You can quote me on that.

Jon-
That is excellent information.  Are you sure on those figures and may I quote you on them?

Adam

If we just look at the usage cost, here's what I come up with:

B-ionic (@$35 per 2 gallons - mail order pricing): $3.31 per 1000 meq of alkalinity

Kalkwasser (using cheap pickling lime):  $0.15 - $0.35 per 1000 meq

Calcium reactor (figuring $30 in CO2 and $20 in 15 lbs of substrate):  $0.37 per 1000 meq

If your tank is 100 gallons and it consumes 0.4 meq/l per day then you'll go through 55,188 meq of alk per yr. 

Using B-ionic that would cost: $183 per yr

Using kalkwasser:  $8.30 - $19.32 per yr

Using calcium reactor:  $20.42 per yr

So roughly speaking, for this hypothetical tank, you would save about $160 per yr by using either kalk or a reactor.  Or in other words, if you were to spend $400 on a calcium reactor it would pay for itself in about 2.5 yrs.  On the other hand, you can drip kalk without spending hardly anything on set-up so it'll start paying for itself from day one.

jfinch wrote: Kalkwasser is definatly the most difficult additive to dose.  It's unforgiving.  You must watch your pH.  But it's not so difficult that you can't do it. Is it your opinion that Kalkwasser is better than B-ionic, or just more cost effective? Just more cost effective.  If cost was not an issue, I'd throw my kalkwasser and calcium reactor in the garbage and only use B-ionic! Maybe I'll give it a go, but I think I need a surefire dosing method that won't cause ulcers If you're afraid to drip then how 'bout doing what Julian Spung does (and still suggests).  Add 1/8 - 1/2 tsp of kalk to 1 quart of RO water, stir it up and just dump it into your sump.  Do this every day just before going to bed (and maybe even every morning too).

Jon, I am trying to cost justify either a Kalkwasser or Calcium reactor versus the B-Ionic that I am currently using.  Can you help me justify one or the other or both?

TIA

Oh I forgot...

Don't let me or anyone else pressure you into doing something you're not comfortable with.  There are many ways to maintain alk and calcium in a reef tank.  Chose one that you're comfortable with.

Kalkwasser is definatly the most difficult additive to dose.  It's unforgiving.  You must watch your pH.  But it's not so difficult that you can't do it.

Is it your opinion that Kalkwasser is better than B-ionic, or just more cost effective?

Just more cost effective.  If cost was not an issue, I'd throw my kalkwasser and calcium reactor in the garbage and only use B-ionic!

Maybe I'll give it a go, but I think I need a surefire dosing method that
won't cause ulcers

If you're afraid to drip then how 'bout doing what Julian Spung does (and still suggests).  Add 1/8 - 1/2 tsp of kalk to 1 quart of RO water, stir it up and just dump it into your sump.  Do this every day just before going to bed (and maybe even every morning too).

Just looking for my best, most cost effective solution.

Kalkwasser every day with the occasional "boost" from baking soda and CaCl2 when/if needed.