Dosing guestion

[epetrillo]

I have a small tank (50 gal including sump) that will eventually be a mixed reef. While I'm not ready to add corals yet the tank is cycled and has had a pair of small clowns in it for the past 2 weeks. Today I tested my cal, alk and mag just out of curiosity. Calcium was 390, alk was 11.5 dkh and mag was 1400. As I understand it my cal is low and the other 2 normal to high. If this balance continues will I be able to use All for Reef or do I need to even things up first?

 

[lapin]

Calcium was 390, alk was 11.5 dkh and mag was 1400.
As I understand it my cal is low and the other 2 normal to high.

Correct

If this balance continues will I be able to use All for Reef or do I need to even things up first?

I dont see why the numbers would not work.
Your tank is young and water will change as things grow over the next year.

Are you currently using All for Reef ?
I see no need to add the product when your numbers are just fine with the salt mix your are using

 

[epetrillo]

No not dosing anything yet. Figured I didn't need to until I start adding corals. Just wondering about dosing 1 part when balance is off.

 

[lapin]

It is safe to dose any part that you are low on.
More info

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php

 

[Billdogg]

All of those parameters are within normal limits IMO. I wouldn't dose a thing sat this point, and even after you add stony corals you probably won't have to for awhile. Regular water changes can easily keep things within range until the corals grow out some.

jm.02

 

[ChaosAquaculture]

your calcium could be bumped up to the 400-440 range safely. Your alkalinity is out of the comfort range for softies such as zoas or mushrooms. they prefer the 7.8-8.6 range. - kali

 

[X-37B]

Those numbers will work.
What alk, ca, mag levels did you decide on running before you setup the system?
You really need to have a plan for your system prior to setup.
Pick the levels you want to run and focus on keeping them in range is the best advice I could give.
Testing to see where you are at is guessing and not a plan for success, imo.

 

[epetrillo]

Thanks for the advise guys. I am really new to this. My plan at least at first was to balance the water parameters and then use a 1 part product such as "all for reef". Not much of a plan I guess but I'm learning. The tank was cycled using bottled bacteria and ammonia. My pair of clowns and 5 blue legged hermets have been doing good for 2 weeks now.