Tropic Marin BioCalcium

[StellaMN]

Is anyone using Tropic Marin BioCalcium? I picked up a container this weekend (I'm addicted to trying new things---you should see all the half-used bottles of crap in the rubbermaids under my tank)....

Anyway, the instructions say to sprinkle the powder directly into your tank in an area of high flow. I have some concerns about this, as my lobo (which is in the area of highest flow) slimed up quite a bit after addition. Would it be possible to mix the dosage with my top off?

Also, for those that have used this-----and reports? Good, bad, indifferent? I'm not seeing much growth in my SPS or clams and want to give the calcium a boost (no---I haven't tested my calcium lately....so I can't give you a number right now---naughty, naughty reefmom...)

Anyway, I'd appreciate any input y'all can give me on this stuff. ThatPetPlace has a great sale on it in their catalog right now, so I can order the larger container for less than I paid for the smaller container at the LFS.

Thanks!

Jodi

[karsco]

Stella,

I have been using bio calcium for about 4 months now with very good results. I add about 4-5 scoops once a week to my overflow (I do not dump the scoops into the main display) and I maintain a Alk of about 12 Dkh and calcium at about 425-450. I also dose Kalk every night in a slurry mixture (to maintain the calcium levles) to the sump. My SPS coral Frags and my clam are showing good growth rates. I test my calcium and Alk every weekend (as you should also!) and everything is going great so far.

If you are going to use the Bio Calcium and Kalk method I would recommend testing once a week and also probably picking up a PH meter to check your levels when you are dosing. I like the stability of my tank using the bio calcium, I keep high calcium levels and my PH stays around 8.2-8.4. I think the key to good growth rates is stability. Anyway sorry to ramble, I hope this helps...

[David Grigor]

I wouldn't recommend adding it to your topoff.

You should put directly in tank. Better to do like Karsco mentions in high flow area of the sump and not directly in show tank.

Reason for this, The powder works by reacting with the Co2 in your tank. If you just put it in your topoff where there may be less CO2 and less water volumne, you most likely would not get the full benefit of the product.

[Casey]

I use it and it works great I put in one scoop a day into the sump
and maintain calcium of 450 I think it is one of the best besides a reactor of course

[StellaMN]

The sump sounds like a great idea.....if only I had one!!

I'll just have to rearrange the lobo to another area......

Thanks for the suggestions!

Jodi