superbuffer-dkh vs reef fusion carbonate

So i've been using seachems reef fusion for my 2-part dosing. While i can easily keep calcium around 440, and mag around 1400, my alk is always a struggle. Even tho you are supposed to dose equal amounts of each, i am havin to dose almost 2x carbonate amount to keep things in check or my alk drops to 7, even tho my calcium is at 440.

I've tried to do only carbonate dosin for a while, and got my calcium to 430 and alk around 10. thought that was ionically balanced. but soon after alk dropped again (within matter of 3..4 days) despite 1to1 dosing daily from then on.

Was talking to a another reefer at the stroe, and he said to try superbuffer-dkh instead.

1) any ideas on why i am having alk issues?
2) any comments re superbuffer? i know it has borate and not sure if thats a good thing.

Thanks.

 

I'm having the same prob as you. I also was using sea chem, but over the past month have switched to the super buffer dkh. I like it it seems to get my dkh back to where it needs to be but does not impact ph that bad an it mixes with no clouding . The only issue is I wish I knew how to mix it in larger batches so I could use a dosing pump or something.

 

I'm not familiar with reef fusion but for your run of the mill 2 part you generally never add equal amounts alk and cal. I am using brs 2 part and I probably dose 2x more alk than cal...

 

Thanks. I thought reef fusion was formulated for 1to1 dosing.

anyways, tried superbuffer last night. dissovled two small teaspons in 1 cup of rodi and added to tank. dkh was at 10 this morning. wow. no cloudiness, no percipitation, simple add and 1.5 dkh bump. so far i am impressed.

ill do only one teaspoon next time and bring it up to 11..12 over next two/three days. i hope once its higher it will tend to drop slower.

Seems very potent and easy to use. I like it.

 

Rarely are the alk and calcium demands and dosages going to be the same. You would be much better off dosing separately based on your test results and have a happier, stable tank.

I would leave the all in one bottles on the shelf and get a two or better yet three part kit from BRS including their two part magnesium supplement. Magnesium plays an important part in calcium/alkalinity balance.

 

+1 to AZDesertrat - I ran into issues using the off the shelf buffers - super dKH to be exact. You need to dial in Mg, Alk, and Ca seperately and test for each and adjust each as needed. Its too complex for a one size fits all solution. the Bulk Reef Supply 2 part kit covers all three, is cheap, and won't let you down.

 

I don't think superbuffer-dkh is meant to be all-in-one solution. It's just the 2nd part of 2-part no? You still need to dose your calcium supplement, which for now ill continue to use Reef Fusion 1 (calcium) for until I finish my stash. It's Reef Fusion 2 (carbonate) is what ill stop using, and use superbuffer instead.

Long term, i'll try BRS bulk mixes.

 

P.S. I do test for CAL weekly. I test ALK 2..3 times a week, since it tends to be more volatile for some reason for me.