Everything you need to know about the Balling method: Instructions for use.

In this article, I will explain in detail the steps of setting up the Balling method and using trace elements for your reef aquarium.

History of the Balling Method.

The Balling Method is a supplementation method invented in Germany by Dr. Hans-Werner Balling, now a member of the research and development department within the company Tropic Marin. The method is simple to use, which is why it is becoming increasingly popular all over the world and not just in Europe.

Dr. Hans-Werner Balling, inventor of the Balling method.

How the Balling method works.

The Balling method allows the maintenance of calcium, kh and minerals consumed by corals, and also in an improved Balling method the trace elements. It has the advantage, over the limestone reactor, of not modifying the acidity of the aquarium water and will allow you to precisely dose your additions according to your consumption, which is not always obvious with other supplementation methods.

The three products of the classic Balling method.

To set up the method, you need three chemicals to make three different solutions.

• THEcalcium chlorideDihydrate which allows the maintenance of calcium.
• L'sodium hydrogen carbonateWhich allows the maintenance of the Kh.
• THE"salts without salt"Which allows the maintenance of the ionic balance and the addition of all the mineral salts present in natural sea water.

The Improved Balling Method: Trace Elements.

This so-called improved method simply allows you to add three trace element solutions to the preparations described above. They are then distributed in proportion according to your Balling consumption. Here are the three trace element solutions required:

• Trace elements 1: Strontium and Barium.
• Trace elements 2: Heavy metals, cobalt, manganese, copper, zinc, nickel, iron, potassium and chromium.
• Trace elements 3: Iodine, fluorine and boron.

Implementation of the Balling method

Materials needed to prepare 5 liters of each preparation

• 3 5-litre cans, preferably food-grade.
• 3 dosing pumps + piping (you can, on small tanks, make your additions manually without the dosing pumps, which is still much less practical!)
• 3 buckets of 5 liters minimum.
• A funnel
• An electronic scale
• Of thecalcium, Kh and magnesium tests.
• 15 liters of osmosis water.
• The three Balling products:
• 358gr of Balling 1 -calcium chloride
• 420gr of Balling 2 -sodium hydrogen carbonate
• 122gr of Balling 3 -"salts without salt"
• The three trace element products:
• 25 ml of trace elements 1: Strontium and Barium
• 25 ml of Trace Elements 2: Heavy metals
• 25 ml of Trace Elements 3: Iodine, fluorine and boron

Preparation of solutions

The preparation of 5 liters of the 3 balling solutions is very simple:

• Add 5 liters of osmosis water to each of the 3 buckets.
• Weighing using the scale:
• 358gr of Balling 1 -calcium chloride
• 420gr of Balling 2 -sodium hydrogen carbonate
• 122gr of Balling 3 -"salts without salt"
• Pour the 358g of calcium chloride into bucket 1, the 420g of hydrogen carbonate into bucket 2 and the 122g of "salt-free salts" into bucket 3.
• Mix the three preparations well so that the products dilute properly. The hydrogen carbonate will have more difficulty diluting than the other two products, this is normal. To shorten this time and facilitate the dilution reaction, you can slightly heat the water in the bucket.
• To these three preparations, we will now add the trace elements:
• Add the25 ml of trace elements 1In bucket 1 containing the calcium chloride solution.
• Add the25 ml of trace elements 2Still in bucket 1 containing the calcium chloride solution.
• Add the25 ml of trace elements 3This time in bucket 2 containing the sodium hydrogen carbonate.
• Do not add anything to bucket 3, it remains as is.
• Once all the products are well diluted, pour the solutions 1, 2 and 3 that you have just prepared into containers 1, 2 and 3 using the funnel. Remember to identify your containers using labels.

Your Balling preparations are now ready !

The first dosage

Before you can start dispensing the solutions you just prepared, you will need to determine your calcium, kH and magnesium levels, I recommendthe tests SalifertFor their prices and details. As a reminder, the reef rates must be forcalcium of around 400-430mg/litre, for carbon hardnessKH from 8 to 10dKhAnd formagnesium 1300-1350mg/liter. If you do not have these rates, it is strongly recommended to adjust them before starting the Balling distribution. Indeed, the Balling method aims to keep the parameters at stable values, not to increase them.

Once the correct rates in your tank are obtained, you will be able to begin a first distribution. We will, to begin, start with a "generic" distribution of approximately 20ml for 100 liters of each solution (balling 1, 2 and 3) per day. Why "generic"? Because the dosage of the three Balling solutions is specific to each tank depending on its coral population, we will adjust these dosages in the following days.

The distribution should be done in the decanter in a well-mixed place, the best being close to the lift pump. If you use dosing pumps, it is interesting to divide the distributions and distribute them throughout the day. For example, instead of distributing 20ml of Balling 1 at once, distribute 5ml every 6 hours. Do the same with Balling 2 and 3. This avoids sudden changes and provides trace elements throughout the day, your corals will appreciate it!Last important point to know, balling solutions 1, 2 and 3 should be distributed withsufficient time intervals(at least 30 minutes) so that they do not mix.

Adjusting dosages to your tank

Now that you have started the Balling method, you will need to monitor your calcium and KH levels, initially every two days. If your levels drop, you will need to increase the initial "generic" distribution, for example by 5ml of each solution (balling 1, 2 and 3). If your levels have increased, then decrease the distribution. Repeat this operation for several days in a row until your levels are stable at the values you want to obtain. As a general rule, after two weeks of adjustment, you will have determined the correct dosages for your tank. You can now stop testing your levels as frequently. Weekly tests are still recommended in order to monitor your values and fine-tune your settings if necessary.

Magnesium

The proper magnesium level in reef is 1300-1350mg/litre. Adding magnesium is not part of the Balling method, but poor magnesium levels will prevent you from having good calcium and KH levels. This is because magnesium and calcium are closely related, so it is important to have adequate magnesium levels.

To prepare 1 liter of 10% magnesium solution you will need: magnesium chloride hexahydrate and of magnesium sulfate heptahydrate.

In a 1 liter container, dissolve 380 g of magnesium chloride hexahydrate and 48 g of magnesium sulfate heptahydrate in 700 ml of reverse osmosis water. The resulting solution contains 50,000 mg of magnesium. 10 ml of solution increases the Mg level by 5 mg/l in 100 l of water. The maximum daily dose of the solution is 20 ml per 100 l of water. The ideal magnesium level in a reef aquarium is approx. 1300-1350 mg/l. Do not overdose.

Video: Dr. Hans-Werner Balling, inventor of the Balling Method, explains everything (in English).