Week 31: Simple 2 part calcium & alkalinity dosing | 52 Weeks of Reefing

This week we're diving deeper into two part than ever before! Two part is by far the easiest to understand of all the methods! We'll cover the most popular brands of calcium and alkalinity as well as various methods for dosing.
#BRS160
www.bulkreefsup...
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The purpose and content of this video is to provide general information regarding the products and their applications as presented in the video. Aquatic sales solutions, inc. And its officers, directors, employees and agents disclaim all express or implied warranties, in any way, related to the products and their application as presented in this video, make no representation or warranty regarding the products and the application as presented in this video and shall not be liable for any direct or indirect losses or damages of any type, including but not limited to punitive damages, or from personal injury or death resulting from or in any manner related to the video, and the products in and contents of the video. The viewer expressly agrees that aquatic sales solutions, inc. And its officers, directors, employees and agents shall not be liable for any damages or losses related to the products in and content of the video and hereby agrees to hold the foregoing harmless from any such losses or damages.

[@istandwithisreal8883]

I recently started buying from Bulk reef supplies Best choice of my reefing life 100% recommend it for anyone who has any reef tank, and fish tank

[@eldridgehenry2]

chemistry class all over again. thanks brs team

[@Captluke08]

Thank you, I learn something new every time I tune in!

[@deansmith2124]

I'm learning so much from these videos, thanks so much.

[@James-zv8gd]

Such an amazing channel. My main resource on reefing. Great presenter.

[@1965WHYTE]

Great video Ryan..I have recently switched to your dosing pumps and 2 part, and they work magnificently with my reefkeeper multitimer function. Once I get things dialed in I'll be able to leave for a week or so on vacation.

[@windwaterwaves]

Been using this solution for years. Awesome!

[@kerryf1189]

Great video as always! Agree with you Ryan...DOS pumps are a no-brainer if you have an Apex. I use two: one for Calc and Alk, the other for auto water change...because I am lazy :)

[@olliesshop]

I absolutely love these videos! They always seem to focus on a topic that I'm working on. Great video production too. Keep up the good work. :)

[@tommyg4484]

another awesome training! THANX.

[@LookOutToyStore]

Thank you so Much for sharing your Knowledge!

[@FishOfHex]

I love this stuff its the only thing i use. Great Video!

[@tsurro8086]

im using the two little fishes A&B, which also include trace elements, but I had to bring the jugs inside because of the colder temps in my garage, if not I was getting large chunks of stuff floating inside, I did use EVS before same area, no chunks in cold weather, also have alittle left of my BRS two part, still clear also!!

[@angieharrison5586]

Great video, thank you!!!!

[@johanngarcia7290]

good good gooddddd video ryan, thanks a lot for sharing!!!!!

[@DillondeVoor]

I've been out of the hobby for a few years (first money issues, then marriage, then a baby... in that order at least ;) but I used to have a nano tank running on the classic Balling method. Does anyone still use that anymore? Including the 3rd part, NaCl free salt, seems like more stability for hardly any effort. Only needs a 3-channel dosing pump instead. Awesome series by the way! Started watching them on Monday and already this far. I can't imagine a faster way to get back into the hobby after a few years and especially getting up-to-date with current knowledge. Thanks! Keep up the good work :D

[@DillondeVoor]

Yeah, I noticed the similarities and then you did mention the Balling light method from Fauna Marin. I checked it out and I guess the light part means it doesn't have the NaCl free salt component.

[@NYCityCichlids]

Good info from BRS

[@YZFR6Yammie]

yesssss new episode

[@seregus6724]

You should try the most advanced Calcium Reactor, which called Dastaco. Where is ZERO maintenance. No bubble count. Just change media as it's disolves and adjust it's speed to your levels with ONE knob ;-) Hope you'll mention it in your "review" of calcium reactors. PS: Also it has an alarm for water/CO2. Never failed for about 3 years.

[@Forgetii]

Excellent video as always. I always seem to find at minimum a few take-a-way tidbits that I did not know.., most cases quite a few tidbits, I might add. The only thing I noticed was you seem to have breezed by the testing for trace elements in the Red Sea Coral Pro Colors. I know exact testing is far beyond the current capabilities of Hobbyist test kits, but they do try to use a baseline test element which corresponds to the others in each of the Coral Colors additives. Not exactly precise but at least it's better than not testing at all and I am in the group which believes you shouldn't dose if you haven't tested. I sent a message about putting all this information into one application for future reference by all reefers, Newbies and Seasoned Reefers. I hope this is a doable project, I for one would greatly enjoy being able to access this information easily and store it for future reference. Thanks Again!

[@LetsGoRavens]

When are you guys going to do an update video on everyone's office (cubicle) tanks. I liked the first video

[@LetsGoRavens]

+BulkReefSupplyCom understood

[@CrustaceonsReef]

5:58 - I highly recommend NOT doing a 75% water change, lol. Yikes!

[@stonedmegatron3459]

I was going to go with the calcium reactor but I think after some long debating I'm going to step up to the two part from the Kalkwasser. Great video. Will need to see what the community thinks.

[@stonedmegatron3459]

I really hope you guys select Neptune systems for the controller. I do agree, you should have started with the controller after the sump set up so the rest of the system could have been built around saving money. Nonetheless I don't doubt any of the decisions BRS made. I can tell that you guys are in it for the people who love the hobby and pets.

[@flynnpaul26]

If you use a heat gun you can remove the curl from the plastic tubing.

[@flynnpaul26]

Not slightly, if done correctly. If this is done with hot steam (I work in the chemical industry and often did this in a manufacturing setting) it will completely remove all curl and the tube resets as a wet noodle to any form Try is for yourself with the cheap wood bending steam generator. these are sold at Rockler for $70.

[@Reject06]

aaaaaw yeah! next week is my turn! :D

[@timothymayes520]

I guess that I'm second! I better type quick. Does BRS still think that they are going to make this a 52 week series or will there be many more than 52 episodes/weeks? I wouldn't mind if they continued this series for more than 52 episodes/weeks. I would personally like it if they took a break from the BRS 160 for a month or so and look at some of the office tanks and previous youtube tank series such as the clown harem tank. I would also love to hear a voice every once a while which isn't Ryen's!

[@timothymayes520]

+BulkReefSupplyCom Thank you for considering my opinion!

[@tomquartermain3497]

I love your video's, when are you gonna open up or start shipping to the uk?

[@CJSAQUARIUMS]

will using kalk.. and weekly/biweekly water changes take care of trace elements? Or should i start looking into additives.. I like my tank simple.. but after this vid im wondering how long i can have success with just water changes...

[@CJSAQUARIUMS]

+BulkReefSupplyCom thanks ... Would be great if u checked out my tank. I think you would really be impressed wit what kalk has done 👍🏾

[@wenner0101]

6:03 "More or less bulk 2 part is similar to spending a few bucks on flour, baking soda, and salt" I see what you did there... Sodium Bicarbonate... is... baking soda... Calcium Chloride.... is... a salt...

[@danieldonnelly7828]

you said that two part is raising the salinity, but in another video you said that the protien skimmer is technically removing saltwater. so my question is does is even out.

[@joseCalderon1976]

How about if you have some nano tanks like my 10g and 28g cubes? It would take me quite a while before I use a jug, so when should I dose the magnesium?

[@karennation3580]

If my dkh is down 2 numbers like 7 and want to go to 9 should I use soda ash or bicarb. On the how to dose 2 part here is no mention if bicarb but just adding 2 doses maybe daily of soda ash and the confusing thing is I am suppose to leave it for 48 hours to see what it consumes. On a lot of other how tos they say to test daily before to figure what it consumes. I am glad you didn't say that because I have let it get so low from testing for weeks on end because it varied so much I though eventually it would level out and not consume any, since it started changing after adding to to many frags at once and the consumption was less and less as it got used to the additions. Tank is only 7 months old. how many dkh can I up with bicarb?

[@dpstrand]

Can I add those balling light trace elements to the BRS calcium and alkalinity? I like the convenience of combining them and I probably don't have the absolute best water change regimen, so perhaps I should be adding some trace elements.

[@johnkennedy9078]

BulkReefSupplyCom will using purple up with these supplements affect anything in a reef negatively? ty

[@nickietigg]

im new to reefing and so far kalkwasser sounds a easy way to keep things stable. if my tank is mainly soft and lps could i get away with just kalkwasser rather than dosing 2 part? thanks

[@wilberlemus1654]

Hello, how are you. I use ESV calcium and alkalinity but I want to change to the BRS my question is is the same amount no difference between one and the other thank you...

[@cidneywilliams6304]

should I dose before or after feeding my fish?

[@NaturalViolence2]

I'm surprised that you didn't go over your sodium bicarbonate as an alternative to sodium carbonate to reduce precipitation. Also where did you get those bucket lids?

[@NaturalViolence2]

Yes but where did you get the buckets/bucket lids from for those products? I really like them but I'm not going to buy 5 gallons worth of chemicals just to get my hands on one. If I could order them directly that would be great. As for the bicarbonate vs carbonate debate I know I am the exception to the rule. NaCO3 is usually better but since you sell NA(HCO3)2 as well there clearly are people who find it useful. In my case I had a naturally high PH in my last tank due to a combination of kalk top off and the tank being in the same room as my hydroponics setup (which sucks the CO2 out of the air). As a result I was having serious precipitation issues with the sodium carbonate dosing even with a slow drip. Switching to bicarbonate fixed it. Ideally they should be combined in NSW ratios to prevent any PH shift at all but that's too much work for me. My new tank thankfully does not have this issue so I've switched back to sodium carbonate without issue.

[@andrewhales9771]

At 5:59 You guys say rely on a high quality salt. Would be Instant Ocean Reef Crystals be considered a high quality salt? If not do you have any suggestions?

[@zacjordan1845]

Woot!

[@kuba4460]

Ryan what are the dimensions on your office reef savvy tank?

[@jchurchill75]

Ok well what if CA doesn’t drop daily but Alk does?? This is something I can’t figure out ( how to stop alk swings)

[@BRStv]

Most tanks will get dosed in a 1:1 ratio with BRS two part, but you can dose alk only if you need to.

[@christophermcmullen5693]

Just wondering about how much this build is running as far as cost so far. Maybe leave the tank itself off.

[@christophermcmullen5693]

thank you. I watch your videos offten. even before the 160. I dont have a sw tank yet but want to one day.

[@BillyPipes]

👍👍👍

[@jamesbobbinson]

I see you are using two dosing pumps for calcium and alkalinity but how are you dosing the Magnesium?

[@jamesbobbinson]

Cheers for the quick reply, I can now aim for a a dual dosing pump instead of three. Money saved :-)

[@raulmejiajr]

What's the difference between your 2 part and mecoral 2 part? They claim to be pharmaceutical grade also

[@MattWeber]

+Raul Mejia Jr Nothing but price point, possibly not even its point of origin. almost all the manufacturers use the same suppliers for chemicals like this. just different name on the package and different prices they manage to get the supply for.

[@guapodidier2099]

ok i got it. can u tell me what is the diference ..? i use Red sea reef fundation B as my source of alk, what i want to know is... is the seem as bicarbonate..??? or i need to use that too.??

[@stijntaelman]

Ryan, What is your opinion on larger tanks (400-500g for example), would your personal choice still be 2 part, or would you go with calcium reactor for such a setup. I'm leaning toward ca.reactor but fear low pH...

[@stijntaelman]

+BulkReefSupplyCom thank you for your thorough explanation, i really appreciate it. It is indeed stated that in the long run ca rx are cheaper than 2part, but of course if you use the brs 2part, the break even time increases a lot. But I must admit part of my decision will be the cool factor 😀

[@真痴线]

不知不觉我的KH值上到了13，滴定设备已停用，现在草皮基本不开！除了换水，请问我可以用什么方法去改善？

[@insectkiller2005]

Would this not cause the system to slowly dilute itself of everything else even with doing 10% water changes per week ?

[@insectkiller2005]

BulkReefSupplyCom Hi thanks for the explanation but what about trace elements would 10% a week keep up with trace or would it be better to dose something like fauna with trace added ?

[@nonfunctionalslackfill]

Why does it say gullible in the description?

[@andrewhales9771]

+CXK03 I looked...

[@Thorin193]

Currently I use BRS dosing pumps for dosing my 2 part. They are controlled by my Apex. I am always concerned that the Apex outlet may fail and get stuck on (which has happened before but luckily it wasn't the two part outlet). I would get an alarm about high PH if this happened but I am not always close enough to home that I would be able to do something before a catastrophe would happen. Do you have any recommendations on how I could add some redundancy into the system

[@Thorin193]

+BulkReefSupplyCom Thanks for the response. That's how my program is setup now. :) My concern was failure of the energy bar outlet. I have had outlets fail on my energy bars before and if that happens the program can not change the outlet. The timer idea would work but I don't dose all of my Alk at one time. It is slowly added over multiple intervals throughout the night.

[@mcdadcoleman]

How do you choose between using Kalkwasser or this two part solution?

[@mcdadcoleman]

Awesome, thank you for the help and advice!

[@johanngarcia7290]

hey ryan for a dosing container we need make a extra hole, for the air or something???

[@johanngarcia7290]

+BulkReefSupplyCom thanks ryan...good point, thanks my friend !!!!!

[@Blackbookproduct10ns]

Hey brs. I use your 2 part dosers and the instructions say to calibrate them to see exactly how much liquid it dispenses. Mine dispense approx 1.8 ml per minute instead of 1.1 as advertised. Is this variable normal from pump to pump?

[@chrisauer4204]

I tested mine. It was slightly different. The diameter of the rubber and other pieces are bound to have slight variations. So long as you test first, and calibrate accordingly it should not matter.

[@hyperrider95]

I have a question regarding my alk doser. I always seem to have a problem with the output of my alk line calcifying up and clogging the line preventing any more alk from going into my tank. does anybody know how to stop this calcification?

[@hyperrider95]

+BulkReefSupplyCom it is in my return chamber right next to my calcium line. it is out of my water and not near salt spray. I'll try moving a ways away from my calcium line. thanks.

[@brandonmeade8999]

are you shipping to th uk yet

[@brandonmeade8999]

Get a move on man 😄😄

[@edwardthayer9386]

Willy Nilly! LOL

[@opethmike]

hehehehe, '420'

[@alexvids9232]

i cant stand those fake purple rocks! nasty

[@Berbs73]

You got to know when to dose.. Know when to buffer... When to do a water change... And it's never fun... You never depend on your neighbor... When you're on vacation. You'll be finding another hobby, When the crash is done.