Bolus dosing

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Never used the calculator but to humor you guys. I am dosing about a ml per gallon a day to achieve 8.2 KH.. And for Randy's consumption: when I describe coral growth as "better", an example would be a 4 inch sps colony gaining 50% in mass in 2 months and because I have significant flow, most of my corals are prone to grow in girth as much as length. Have at it folks.

Not sure what anyone could or would challenge about that. It is not actually a comparison to any other method in that tank . Its just a statement of your experience with it by itself.

 

[Oldreefer44]

The comparison is that it was a switch from about 18 months of AFR dosing. The reason for the switch was that AFR was giving me too much CA (around 475) and high Mg at about 1350. So it was just timing that I was ready to go to a three part at the same time Paletta was on Reef Bum extolling the benefits of Bolus. Just to add to the mix is the fact that I started ammonia dosing about two weeks prior to the switch and am using a Captiv8 pre made mix of trace elements, similar to the Moonshiners methodology, based on the last ICP results. So would be impossible to assign the improvement to Bolus alone. Also, yes there is about a half an inch of "undissolved matter" in the bottom of the dosing container.

 

[Garf]

Also, yes there is about a half an inch of "undissolved matter" in the bottom of the dosing container.

Thanks. I only stick 80 grammes a litre in my (Randy recipe #2) DIY two part and that seems like quite enough of an effort to get it to fully dissolve, without heating.

 

[Garf]

@Randy Holmes-Farley
My post above got me thinking about the likelihood that folks are actually getting 100 grammes sodium bicarbonate in 1 litre to stay dissolved.
Googling suggests that @ 20 C the solubility of sodium bicarb is 80 g/L. Whilst at 25 C the solubility goes upto 96 g/L. I see that generally the use of Luke warm water is suggested to aid solubility. Let's say that people warm the water and get 100g/L to dissolve fully. This solution is then allowed to cool, presumably lowering the solubility allowing it to settle in the container. So would not the ambient temperature around the container (specifically the solution temperature) have a rather large impact on the amount dissolved per Litre? If the container was stored at 20 C, the maximum dissolved could only ever be 80 g/L (20% less than assumed). Thanks.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

@Randy Holmes-Farley
My post above got me thinking about the likelihood that folks are actually getting 100 grammes sodium bicarbonate in 1 litre to stay dissolved.
Googling suggests that @ 20 C the solubility of sodium bicarb is 80 g/L. Whilst at 25 C the solubility goes upto 96 g/L. I see that generally the use of Luke warm water is suggested to aid solubility. Let's say that people warm the water and get 100g/L to dissolve fully. This solution is then allowed to cool, presumably lowering the solubility allowing it to settle in the container. So would not the ambient temperature around the container (specifically the solution temperature) have a rather large impact on the amount dissolved per Litre? If the container was stored at 20 C, the maximum dissolved could only ever be 80 g/L (20% less than assumed). Thanks.

Yes, the ambient temp will matter. Folks using some two parts do see precipitation if the product gets especially cool.

Depending on what is in the trace mix, it may allow a supersaturated solution to remain without rapid precipitation, just as calcium carbonate is supersaturated in seawater.

 

[Garf]

Yes, the ambient temp will matter. Folks using some two parts do see precipitation if the product gets especially cool.

Depending on what is in the trace mix, it may allow a supersaturated solution to remain without rapid precipitation, just as calcium carbonate is supersaturated in seawater.

Thanks. Seems a "quick Google" wasn't sufficient. I'll stick a pic up of a chart which appears more accurate, if folk have other information to share, I'm all ears;

 

[Pod_01]

The reason for the switch was that AFR was giving me too much CA (around 475) and high Mg at about 1350.

Did the CA at 475 cause issues? Just curious, while it is elevated I never had issues at that level. AFR has bit more CA just like Kalk so water change once in a while may help.
With Balling Light method water changes are also required. From my experience with Balling Light without water changes some elements will become unbalanced. For example my Sulpher S dropped after year of use and infrequent water changes, I suspect the system does not maintained ionic balance without water changes.


The Mg of 1350 in my opinion is perfect. I keep Mg from 1200 all the way to 1450…

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I suspect the system does not maintained ionic balance without water changes.

It's supposed to, but I've not seen an analysis of Part C or the calculations used to determine how much Part C is used to prove it does.

 

[Pod_01]

It's supposed to, but I've not seen an analysis of Part C or the calculations used to determine how much Part C is used to prove it does.

The big difference to Balling light is, there is no part C. As per the instructions the Mg part is only added when Mg is consumed. For example my system never consumed Mg or I could not measure it, so there was no need to add it.
Same with the Alk and Ca portion, you only add what is consumed, so if the CA test kit is off you add less or more. When I used it the ratio of Alk to Ca was 4:1 to 5:1.

I am not really expert (just amateur reefer) but reading most of your articles on 2/3 part systems over the years, I suspect the FM implications prevents ionic balance. But that is my unprofessional opinion.

Using Balling Light I always felt like I was playing whack a mole. There was always something off and new bottle was required to fix it, the last one was element S…

This was my last ICP result of the major elements using Balling Light.

S has been going down for better part of six months. Sr was also going down. I do water changes but I am not consistent so that may be an issue as well, I do perform at least 20% water change a month.

 

[Garf]

Anyone care to explain the relationship between Alkalinity and pH to Doug? Just assume he's a lurker in the thread; Oddly at 1 min 50 secs a subliminal message flashes up, I've taken the liberty of posting a screenshot of it below,lol.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

I don't understand what that video is proving?

And holy .... good catch on that flash of the post. I went and verified it was actually there. How petty is one that has to resort to that? Shame!

Instead of making the effort to explain, they decided to make a video with nothing other than prelude of what they may or may not have added just to muddy the waters even further.

Hopefully others aren't that gullible. When I watched reefbums episode with Doug, I immediately came to the conclusion this guy was simply filling the air with noises. I kept waiting for an explanation to validate his words but they never came. Hopefully others see right through that as well.

 

[Garf]

I don't understand what that video is proving?

He thinks he's showing how the "Bolus" dose does in fact increase overall pH, I assume.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

The big difference to Balling light is, there is no part C. As per the instructions the Mg part is only added when Mg is consumed. For example my system never consumed Mg or I could not measure it, so there was no need to add it.
Same with the Alk and Ca portion, you only add what is consumed, so if the CA test kit is off you add less or more. When I used it the ratio of Alk to Ca was 4:1 to 5:1.

I am not really expert (just amateur reefer) but reading most of your articles on 2/3 part systems over the years, I suspect the FM implications prevents ionic balance. But that is my unprofessional opinion.

Using Balling Light I always felt like I was playing whack a mole. There was always something off and new bottle was required to fix it, the last one was element S…

This was my last ICP result of the major elements using Balling Light.

S has been going down for better part of six months. Sr was also going down. I do water changes but I am not consistent so that may be an issue as well, I do perform at least 20% water change a month.

If the FM product has no part C, then it isn't going to be ionically balanced. I assumed there was. I wouldn't elect it over a DIY if there is not.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Anyone care to explain the relationship between Alkalinity and pH to Doug? Just assume he's a lurker in the thread; Oddly at 1 min 50 secs a subliminal message flashes up, I've taken the liberty of posting a screenshot of it below,lol.

Wow, that's freaky. Never thought something I wrote would be used that way, but I hope it sinks into viewers. lol

 

[rtparty]

Like I said earlier, the name Balling being used is a total farce. Just like everything else FM at this point

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

He thinks he's showing how the "Bolus" dose does in fact increase overall pH, I assume.

I added to my post to give it some clarity to my point.

 

[twentyleagues]

Anyone care to explain the relationship between Alkalinity and pH to Doug? Just assume he's a lurker in the thread; Oddly at 1 min 50 secs a subliminal message flashes up, I've taken the liberty of posting a screenshot of it below,lol.

Ok ill bite I'm dumb enough. I mean increasing alk will increase ph typically right? Thats what the video shows is happening. But how does this address anything? He cuts the video off before the lights come on I think 9:27 and lights on at 9:30? I am really confused? lol

Also I am not quick enough to see the subliminal message...I am guessing it isnt flattering.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

Also I am not quick enough to see the subliminal message...I am guessing it isnt flattering.

Garf shared the screenshot above. Which I might add, the screenshot was taken a while ago, because RHF has made 2500+ posts since then.

Which begs the question, was that post passed around in an effort to charge the bolus community?

 

[twentyleagues]

Garf shared the screenshot above. Which I might add, the screenshot was taken a while ago, because RHF has made 2500+ posts since then.

Which begs the question, was that post passed around in an effort to charge the bolus community?

Ahh how'd I miss that. It does not change the fact I am still confused lol. I would bet my "bolus" paycheck on Randy being right. How did he think that was going to do anything in their favor?

 

[BeanAnimal]

Ok ill bite I'm dumb enough. I mean increasing alk will increase ph typically right? Thats what the video shows is happening. But how does this address anything? He cuts the video off before the lights come on I think 9:27 and lights on at 9:30? I am really confused? lol

Also I am not quick enough to see the subliminal message...I am guessing it isnt flattering.

As I mentioned before, Doug is clearly out of his depth and relying on Claude for cover -- speaking over Claude's shoulder, if you will. His “subliminal” nonsense and the fact that he created a new video instead of responding to the remarks in the prior video comments highlights his inability to respond intelligently.

This is a pattern with these folks -- they market their approach as “science-based reefing” when they are really just layering on BS to established and working methods. They know most followers aren’t equipped to question the science, so they rely on the feedback loop of “everyone says it works” as validation. It’s a deliberate strategy that preys on general scientific ignorance and trust. There is a word that comes to mind....