Dosing dKH and Cal

[Cliff519]

After stocking my tank with a good amount for corals, I kept a really close eye on the dkh and Cal levels. Before adding any corals my dkh was stable at just under 10 and my Cal right around 400. I started with recording the test results at the beginning of the week and then at the end. I would then dose to bring level up to were they were at the beginning of the week so I would know the exact amount the tank used and would only replace that amount. It worked out to about 1/3 of the recommended dose amounts for a tank my size which works out to 120 gallons after adding in the water in the sump.

After using a weekly dosing approach (dosing dkh and Cal on different days) I starting noticing the corals would show a little stress the day after dosing. So now we’ve start dosing daily. I’ve listed the routine below:

Monday - 3ml of dkh
Tuesday – 2ml of Cal
Wednesday – 3ml of dkh and ½ dose of coral food
Thursday – 2ml of Cal
Friday – 3 ml of dkh
Saturday – 2 ml of Cal
Sunday – 3ml dkh and ½ dose of coral food

All other parameters are OK (0 phosphates nitrates nitrite and ammoina, PH 8.2, salinity 1.025)

I’m just wondering if this is the same type of routine that anyone else uses or if there is a better way ?

 

[jworth]

wow thats deep. I dont test that stuff at all! I suppose I should but corals seem to do ok. I guess maybe they would do better if I did. Sounds like you are doing a nice job!

 

[Cliff519]

wow thats deep. I dont test that stuff at all! I suppose I should but corals seem to do ok. I guess maybe they would do better if I did. Sounds like you are doing a nice job!

Thx

Weekly water changes with a good quality salt will help maintain all of the levels if you only have a small amount of saoft corals. I least I never had to dose anything with that type of stocking.

but since I've started to add a few SPS corals, I really need to keep an eye on everything a lot closer

 

[FLESHY]

You can get away with h2o changes for a lot more than just softies in my mind...if you are using a high quality reef salt.

Where you run into problems is when you start having large, fast growing sps colonies.

I have had some issues, but gotten away with 2 part dosing on my 75g tank which used to be packed with large SPS colonies...montis acros and milles

I could have done more, and seen better growth, but I was getting away with it, and h2o changes were bi to quad weekly.

I would recommend looking into two, or three part dosing for your system and its new needs...once you get to that point. Go to www.bulkreefsupply.com

They do good dosing kits, and everything has a pretty good price.

 

[thisissimple]

if you are going to rely on dosing, every other day always seemed to be the best for me, every day was too tedious, and weekly seemed to shock the critters. I use Kalk in my topoff and with my mixed reef setup and it keeps my alk and ca rock solid. Remember we are shooting for stability, not neccessarily a certain number. That being said, daily is probably the way to go, or like Fleshy pointed out, dosing pumps are good for this too.

 

[Cliff519]

Thanks guys

I'm going to start looking into these suggestions

Great info as always

 

[jworth]

good info. I am going to look into this dosing stuff too. I suppose I should start looking into parameters more in depth now as well. I would love reactors to make it self sustaining minus water changes.

 

[FLESHY]

Thanks guys

I'm going to start looking into these suggestions

Great info as always

Fleshy brothers at it again...

I used to dose calcium two part only weekly....and I noticed that my corals would shock from that...they would all turn a lighter color for two or three days. So just a testimony on what my brother was talking about.

Aside from that, the two part kits can be automated with pumps and a reefcontroller quite easily, but that adds to cost.

The best way to do it, is smaller portions, more frequently. The dosing kits on BRS are idiot proof, even a house sitter could do it for you.

good info. I am going to look into this dosing stuff too. I suppose I should start looking into parameters more in depth now as well. I would love reactors to make it self sustaining minus water changes.

Yea, reactors can definitely do you a bit of good...Im planning on running at least two on the reef Im currently setting up.

 

[Cliff519]

Thx Fleshy

I've been looking into auto dosing set-ups

I want to get to the point of daily dosing were I don't have to worry

 

[FLESHY]

The dosing pumps, reef controller and their large dosing containers would be perfect for you.