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Markus 
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 Topic: Balling Method
Posted: January 31 2011 at 11:13am |
Has anyone tried the "balling method" for adding calcium, magnesium and other trace elements to their reef tanks? If so, how does it compare to a calcium reactor?
Anybody have any thoughts on this?
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Shane H
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Posted: January 31 2011 at 11:43am |
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Are you referring to the use of dosing pumps to deliver liquid additives to maintain calcium, alkalinity, etc. or are you referring to the use of a kalkwasser delivery system?
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Markus
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Posted: January 31 2011 at 12:31pm |
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The use of 3 separate dosing pumps to deliver very specific amounts of needed chemicals/nutrients.
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tcfab
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Posted: January 31 2011 at 1:20pm |
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I am doing this on my 40 frag system and it works okay. It can be a little difficult to get all your params where you want them but once you do its as reliable as a calcium reactor. I personally prefer a calcium reactor but I already had everything to set up the balling system on my frag tank so I went with that.
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Shane H
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Posted: January 31 2011 at 1:53pm |
OK. Thanks for the clarification.
I suggest you examine the costs associated with each method. Depending on the size of your tank and the expected usage, one system may stand out over the other.
With a calcium reactor, the bulk of the cost is in equipment. After the initial hit, the maintenance costs are fairly reasonable. Filling of CO2 bottles and replacement media is really all you need. Both of which can be easily acquired locally.
I used a peristaltic pump for years to add kalkwasser to my system as top off. The pumps are not cheap, but there is virtually no cost to run them. You will have to replace the tubing occassionally, but it is super cheap. The cost of liquid additives can be quite high, unless you find them in bulk from a chem supply store.
Let us know what you figure the costs will be. I'm curious!
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tcfab
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Posted: January 31 2011 at 2:29pm |
Balling method is deffinitly more expensive in the long run. I have already paid about 60 bucks in 2 part for my tank this year and I just set it up last Sept. I could have bought enough media for a calcium reactor to last me 2 years already 
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jcom
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Posted: February 01 2011 at 2:54pm |
I'm sure it's all about preference, but I've always used the balling method on my 120 and will be using it on my 187 too. Since baking soda is about $1.00 per box at the store and BRS sells pharm grade calcium in large quantities for a reasonable price, it is very affordable. However, if you buy the overpriced additive products like Kent Tech, Ionic A/B, etc., it can be ridiculously pricey in the long run.
Just like Tyler said, it takes a bit to dial in the dosing amounts, but once you do, stability is the norm. I was always afraid of low Ph from calcium reactors and, therefore, never got into them.
Edited by jcom - February 01 2011 at 2:55pm
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Markus
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Posted: February 01 2011 at 3:49pm |
For those running the balling method, what brand dosing pumps are you using and where do you recommend buying them from?
I started this thread after looking at a number of reef tanks featured at Reefkeeping.com in their "Tank of the Month" section. What I found is that most of these spectacular tanks are well out of reach of the average hobbyist. Between the super sophisticated equipment, outrageous expense and the need to dedicate a whole wing of your house these tanks are simply not feasible for even a majority of advanced aquarists. Then I came across this 206 gallon tank:
Unlike a majority of the tanks seen in the "Tank of the Month" feature, this unit is self contained and holds all of its equipment under said tank. The only portion of this set up that is not under the tank is the RO/DI unit which is perfectly understandable. I find this to be extremely clean, well organized and easily operated compared to some of the beasts of a tank that I've seen.
For example, this is a beautiful tank, which is only 20 gallons larger, but good grief, look at the crap he has covering 2 floors for this one tank!!
Edited by Markus - February 01 2011 at 6:06pm
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tcfab
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Posted: February 01 2011 at 7:10pm |
He just has a basement sump is all  I use the Drews Doser pumps from Bulk Reef Supply they have worked very well for me, I would recommend them
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jcom
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Posted: February 02 2011 at 3:03pm |
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I have the AquaMedic Reef Doser on my 120 and will be using a Bubble Magus on my 187. My new 187 will have everything under the tank, similar to the one above. But if I move to another house someday, it will have the flexibility (and strength with the return pump) to have a basement sump area. This appeals to me because in a basement sump setup, you can run multiple frag tanks, etc and have a fish room / man cave!
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