Aragamilk ....how beneficial?

Any thoughts on Aragamilk? I use 15 drops every other day for calcium and buffer ...seems to do well but my LFS said it does nothing. I use Natureef chemicals 2x weekly ... Carbonate Sulfate (with bromide, hydroxide & Iodide) and Calcium (with Magnesium, strontium, potasium, lithium, barium & boron) ...and a drop of iodine weekly. My apology for over explaining ...this reef stuff is new to me. Thanks in advance for your ideas!

 

You are not over explaining, so no apology needed. How big is your tank? How long have you had it? What do you have in it? Now the Big question - are you testing your water before adding chemicals? You really need to test, I know to much Iodine can be just as bad as not enough, also my calcium levels are still great in my 70 gal. and its been up for almost 2 yrs without adding anything. I know this doesnt exactly answer your question but you should try testing first. Good luck reefing.

 

Aragamilk is just aragonite mixed with water if I'm not mistaken. If you're already adding calcium, I don't see the need to use it but I disagree with your LFS's opinion that it does "nothing."

 

I don't want your eyes to roll backwards into to your head and make you start druelling uncontrollably so I won't explain the chemistry involved here. However, depending on your Calcium, Alkalinity, Magnesium, and pH levels, Aragamilk (in certain circumstances) can actually cause Ca, alk, and Mg levels to drop. That's one of the reasons I don't particularly care for Aragamilk nor Purple Up.

 

Don't add anything you are not testing for on a regular basis. Throw all that stuff out the window and do regular water changes with a good salt mix. If you are heavily stocked with SPS there may come a day you need to supplement calcium and alakalinity but the test kits will tell you this ahead of time. Never, ever, did I say never, add trace elements, supplements or additives because the LFS or someone told you to, its the absolute quickest way to get a system out of whack there is.
Good salt and RO/DI water generally take care of everything you need.

Get good test kits (Salifert) for every little ingredient in what you are dosing or throw them all away.

 

Thanks to everyone for their reply. Youre all very helpful!