Until recently, I was using CaOH (Kalk), and some two part to maintain Ca and Alk in my mixed reef. I was up to about 750 ml Kalk per day in a 70 gallon system. I also was seeing how this was affecting the equipment in my sump, i.e. lots of precipitate, and wanted to find a more natural way to maintain optimal conditions. After some research I fell into the literature on calcium salts of organic acids, acetic and formic acids. I eventually settled on using calcium formate as it is available from Tropic Marin, in Carbocalcium.
I have been using this for about a month now and have to say that I really like the product. Once I dialed in my dose, I have been able to maintain my Alk at 8.3 to 8.5 dKH and calcium at 410 to 420 ppm. I also like the fact that I am not needing to dose very much, about 12 to 15 ml per day in my system of 70 gallons. That means I can make a liter for dosing and it will be good for more than two months. While this is not as cheap as Kalk it is equally effective at maintaining calcium and alkalinity and requires less effort in my system.
I should note that the product say organic calcium salts, but I suspect it is mostly calcium formate. I would like to know if other are using this or a similar product and what their results have been.
I will post a followup after a couple of months as this will be a better test of the product and my success, or failure, using it.
Happy reefing!
I have been using this for about a month now and have to say that I really like the product. Once I dialed in my dose, I have been able to maintain my Alk at 8.3 to 8.5 dKH and calcium at 410 to 420 ppm. I also like the fact that I am not needing to dose very much, about 12 to 15 ml per day in my system of 70 gallons. That means I can make a liter for dosing and it will be good for more than two months. While this is not as cheap as Kalk it is equally effective at maintaining calcium and alkalinity and requires less effort in my system.
I should note that the product say organic calcium salts, but I suspect it is mostly calcium formate. I would like to know if other are using this or a similar product and what their results have been.
I will post a followup after a couple of months as this will be a better test of the product and my success, or failure, using it.
Happy reefing!