balling method

zachB:

correct, im glad your in the mix, lol. heres another site
Balling Method - Reef Park... The friendliest forum on the net!!!

 

it seems overly complicated to me - just reading the article turned the hobby from fun to a chore

 

its not bad if you read all the websites posted on this thread and do your homework, i dont know a saltwater tank that doesnt involve some type of maintenance,upkeep,research,or complication, especially if you have corals. learning about saltwater aquariums can be fun.

 

that's kind of what I was thinking. Once you read a bit more it is nowhere near as complicated as the initial article you posted. I still dose daily, why not do it with something that's more complete.

 

I read it and yep, too complicated(for me). When it gets to the "A Chemistry Primer, or How to Weigh an Atom" part, I get lost. I add ESV parts one and two, when my pH goes lower than 8.1 to keep it 8.3, I wrote on the bottle how many capfuls of part one, at 7.9, 8.0, 8.1 and 8.2, that it would take to get it to 8.3, and usually when the pH gets to 8.1 it means I add 2 capfuls of the part 2. I add Mg when I see small amounts of white on the back of the glass, means it need Mg. I test now about once a month and haven't done a water change yet.

 

After reading the article that ZachB posted, let me see if I got this right. Basiclly your just turning a manual dosing method into an automatic one. Am I right? Luna

 

without sounding like a jag, did you read any of the sites? but to answer your question with a really simple short answer, yes.

 

cuttingras:

this method works for high or low demand of elements and is a very simple easy to use method. has been used overseas with many tanks.
for instance: on your tank, you know what or not to add by measuring and do just that appropriately, this method does it for you along with other added benefits.

 

Basically, yes. However, if I'm understanding correctly after my initial readings, it simplifies dosing many, many different trace elements into 3 parts. You don't necessarily dose each on a daily basis, just the solution that you need. It seems more beneficial as your tank will have more trace elements and adds fresh water at the same time.

"Using a total of six different trace element solution Heinz incorporates NaCl Free Salt, UltraMinS and the following elements:

• Barium
• Strontium
• Cobalt
• Copper
• Zinc
• Nickel
• Chromium
• Iron
• Potassium
• Iodine"

reef_guru, have you seen these?

http://www.ecosystemaquarium.com/products/additives/balling-method.html

 

yup, those are premade solutions, its cheaper mixing your own
The Total Two Part Package Bulk Reef Supply
granted there is a little more to than this, but its a good start