Mixing Tropic Marin A- & K+ Trace Elements

[dr1271]

I'm currently doosing Tropic Marin's Original Balling Method for about the past year. I manually dose their trace elements, but have a single Bubble Magus Doser sitting around.

Would it be safe to mix the two (A- & K+) together and dose these through a single doser??

 

[Billldg]

I'm currently doosing Tropic Marin's Original Balling Method for about the past year. I manually dose their trace elements, but have a single Bubble Magus Doser sitting around.

Would it be safe to mix the two (A- & K+) together and dose these through a single doser??

Are you using any type of 2-part? I am starting the @Bulk Reef Supply hybrid method, and I will eventually mix those with the 2-part. Mixing them together, I am guessing is a no go, as they would have done it from the get go.

 

[dr1271]

Are you using any type of 2-part? I am starting the @Bulk Reef Supply hybrid method, and I will eventually mix those with the 2-part. Mixing them together, I am guessing is a no go, as they would have done it from the get go.

I'm using the Tropic Marin balling method which is a three part. The trace elements that TM sells are in two separate containers and I manually dose those in equal parts.

Just curious if mixing these together into one container would be possible to utilize one dosing pump to set this up on automation.

 

[Billldg]

I'm using the Tropic Marin balling method which is a three part. The trace elements that TM sells are in two separate containers and I manually dose those in equal parts.

Just curious if mixing these together into one container would be possible to utilize one dosing pump to set this up on automation.

I am not sure that would be wise. I would imagine that if it were possible, Tropic Marin would have done it. Maybe @Randy Holmes-Farley will have some insight into whether or not they can be mixed, but I would say no they can't.

 

[rtparty]

Nope. TM would have done this from the get go.

You can add the A and K into the balling parts but I can't remember which. Lou talked about this on one of the lives with ReefDudes.

 

[Nerdist Aquarist]

No, don't mix them. IMO, the better option is mix the A- with the Alkalinity solution, and the K+ with the Calcium solution.

This is what I do, except using BRS 2 part instead of Tropic Marin's.

 

[dr1271]

Thanks. I’m about finished with my Balling powder mix and may just switch over to A4R and use use the other two dosers for trace elements.

any advice would be appreciated for one switching from Balling to A4R. I’m currently dosing 46ml of each in a Waterbox 70.2. (45g total water displacement)

 

[Nerdist Aquarist]

Can't really comment much on A4R, as I have not used it. However I have briefly tried Carbocalcium, which is basically the main component of A4R. However I went back to 2 part. I prefer to have control over each part rather than a single additive. I suppose if you do regular water changes that would help with any imbalance that may occur especially on smaller tanks, my goal is to do as few as possible.

Also: If you're dosing A4R, I don't think you'd need additional trace elements, it's all included.

 

[The Opinionated Reefer]

No, don't mix them. IMO, the better option is mix the A- with the Alkalinity solution, and the K+ with the Calcium solution.

This is what I do, except using BRS 2 part instead of Tropic Marin's.

At what ratio? How many ml trace per litre for alk and calcium

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

At what ratio? How many ml trace per litre for alk and calcium

I’d think the best approach using a product like this is to determine the mL per day dose for your aquarium based on either the manufacturer directions (Tropic Marin supplies directions and has an online calculator) or by careful iCP testing, then add that daily dose into the daily dose of each part of the two part you are actually using.

Some tanks use far more two part than others, so a single fixed ratio is not optimal for all, IMO.

 

[Chris Spaulding]

Bringing this older thread back up because I am wondering the same can they be mixed into one solution and use 1 dose? I do not see why not as the DIY solution for A4R mixes the 2 together? FWIW I still use A4R on2 smaller tanks 50 gallons each. Just A4R can not keep up with my larger system well my pocket book can not keep up I should say.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Bringing this older thread back up because I am wondering the same can they be mixed into one solution and use 1 dose? I do not see why not as the DIY solution for A4R mixes the 2 together? FWIW I still use A4R on2 smaller tanks 50 gallons each. Just A4R can not keep up with my larger system well my pocket book can not keep up I should say.

I think it is always best to assume that when a manufacturer splits up things that most people would find more convenient in one bottle, they cannot be mixed.

Without knowing exactly how much of what is in each bottle, it's not possible to say without trying to mix them.

 

[Chris Spaulding]

I think it is always best to assume that when a manufacturer splits up things that most people would find more convenient in one bottle, they cannot be mixed.

Without knowing exactly how much of what is in each bottle, it's not possible to say without trying to mix them.

I understand that BUT in the instructions of the A4R Diy you actually Mix the two in the same container in equal parts. That is what has me confused. Maybe @Lou Ekus or @Hans-Werner can chime in a let us know.

 

[Lou Ekus]

I understand that BUT in the instructions of the A4R Diy you actually Mix the two in the same container in equal parts. That is what has me confused. Maybe @Lou Ekus or @Hans-Werner can chime in a let us know.

When you are mixing the Trace A and Trace K into All-For-Reef solution, the high concentration of the AFR solution keeps the Traces from precipitating. If you were to mix them both together in RO/DI water, or even just together without anything else, they will precipitate certain compounds.

 

[Chris Spaulding]

When you are mixing the Trace A and Trace K into All-For-Reef solution, the high concentration of the AFR solution keeps the Traces from precipitating. If you were to mix them both together in RO/DI water, or even just together without anything else, they will precipitate certain compounds.

Thank You for the clarification

 

[World Citizen]

@Lou Ekus,

I am sorry to bother you but I can't seem to confirm something.

I am sure I have heard you say it in a video, but can't find it anymore.

Can we mix TM A- elements with Part A and TM K+ elements with Part B of the TM Classic Balling product.

Thank you for your time!

Niels

 

[Coolcasino]

Depending what 2 part you use you mix A- with your Alk part and K+ with your Cal part. If your talking about TM Balling components K+ goes into part A and A- goes into part B.

 

[Lionfish hunter]

When you are mixing the Trace A and Trace K into All-For-Reef solution, the high concentration of the AFR solution keeps the Traces from precipitating. If you were to mix them both together in RO/DI water, or even just together without anything else, they will precipitate certain compounds.

What if you mixed them in saturated kalkwasser?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

What if you mixed them in saturated kalkwasser?

That’s not a good plan for certain elements even individually because high pH reduces solubility of then. High dilution also increases chances of oxidation to less soluble chemical forms.