Dosing alk, cal, and mag

Chiefmaster30 · May 15, 2017

Can anyone help me out with any advice when dosing these 3 main elements. I'm currently dosing seachem reef fusion 1 and 2 and seachem's reef advantage magnesium. I have a 120 gallon tank with a 30 gallon sump. I'm dosing 23mg of 1 and 2 and 6 teaspoons of the mag. Daily. My question is when I reach the levels I'm wanting to reach do I continue dosing the same amount or do I cut the dos? I'm assuming I would cut the dose or dose less often but.... next question: what do I cut the dose to? And how often? Thanks in advance!

Chiefmaster30 · May 15, 2017

Tank is 2 yrs old. All my parameters have remained pretty stable besides occasionally dosing mag and calcium until a couple weeks ago I tested and everything was way low. As in:
Cal 340
Alk 7
Mag 1100

Chiefmaster30 · May 18, 2017

Anyone?

redfishbluefish · May 18, 2017

Might want to take a look at this:

How Much Two Part do I Need

Randy Holmes-Farley · May 18, 2017

You will need to match the dosing to the demand, at least to the demand for alkalinity It is the main one to monitor for over or under dosing.

Xclusive Reef · May 19, 2017

Anyone use the Prestone to make Calcium ? I want to hear opinions and how much you used to make 1 gal?

https://www.lowes.com/pd/50-lb-Bag-...f64f4dc3c312&gclid=COyQ28j3_NMCFdlWDQodP8EKIA

redfishbluefish · May 20, 2017

I've been using Prestone Driveway Heat since 2008. Because it has less associated water than Dow Flakes, you only need 2 cups per gallon. Note, when mixing with water, it's exothermic......it's going to get fairly warm.

Xclusive Reef · May 20, 2017

redfishbluefish said:
I've been using Prestone Driveway Heat since 2008. Because it has less associated water than Dow Flakes, you only need 2 cups per gallon. Note, when mixing with water, it's exothermic......it's going to get fairly warm.

thanks for the info. how do you mix yours?

redfishbluefish · May 20, 2017

I use a one gallon jug (old vinegar jug), and using a wide mouth funnel I dump in two cups of Prestone. Fill up the gallon jug with RO/DI and immediately cap and start to shake the jug. I do this immediate shaking because I'm concerned about the localized heat produced in the bottom of the jug.

Xclusive Reef · May 20, 2017

redfishbluefish said:
I use a one gallon jug (old vinegar jug), and using a wide mouth funnel I dump in two cups of Prestone. Fill up the gallon jug with RO/DI and immediately cap and start to shake the jug. I do this immediate shaking because I'm concerned about the localized heat produced in the bottom of the jug.

awesome man. Do you dose mag? if so you have a recipe for it?

steelwrap · May 20, 2017

Google randy's 2 part. 64 oz Epsom salt with enough water to make a gallon

redfishbluefish · May 20, 2017

steelwrap said:
Google randy's 2 part. 64 oz Epsom salt with enough water to make a gallon

You can dose just Epsom salt, however you can end up with an excess sulfate problem. Better off following Randy's recipe 1, 3A.....3 cups Epsom salt plus 5 cup magnesium chloride. For magnesium chloride you can use Mag Flakes (an ice melt product) or purchase from BRS.

FYI, HERE's the link to Randy's recipes.