Alch and calc used up

[Saltfishlover]

If I just keep soft coral in my tank will I still need to dose calcium and alch? Will it get used up by anything else in my tank?

 

[reef lover]

Corraline will eat it up but i just do water changes on my nem tank to keep up.with elements.

 

[Waters]

If I just keep soft coral in my tank will I still need to dose calcium and alch? Will it get used up by anything else in my tank?

It all depends on your water change schedule. If you do weekly water changes and all you are keeping is softies you shouldn't need to dose.

 

[Saltfishlover]

And that's 10% change a week?

 

[Waters]

And that's 10% change a week?

That is definitely a good starting point...you might need less or you might need more. I would start with 10% and test the water. Test for ALK, Ca, Phosphates, and Nitrates. As long as those numbers are where you want them, stick with your 10%. If ALK and Ca are being depleted (or Phosphates and Nitrates are higher than you want), then you can increase it to 15% weekly.

 

[nereefpat]

I would argue that if you aren't keeping stony corals, there is no reason to test for or dose alk or Ca.

 

[Saltfishlover]

So a depletion of these while just having soft corals is ok?

 

[Waters]

So a depletion of these while just having soft corals is ok?

No....not necessarily. Some soft coral have small Sclerites within their tissue, which requires them to have Alk and Ca available. Water changes alone is normally enough to keep levels where they need to be though.