Kent Marine Tech CB 2 Part Calcium Buffer

ReefSparky

ReefSparky

AC Members
Dec 8, 2007
63
0
0
59
kentcb.jpg


I've gone with Kent's Tech CB. It says on the label "Now Stronger 56,000 ppm on part A, and Now Stronger 7840 dKH on part B. The instructions state to use no more than 1/2 ml per gallon per 12 hours. As instructed I dose just that, when I leave for work at 6 am, and before dinner at 6pm. I've been doing this for 4 days no and there's no appreciable difference in CA levels. My calcium levels are 360.

Alk is at 5.5 mEq, or 15.4 dKh.

I've read Randy Holmes-Farley's article about his 2 part homemade solution, and his instructions state that additions can be a bit faster (but not by much). He also gives instructions for raising one value, given the other value is satisfactory. I'm guessing that the Kent Tech CB product is similar enough in composition and purpose.

I'm really not impatient, and I'll have my levels correct BEFORE any coral additions--but is there anything I can do to raise my CA levels any faster in a tank containing only 2 banggai cardinals and a half-dozen snails and blue leg hermits?

I feel like at this rate I'll be adding this two part solution for weeks before my CA is where it should be.
 
I can't comment on the Kent product, but I use B-Ionic, a similar 2 part dosing. Bottle states 1ml per gallon but after watching my calcium not get any better I decided raise the dosage and it worked. I first started at 1.5x and ended up going 2x the bottle recommendations because I do have a lot of stuff in the tank using the calcium.

LFSs/Reef club members in my area all agreed that the bottle is the recommended starting dosage... what you do NOT want to do is dose more than once a day. You can put in 2x the dosage and see if it increases, but don't do 2 doses at the normal strength during the same day. Personally I don't know what happens because everyone stressed that point like crazy.. so I only dose once a day and have not had any problems at 2x the recommeded.

Sound like you are, but for anyone else.. ALWAYS test each day when adding a higher dosage to make sure your not going overboard.

Also, another way to raise your calcium faster is by doing larger/more frequent water changes and still dosing each day. That is, as long as you use a good REEF salt mix.. not something like Instant Oceans bottom of the line salt.. even reef crystals leaves a lot to be desired.
 
What are your Magnesium levels at? Plays a big part in being able to keep CA levels up at seawater levels and above. Also, I wouldn't use any more of the part B(the carbonate and bi-carbonate part). DKH is a little high, can also affect ability to keep high CA levels. 8-12 DKH, 9 or 10 is good. I would be testing these, all three, daily until you figure out how much and of what you need to dose. Magnesium levels need to be above 1290ppm for CA levels above 380ppm. Hope you get it straightened out.
Matt
 
Thanks, folks. I can't find a magnesium test kit in any LFS. I'm going to do some reading, get some epsom salts and go from there.
 
When raising my levels I went a rather aggressive route of 20ppm per day. I wouldn't go higher than that and as Ace mentioned I tested daily during that time. Once it was balanced and where I wanted it to be I only add a small amount daily.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom