Auto doseing trace elements question

[ddc0715]

So I want to auto dose my reef plus by seachem via my neptune dos an ddr. The instructions say refrigerate 3 months AFTER (key word after) opening. Does this mean that once opened its good to go for up to three months with out refrigeration? Given my tank size I will have used all of it way before then.? I have made a black wrap for one of the ddr containers to aid in no light an I plan on using rodi tubing as well. I know the dos can pull fluid an return fluid to the container so this should aid in no trace fluid hanging out in the lines.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

It says refrigerate after opening.

The concern is the organics in it, degrading or being consumed by bacteria, especially if you dilute it. It's like a bacterial buffet of amino acids and vitamins..

Seachem - Reef Plus

www.seachem.com

Directions
Use 1 capful (5 mL) for each 80 L (20 US gallons) twice a week or as required to maintain coral growth. May also be used in food by mixing 1 mL in about 15 mL (1 tablespoon) of food. Refrigerate after opening.

 

[ddc0715]

well the bottle reads differently, very odd. per the math, I need 90mls a week or (13 mls daily) so that puts me at about 1080 MLS dosed before the 3month window closes. I have 1000mls. I just want to be sure not to add spoiled liquids to the tank. if I had 2000 mls then I would be worried. i think this will work out fine.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

There's no product that I have ever heard of that can sit at room temp for 3 months THEN need refrigeration.

 

[ddc0715]

Can you educate me on what controls a product (reef additives) to be refrigerated. Ovbiously foods like phyto, mysis an pods just to name a few but I see alot of products in many videos that are just left out or are someone's shelves. This reef plus is a good example of the do I or should keep cold 24/7. What is your rule of thumb?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

The usual thing that makes a product need refrigeration is chemical instability (like Covid vaccines) or biological instability (bacteria will grow in it).

The latter is most important for liquid products that contain organics like amino acids, fatty acids, and vitamins, but both can apply.

Some products containing these things can be so salty or concentrated that bacteria cannot thrive in it, so may not need refrigeration.

I expect that a product needing refrigeration will typically say so on it.

 

[ddc0715]

Problem solved I drilled out my mini fridge.

 

[Bume]

Hahaha! Big brain solution right there! When in doubt, drill it out

 

[Uncle99]

Seachem Plus includes trace, vitamins and aminos.
Seachem Trace only includes trace, so no refrigerator.

While I do auto dose trace elements, the aminos I do manually as they seem to clog up my doser

But that, is a mute point now.

Nice.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

FWIW, I used a similar cold setup do autodose arctipods, but it was two nested styrofoam ice chests with frozen milk jugs swapped in occasionally.