Dosing help

bknapp · Apr 19, 2014

schooleyosis said:
I would measure every day but make changes every 3-4 days on your timers/dosers. This gives you "room" to adjust for testing errors/inconsistencies.

I wanted to figure out usage and set up the pumps to dose close to those amounts and slowly adjust up down depending from there.

I've been testing every day and will continue to until I'm confident that I will be as consistent as possible.

schooleyosis · Apr 19, 2014

Mild adjustments made no closer than 2-3 days between. I'm talking 10-20mL additions/subtractions roughly 4 days apart. It will take a month or so to dial it in but you'll get it. If you're doing water changes often I'd try to match the params of your makeup water.

bknapp · Apr 19, 2014

The salt I use is right inside the range I'm aiming for.

I'm aiming for alkalinity to be from 8.4-9 and calcium to be around 430-460. The fresh salt mix averages 8.4-8.6 Alkalinity and 420-445 calcium.

Slow changes are best. I will probably set the dosers to the low side of my desired range and slowly work it toward the middle of that range. (8.6, 435)

schooleyosis · Apr 19, 2014

Good plan. Slow and steady wins the race

bknapp · Apr 19, 2014

Thanks Ryan

schooleyosis · Apr 19, 2014

No problem. I'm going through the same battle as you. I had gone through this about 7 months ago and had it tuned in but then went stick crazy at the swap and now my params are all over the place. Trying to dial it in as well. Just remember, mild... Not wild for changes.

bknapp · Apr 19, 2014

I'm even more lost now.

My alkalinity went down from 9 to 7.6 but my calcium went up from 435 to 470. The dosers were off only thing dosed was some Kalk in my top off, lost about 2.5 gallons I'm adding 1/8 tablespoon per gallon of water.

And according to the BRS calculator I would need 128.5mL of alkalinity to get my alkalinity from 7.6 to 8.6 which comes to about 117 minutes or 9:45 twelve times a day.

Does this all seem right?

schooleyosis · Apr 20, 2014

I have no experience with Kalk so I cannot comment

bknapp · Apr 20, 2014

schooleyosis said:
I have no experience with Kalk so I cannot comment

I think after the amount in my top off box I will discontinue use of it. I think it's the base of my issues even with the small amount I'm using.

schooleyosis · Apr 20, 2014

No consistency with it. That's what I don't like.

bknapp · Apr 20, 2014

schooleyosis said:
No consistency with it. That's what I don't like.

Which is why several people have switched to the stirrer controlled by their controller.

bknapp · Apr 26, 2014

I quit using kalkwasser in my top off and parameters have been much more stable. Getting closer to having it nailed down.

mike007 · Apr 26, 2014

I have had better luck maintaining parameters with 2-part. I quit using kalk and now my levels stay very stable. I dose calcium and alkalinity 24 times a day.

bknapp · Apr 26, 2014

mike007 said:
I have had better luck maintaining parameters with 2-part. I quit using kalk and now my levels stay very stable. I dose calcium and alkalinity 24 times a day.

What is your dosing schedule? You dose each 24 times daily?

mike007 · Apr 26, 2014

The easiest way is to test your parameters and then get them to level you want them. Then go 3 days without dosing and then test again. Divide your results by three and that will tell you your daily consumption. Then you can go to the reef calculator and determine how much you need to add to maintain. Most people use 2-part bulk additives. Then I have my doser set up to deliver 24 small doses of alk. and ca. each day. This way your tank will be more stable without all the up and down swings.