Coral and Dosing Equipment Advice

[lterna]

Hello all,

I am currently cycling my very first saltwater tank. I have the Red Sea Reefer 350. The long term vision for the tank is to have a mixed reef tank. Since the cycle is underway, I am starting to plan out what my first couple additions to the tank will be. I was thinking about just getting two clowns to start. As for first corals, was thinking a zoa, since I am in love with their color options, and maybe another soft coral.

Would you guys recommend investing in a doser/other dosing equipment prior to getting any corals? If so, any advice on what to go with? I don't currently have the budget to invest in an apex neptune controller, and I know that neptune makes a dosing system. Ideally I will able to invest in one in the future. Anyway, I just wanted to get some advice on whether or not I should get some dosing system prior to adding any corals at all, or if I can add a few that don't really require the addition of any supplements and get one later.

 

[Bryknicks]

No, it is not necessary to invest in a doser until you need one. Even with a stocked mixed reef you could get away with just water changes. The best advice would be to get quality testing kits and only dose when you notice a steady consumption of the major elements (Alk, CA, MAG). In softie tank dosing isn't necessary as they do not uptake nearly the same amount of Alk, Ca as LPS or SPS corals.

 

[lterna]

No, it is not necessary to invest in a doser until you need one. Even with a stocked mixed reef you could get away with just water changes. The best advice would be to get quality testing kits and only dose when you notice a steady consumption of the major elements (Alk, CA, MAG). In softie tank dosing isn't necessary as they do not uptake nearly the same amount of Alk, Ca as LPS or SPS corals.

Thanks!