Component 1 2 3 - high dosing amounts

[Paul Cooke]

Hi all

I have a 525 litre reef tank full of sps. ALK consumption has steadily been rising to the point where I am now dosing 250ml of each 1 2 3 per day. That's 750 ml in total per day! I literally need to buy two boxes of the 9l packs per month which is so expensive!

My question is, could my all consumption be down to something else, like unbalanced parameters. My magnesium is high (around 1600) and calc is 405. Could these parameters impact the tanks all consumption? Ie if one is too low or too high, more all could be consumed?

Thanks!

 

[vetteguy53081]

Costly it is. Im wondering if you are getting false test readings? That’s a ly of consumption and would hate to hear tank overdosed

 

[Paul Cooke]

Costly it is. Im wondering if you are getting false test readings? That’s a ly of consumption and would hate to hear tank overdosed

Vetteguy I don't think so - daily readings using Hanna kit and I have been going for a year with 6 months of full sps. The good thing is corals are growing like crazy....but it might be time for a cheaper alternative!

 

[SewerynAquaforest]

If it is too expensive you can always use Aquaforest recipe to make Component 123+ from powders and add extra (or not if it will be still too expensive) balanced trace elements from component strong. This will be way more economical. You will measure, mix yourself. If Aquaforest is make that for you in components 123+ it's more expensive

 

[Paul Cooke]

If it is too expensive you can always use Aquaforest recipe to make Component 123+ from powders and add extra (or not if it will be still too expensive) balanced trace elements from component strong. This will be way more economical. You will measure, mix yourself. If Aquaforest is make that for you in components 123+ it's more expensive

Thanks I will think about this! Makes sense to look at other options. Maybe this or a giant calcium reactor[emoji2]

 

[vetteguy53081]

I

Vetteguy I don't think so - daily readings using Hanna kit and I have been going for a year with 6 months of full sps. The good thing is corals are growing like crazy....but it might be time for a cheaper alternative!

agree on costs. I have most of the line and even most on the little 10ml are $10. That’s $1 per ml !
I went to a calc reactor for this reason. I was getting false readings at one point which is why I asked

 

[SewerynAquaforest]

I

agree on costs. I have most of the line and even most on the little 10ml are $10. That’s $1 per ml !
I went to a calc reactor for this reason. I was getting false readings at one point which is why I asked

Reactor will not give you what is in "10ml " bottles from AF. From reactor you will mostly add Kh and Ca. You Have AF Calcium and Kh Buffer in economical packaging and that is a cheap method to add these... but if you want to feed, add individual trace elements, vitamins, amino etc 10ml (or 50ml ) will do the job.. unfortunately reactor will not add you that

 

[vetteguy53081]

I went reactor because my tank is nearly 700 gallons. 50ml bottles last a week to two
That would require a lot of product monthly

 

[SewerynAquaforest]

I went reactor because my tank is nearly 700 gallons. 50ml bottles last a week to two
That would require a lot of product monthly

As above my friend reactor is a good thing but do only a part of needs