*NEW* Nyos Ion-B | SR Unfiltered Review
A True Two Part But More Advanced
Nyos ION-B 2 Part
Quick Summary
We reviewed the Nyos Ion-B additive line and came away impressed. It is a liquid, multi-part two-part system that includes alkalinity, calcium/magnesium, and three separate ion element blends. It can help elevate pH, addresses magnesium and potassium, and gives you adjustable trace element dosing rather than a single one-size-fits-all reef trace bottle. Priced against our SR concentration standard it works out to about $24.14, putting it in the middle of the pack — but remember that the three 250ml bottles are sized to last multiple refills, which increases value over time. If Nyos releases a dry version as planned, we expect the cost to drop because shipping dry chemicals removes the weight and cost of shipping liters of water-based solution..
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Overall Impressions and Scores
Nyos did more than just another me-too two-part and targets reefers who have some specific desires.
A true two-part that only requires two dosing heads. Two jugs also makes dosing by hand easy.
Contains major, minor, and trace elements. Factors in coral uptake as well as salinity/dilution.
The ability to adjust trace elements but doesn’t require you to play mad scientist with individual elements.
Moderate cost. Not the cheapest option but less than half of the cost of the most expensive 2 parts we reviewed.
Based on that, Terence was ready to score it a 9.5 out of 10 right away. Ryan gave it a 7 out of 10 initially, with a clear caveat: A dosing calculator needs to be available. If that oversight is resolved, the score jumps dramatically. We believe the product is absolutely recommendable and may become our go-to liquid additive...if the rough edges are smoothed out.
Price and What You Get
The kit we evaluated is competitively priced at $39.98 for a 2L set of solution. The solution was almost twice as concentrated as some two parts we tested which increases the value and decreases refill frequency. $50.97 for the three trace elements which have enough solution to make six sets of 2L Ion-B. The SR standardized concentration cost is $24.14*. That price point includes magnesium, potassium and a blend of trace/minor elements, which puts it among the lower cost options once you factor in “complete kit” pricing.
Ion-B Concentration: 10,000 DKH/L
Ion-B Cost: $48.47 2 liter set with 40ml of each trace.
10,000 DKH/L Standard: $24.14
*SR has developed a standardized cost for two part because You’re not paying for water, you’re paying for the salts dissolved in it. The SR Standardized Concentration Cost (SR-SCC) levels the playing field by calculating cost based on a standardized concentration of 10,000 dKH per liter. In short, SR-SCC shows how much of any reviewed additive is required to reach that same 10,000 dKH per-liter equivalent, making it easier to evaluate what you are really getting for your money.
What does Nyos Ion-B bring to the table?
Liquid, out-of-the-box chemistry — no powder mixing required
True two-part alkalinity and calcium system
Three separate ion element bottles (Ion Elements 1, 2, 3) that let you adjust trace elements within a window rather than accepting a single fixed formulation
Includes magnesium and potassium so you do not need separate dosing for those major ions in most systems.
Formulation raises pH (carbonate based) similar to other soda ash two-parts
ION-B Liquid
ION ELEMENTS 1 CA/MG
ION ELEMENTS 2 CA/MG
ION ELEMENTS 3 ALK/PH
Chemistry and Why the Multipart Approach Matters
Nyos Ion-B is not just alkalinity and calcium. The product is designed to be flexible with trace elements. Instead of dumping all minor and trace elements into one "reef trace" bottle, Nyos gives you three Ion Element bottles. Each bottle can be added in a range — suggested range is 10 to 20 milliliters per liter of the final concentrate added into the two-part. Because their starter concentrate is a 2 liter kit, that translates to roughly 20 to 40 milliliters per 2 liter batch.
That creates a useful window. If you want to stay conservative and rely on regular water changes, use the lower end. If you track an ICP and see specific trace depletions, you can add more from the appropriate bottle to correct for that element. In short, Nyos gives you control rather than hiding behind a single fixed trace mix.
Why Calcium Has Three Bottles
One detail we dug into is why the calcium portion arrives as three bottles (1 Ca/Mg bottle and 2 Ion Element bottles.) There actually is a technical reason: some elements (iron and similar minor elements) need an acidic environment to stay in solution. One of the calcium Ion bottles has a lower pH to keep those components dissolved and prevent precipitation. When you add the small dose of those low-pH components into the full two-part batch, dilution prevents precipitation. It is a nerdy but sensible solution and we appreciate seeing the engineering thought behind it.
ION-B CA/MG+ Liquid.
Add to CA/MG+ jug. Contains: Molybdenum, Rubidium, Strontium
Add to CA/MG+ jug. Contains: chromium, iron, cobalt, copper, manganese, nickel, vanadium, zinc
Dosing, Dosing Pumps, and Daily Operation
Since the end result is a true two-part, you only need two dosing pumps for daily maintenance. The alkalinity side is soda ash based so you should dose it slowly the same way you would any other high-pH two-part to avoid pH spikes.
We recommend starting with the conservative end of the Ion Elements range (20ml per 2 liter bottle) unless you are actively tracking elements with a ICP testing. That provides safe coverage for most mixed tanks and reduces the chance of unintended overdosing.
Versa Peristaltic Dosing Pump
Simplicity 4-Head Dosing Pump
Drew's Doser v2.0 Dosing Pump
BRS 2 Part Doser - 1.1 mL per minute
Adjustments and Limitations
The multipart approach is powerful, but not perfect for every scenario. Nyos pairs calcium and magnesium together in the calcium part. That means independent, fine-tuned adjustments of magnesium versus calcium are more difficult. If you need to raise magnesium alone, you will either keep a separate Nyos magnesium jug on hand or source a standalone magnesium product with its own calculator.
In practice, most tanks with a sensible water-change schedule and a good salt mix will not require frequent independent magnesium corrections. The alkalinity side is largely pure alkalinity, so making independent alkalinity corrections remains easy.
Calculator and Support
Two-part products live or die by the availability of easy calculators that tell you exactly how much to add for your tank volume and current test results. Initially, Nyos did not have a public reefing calculator on vendor sites we checked and that was a blocker for us. We pushed hard on this and Nyos recognized the need and engaged with major retailers and platforms to add calculators. With a proper calculator in place — enter tank size and current levels and it tells you exactly how much to dose — the product immediately becomes far more usable for the average reefer.
Subjective Purity
Clarity: the mixed solutions were crystal clear, which is generally a good indication that high quality raw materials were used to make the product.
Final Verdict
We went in thinking this might be another run-of-the-mill two-part product. After digging into the chemistry and usage patterns: We came away impressed! The multipart trace element approach gives more control and the liquid, ready-to-dose format removes a lot of the hassle hobbyists dislike about powders. The true two-part system keeps daily operation simple with only two pumps required. The few negatives are fixable: the initial lack of a calculator was a significant miss and the pairing of calcium and magnesium makes very fine independent adjustments less convenient for those rare systems that need them.
"We were so close to giving it a 10 out of 10.”
If Nyos follows through on calculators and a dry option, Nyos Ion-B will be a top contender and might even change how we think about liquid additives versus calcium reactors.
Suggestions For Those Starting Nyos Ion-B...
Start with the low end of the Ion Elements range unless you have ICP data showing specific depletion.
Use two dosing pumps — one for alkalinity and one for calcium/magnesium — dose alkalinity slowly.
Keep regular water changes and test periodically; run an ICP every six months to a year to validate element levels and adjust the Ion Elements dosing if needed.
If magnesium drifts, add a standalone magnesium product rather than trying to correct via the calcium mix.
NYOS ION-B FAQ
What is Nyos Ion-B and what does it include?
Nyos Ion-B is a liquid, multi-part additive system that produces a ready-to-dose two-part calcium/alkalinity solution. It includes an alkalinity bottle, two calcium/magnesium bottles, and three separate Ion Element bottles for trace and minor elements.
Does Nyos Ion-B address magnesium and potassium?
Yes. Magnesium and potassium are included in the calcium side and Ion Elements respectively, so you do not need separate routine dosing for those in most tanks.
Why are there three calcium bottles in total?
One of the calcium bottles has a low pH to keep iron and similar elements in solution and prevent precipitation. When diluted into the final two-part batch the low-pH components are not an issue in the aquarium.
Is Nyos Ion-B easy to mix and dose?
Yes. Everything comes in liquid form and the final system works as a two-part, so daily dosing is straightforward and only requires two dosing pumps. Dose the alkalinity side slowly the same way you would any soda ash based two-part.
How pure are the solutions?
Subjective purity is excellent. The calcium, magnesium and alkalinity solutions were crystal clear with no visible particulates. The trace elements do have a color but dissolves clear when diluted in the larger bottles.
Is there a dosing calculator available?
Initially there was no public calculator on major vendor sites, but Nyos responded to feedback and is working with retailers to add calculators so users can enter tank volume and current test results and get exact dosing guidance.
How much does Nyos Ion-B cost?
Using our SR concentration standard the upfront cost was about $24.14. Three 250 milliliter bottles are sized to provide six refill sets, which improves ongoing value. A future dry mix option should further reduce cost by lowering shipping weight.
Will this replace a calcium reactor?
For some of us it might. We normally prefer calcium reactors, but the convenience, control, and potential cost advantages of a dry version make Nyos Ion-B a real contender as an alternative to reactors for many reef keepers.
Acknowledgments
Thank you to Terence Fugazzi for sharing his knowledge with the SR community. Thank you to Ryan Thompson for summarizing the video and making it available to everyone.
Thank you to the Serious Reefs community. Your membership funds the creation of articles and videos like this one.
What’s Next?
We will continue comparing Nyos Ion-B to other established additive systems. Next up in our review lineup is a refreshed Red Sea multi-part system, so stay tuned for how Nyos stacks up against long-standing four-part kits and other market leaders.
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