Dosing advice.

fernalfer · May 4, 2017

Ok i just received my new GHL Doser 2.1 with 4 pump heads. I'm at the point where my SPS corals are slowly growing in numbers and want to try and maintain as stable parameters as possible.

Few questions:

-Where do you guys normally run the output lines from the pump? I will be dosing 2 part and was wondering what part of the sump the output lines should be placed.

-Do you guys dose your daily amount all at once or do you split it up throughout the day?

-What is the best way to start this process meaning the best way to get the parameters stable (Calcium&Alkalinity). Just not sure how much to start dosing to get it there.

-Also what kind of tubing do you use? Just regular air pump tubing? Mine did not come with any

any help would be greatly appreciated.

morpheas · May 4, 2017

-Where do you guys normally run the output lines from the pump? I will be dosing 2 part and was wondering what part of the sump the output lines should be placed.
The return pump chamber for me. Whatever you choose make sure there is good agitation.

-Do you guys dose your daily amount all at once or do you split it up throughout the day?
I split the doses in small ones for my carbonate. I dose calcium in one shot.

-What is the best way to start this process meaning the best way to get the parameters stable (Calcium&Alkalinity). Just not sure how much to start dosing to get it there.
First measure your levels. Then, BRS has some nifty calculators for the common additives (calcium chloride and sodium carbonate). I would start there. If you're a control freak like me and don't mind the math, you can actually make a spreadsheet with the calculations your self.

-Also what kind of tubing do you use? Just regular air pump tubing? Mine did not come with any
Regular air line tubing is fine. I prefer the silicone one since it's more flexible but that's just me.

blkhwkz · May 4, 2017

fernalfer said:
Ok i just received my new GHL Doser 2.1 with 4 pump heads. I'm at the point where my SPS corals are slowly growing in numbers and want to try and maintain as stable parameters as possible.

Few questions:

-Where do you guys normally run the output lines from the pump? I will be dosing 2 part and was wondering what part of the sump the output lines should be placed.

-Do you guys dose your daily amount all at once or do you split it up throughout the day?

-What is the best way to start this process meaning the best way to get the parameters stable (Calcium&Alkalinity). Just not sure how much to start dosing to get it there.

-Also what kind of tubing do you use? Just regular air pump tubing? Mine did not come with any
any help would be greatly appreciated.

- I dose in the return chamber of the sump

- Have the dosing for both split up so they dose the total amount over 24 hours, have them offset by 8 minutes

-Test for 3 nights and see what your average daily consumption is and then use the BRS or Marine Depot calculators (I use the MD ones because they happen to have the products I use, ESV, in their calculator)

saltyfilmfolks · May 4, 2017

morpheas said:
-Where do you guys normally run the output lines from the pump? I will be dosing 2 part and was wondering what part of the sump the output lines should be placed.
The return pump chamber for me. Whatever you choose make sure there is good agitation.

-Do you guys dose your daily amount all at once or do you split it up throughout the day?
I split the doses in small ones for my carbonate. I dose calcium in one shot.

-What is the best way to start this process meaning the best way to get the parameters stable (Calcium&Alkalinity). Just not sure how much to start dosing to get it there.
First measure your levels. Then, BRS has some nifty calculators for the common additives (calcium chloride and sodium carbonate). I would start there. If you're a control freak like me and don't mind the math, you can actually make a spreadsheet with the calculations your self.

-Also what kind of tubing do you use? Just regular air pump tubing? Mine did not come with any
Regular air line tubing is fine. I prefer the silicone one since it's more flexible but that's just me.

blkhwkz said:
- I dose in the return chamber of the sump

- Have the dosing for both split up so they dose the total amount over 24 hours, have them offset by 8 minutes

-Test for 3 nights and see what your average daily consumption is and then use the BRS or Marine Depot calculators (I use the MD ones because they happen to have the products I use, ESV, in their calculator)

+1

When I started dosing, I went slow(how rare for me), I under dosed. I set the first dose at 6am when the ph was lowest. As I went I added (in pairs C/A 30 min apart) doses. The second dose is now at midnight(demand and usage is highest). As demand increases I will add doses around the clock in smaller amounts.

fernalfer · May 4, 2017

Thanks everyone that has replied so far. As for getting started with dosing, do you add just calcium if it isn't at the ratio you want it? For instance what if you liked where your Alk is but wanted Calcium higher or vise versa?

I notice a lot of people say to dose those in equal amounts until stable parameters are reached.

saltyfilmfolks · May 4, 2017

I dose evenly. Ill get fancy when I see some proof it actually makes a big difference.
I highly recommend reading Randy F.. You'll see why it actually kinda doesnt.

fernalfer · May 7, 2017

ok i have my parameters where i want them ALK and Calcium that is. Now i started dosing them evenly but only at 15ml each a day for a 120 gallon tank. Not sure if that is to low to start off or keep testing to find out.

What i'm looking for is when the numbers stay stable and i keep that amount in ml a day? Correct?
Should i test daily to figure this out?

saltyhog · May 7, 2017

You will have to test more often for a while.

I dose alkalinity every hour on the hour and calcium at the bottom of every hour.

I don't dose equal amounts of alkalinity and calcium. If I do my calcium rises and my alkalinity stays stable.

saltyfilmfolks · May 8, 2017

fernalfer said:
What i'm looking for is when the numbers stay stable and i keep that amount in ml a day? Correct?

yes.

and look at the directions on the bottle as well. It will give you an estimate in the safe zone based on the gallons of water. You are well under that dose.