost always use a fixed proportion of the two in that method, then that's a fine way to go. If folks constantly tinker with the amounts of the two aditives then I wouldn't call it balanced.

I guess a decent calcium-reactor is what Randy referred to, that will work fine as long as you do not get too much CO2 out into the tank.....

I was actually referring to any balanced method: CaCO3/CO2 reactors, limewater, the two part additives, Tropic Marin's Biocalcium, Salifert's All in One, etc. I summarize the pros and cons of them in this article:

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm

 

[andy-hipkiss]

Randy,

The "Balling" (Balling is the guy's name from Germany) method utilises NaCl free salt (so IO without the salt if you will) and then to make up the "missing" Na and Cl one can use either NaHCO3 and either CaCl2 or MgCl2 (or both) such that Na and Cl more mirror NSW. If you like, it is sort of a variation on the two-parters.

It does require reasonably accurate measure of the 3 dry mixes though.

 

[randy holmes-farley]

Thanks, Andy.

 

[Johan Thelander]

And you will ofcourse need to keep a check on the salinity since it will slowly increase with this method..

Best regards
Johan