Balling anyone ?

[AntsReef]

Hi all,
does anyone in the UK use the balling method. Seems to be the going method in Germany and gaining popularity in the States but never see it mentioned here. From what I understand it's adding the required elements(calcium,alk,mag etc) via peri pumps from made up solutions. The big advantage I can see is no CO2,
rgds,
Anthony

[Matthew5664]

I use this method for my Ca Alk and Mg. I find it suits my needs very well. I have a small ammount of LPS and SPS. The raise in NaCl is ajusted with 2 lager WC's at the end of the month 4 days apart.

[Tiggsy]

be very interested in this....the Aug TOTM on RC uses this method (or similar)

a tripple pump peri system added to my aquatronica is £200 ish - a lot cheaper than a reactor with co2 and ph probe.

just read a little more on this...now VERY interested! in fact, i'm wondering what the downside is? tub of solution and a peri (which can be adjusted to your hearts content) V a reactor, ph probe and co2 system.

[pavlo]

I think Andy Hipkiss discusses this method on his website

[maestro]

I use my own 2 part calcium and Alkalinity supplement as per Randy Holmes-Farley, each solution is in 5 litre containers and dose automatically via a peri pump and electronic timers ,used it for a month and very impressed so far.

What I like about it aswell as it being automated I can also add either calcium or alkalinity or magnesium seperately any time at the touch of a button.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php

I think the balling method is something completly different though.

[Tiggsy]

do you still run a reactor or kalk?

[maestro]

I run a kalk stirrer aswell at night

[kim]

There will be no excess Na or Cl ions created via the balling method.

Using additives such as calcium chloride and sodium bicarbonate will create excess. Though for many people this isn't a problem. The idea behind balling is that you do a water change (usually continuous) whereby you add the calcium chloride and sodium bicarbonate solutions TOGETHER with a chloride and sodium deficient salt, so that the excess doesn't accumulate. This means that you take water out as well as add it (otherwise salinity would rise).

The amounts of calcium chloride/sodium bicarbonate are "in balance" and dictated by the consumption within the tank, and the amount of deficient salt is simply set to balance out all the other elements. It's a water change rather than an addition.

The only reason (I guess) to use a reactor or kalkwasser in conjunction with balling is pH control.

kim

[Gav Cornwall]

So go into a bit more detail.

You say a sodium and chloride deficient salt, what exactly would this be, who makes it ?

When mixing calcium chloride, Magnesium chloride and sodium bicarbonate are you actually keeping NSW levels of Sodium Chloride. (I think Chloride has almost twice the presence of sodium in NSW)

But from what i gather you don't add magnesium chloride very often as it isn't used as often as calcium and cabonate.

Does anyone have any links to an English :P detailed explinataion ? (the only ones i can find are in german)

Edit --

I just found this (http://www.athiel.com/lib7/drj2.htm) which i found interesting.