You also have other alternatives to alk/cal supplementing. You can get get the ingredients and mix your own solution and people even make their own 2-part solutions. I only mention that because I've heard the B-Ionic can get expensive for what you get. No personal experience there though. I personally use BRS 2-part. Seems to last me quite awhile. Only had to restock once after about a year of dosing. I did get a bigger tank in that period though.