B-Ionic Dosing?

[estein02]

I recently picked up a BTA and a sun coral from two different LFS and they both suggested using the 2 part b-ionic. Is this absolutely necessary? How do I know if I really need it especially everyday like the directions state? I'm just always nervous about adding things in my tank.

 

[halcyon_diver]

youll need to test for both calcium and alk/kh to determine the amount of dosing youll need. i use it twice a week and it works very well, when i first started using it i would test a couple hours after dosing...and then first thing in the morning till i got the numbers where they needed to be. i still monitor both closely. also be sure to test your ph as alk and ph work hand in hand. calcium in the 400 - 450 range alk between 8-11

 

[coolguy818]

I dose B-Ionic every morning. It pretty much takes the place of a Calcium Reactor. Since my tank is SPS dominated plus I have 5 clams, these corals and inverts suck the tank dry of Calcium and Alkalinity.
To test this, I didn't dose for 2 days. Here were my results
During Dosing:

Calcium - 420 to 440
Alk - 8 to 10 dKH
Stopped Dosing:

Calcium - 320 (tested 3 times with 2 different test kits)
Alk - 6 (tested 2 times with 2 different test kits)
Basically it all depends on the need of your tank. For some people twice a week is plenty, for others everyday isn't enough...
By the way I also add 2 capfuls of Purple Up every night....... More calcium.

 

[shogun323]

Like cool guy mentioned, the amount of dosing all depends on the consumption of your tank. All of his SPS and clam's consume alot of calcium which the B-ionic replenishes.
As previously mentioned, you need Alk and Calcium test kits. See what you consume. BTA's dont use up calcium and if you only have a sun coral you may have high enough Calcuim levels from your salt mix.
Also, forgive me if you already know but sun corals need spot feeding and prefer lower light areas like under ledges.

 

[estein02]

Thanks for all of the input...greatly appreciated.
shogun...I have been spot feeding the sun coral, but I do need to move it. Have it currently located on a rock in the lower portion of the tank, but it is out in the open. I probably should move it to the sand under some of the rock. I never even intended on getting any corals, but seeing some of the pictures on this website...a nice reef tank is unbelievable! Just making me more broker!

 

[estein02]

Originally Posted by Coolguy818
I dose B-Ionic every morning. It pretty much takes the place of a Calcium Reactor. Since my tank is SPS dominated plus I have 5 clams, these corals and inverts suck the tank dry of Calcium and Alkalinity.
To test this, I didn't dose for 2 days. Here were my results
During Dosing:

Calcium - 420 to 440
Alk - 8 to 10 dKH
Stopped Dosing:

Calcium - 320 (tested 3 times with 2 different test kits)
Alk - 6 (tested 2 times with 2 different test kits)
Basically it all depends on the need of your tank. For some people twice a week is plenty, for others everyday isn't enough...
By the way I also add 2 capfuls of Purple Up every night....... More calcium.
Ok..if I test correctly, here are my results:
Temp: 77
Salinity: 1.023
pH: 8.3ish
Amm: 0ppm
Trate: 10 - 20ppm
Trite: 0ppm
Calcium: 420 ppm
Alk: 10.9 dkh
Phos: 0
They seem pretty good to me. Wish the nitrates and alk were a little lower. Any thoughts?

 

[mscarpena]

The sun coral does not need to be shaded. They just do not use light to grow so actually anywhere in the tank is fine. I know people who keep them under MH. Mine are under 4x110 VHO's.