Dosing question

[Jakepen]

Hey guys, I want some oppionions. I have a fusion 30l, (not wet yet, still doing research and gathering equipment) I plan on growing large amount of lps (no sps anytime soon). I want to dose, but am still a bit cloudy on the subject. I've looked into BRS two part, fauna marin and Red Sea has a nice kit, with all there trace elements (are the additional trace elements that beneficial?). I would like to dose by hand for a while, to really understand the method, and to just be more hands on with my tank. Eventually will incorporate a doser. My question is, which of these brands work and work well? I like the look of the Red Sea kit, but not sure if it comes with enough for the cost (http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/red-sea-coral-package.html). The other two I'm not going to post the link as I'm sure most of you are familiar.

 

[aaron23]

the water changes replace the trace elements. i use the brs 2part and it works well and its cheap. my tank is mainly sps. keep it simple.

 

[Jakepen]

the water changes replace the trace elements. i use the brs 2part and it works well and its cheap. my tank is mainly sps. keep it simple.

Really? So the reef color A-D and reef energy, is most of that just exaggerated titles, to help marketing? Entice newbies like me per say? Are the trace elements that Red Sea include, all replenished with regular water change?

 

[TheEngineer]

I personally don't like the crazy complex methods. Your tank is small enough that you can keep up with depletion with just water changes. I just started dosing 2-part in my 50g since water changes weren't enough to maintain my alk levels. I don't think you need to dose these crazy approaches to be successful. They are also generally geared towards ultra-low nutrient systems for SPS.

 

[Jakepen]

Ok thanks guys. Anybody have experience with BRS dosers?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Ok thanks guys. Anybody have experience with BRS dosers?

I use them for vinegar and liquid food and they seem fine.

 

[Jakepen]

I use them for vinegar and liquid food and they seem fine.

Would you suggest dosing by hand at first? I want to be very involved with my tank, I feel like that is how I will learn. As opposed to making the tank run off computers. I am looking for stability though.

 

[Jakepen]

What do you guys think?

 

[Diesel]

Really? So the reef color A-D and reef energy, is most of that just exaggerated titles, to help marketing? Entice newbies like me per say? Are the trace elements that Red Sea include, all replenished with regular water change?

Most of the bottles do make sense but some refer to it as snake oil.

 

[Jakepen]

Most of the bottles do make sense but some refer to it as snake oil.

I can see that. I'm curious though, I'm new to this hobby. Want to learn as much as I can, and don't want to take a bunch of shortcuts. Should I start out dosing my tank by hand? Or implement pumps right off the bat for stability.

 

[sevens_up77]

You should do water test every day once you have it decently stocked and determine your ca, kh, and mg consumption over the course of a few weeks. Weekly water changes will more than likely keep your levels in a safe area and once you know how much of each your tank is consuming then you can supplement with dosing. But don't just dose to dose, you should be dosing in order to maintain specific numbers in your tank. The best water parameters are those you had the day before.

 

[Jakepen]

You should do water test every day once you have it decently stocked and determine your ca, kh, and mg consumption over the course of a few weeks. Weekly water changes will more than likely keep your levels in a safe area and once you know how much of each your tank is consuming then you can supplement with dosing. But don't just dose to dose, you should be dosing in order to maintain specific numbers in your tank. The best water parameters are those you had the day before.

Great advice, thank you. The best water parameters are those you had the day before.

 

[sevens_up77]

As you were asking about other trace elements I would recommend Red Sea as their foundation A, B, & C includes other trace elements in them that are dosed according to calcium uptake.

 

[Diesel]

Before you go all in on all kinds of bottles just maintain your tank with a weekly water change.
After a few weeks do a Triton test and see where you are on your #.
If you lacking you still can dose for what you missing or are low on.
If you spot on give and take than only a water change will keep you on track.

 

[Jakepen]

Before you go all in on all kinds of bottles just maintain your tank with a weekly water change.
After a few weeks do a Triton test and see where you are on your #.
If you lacking you still can dose for what you missing or are low on.
If you spot on give and take than only a water change will keep you on track.

Even with regular water changes, I would still need to dose alk and calcium wouldn't I? Also what is a triton test

 

[Diesel]

Even with regular water changes, I would still need to dose alk and calcium wouldn't I? Also what is a triton test

It depends.
You just can assume you have to dose.
All you need to know is where you are with your numbers and what your consumption is.

 

[Jakepen]

It depends.
You just can assume you have to dose.
All you need to know is where you are with your numbers and what your consumption is.

Okay thanks. Do you just stay up and and answer questions on here ha?

 

[Diesel]

Sleeping is just a waste of time.
I sleep only about 5 hours or less, in less than 5 hours I get up and answer more questions if that's ok

 

[Jakepen]

Sleeping is just a waste of time.
I sleep only about 5 hours or less, in less than 5 hours I get up and answer more questions if that's ok

Haha perfect, newbies like myself greatly appreciate your help. I myself am lying in a hospital, been awake for almost 30 hours. Instead of sleeping, I'm thinking of questions about my tank, I don't even have set up yet ha.

 

[Jakepen]

Should clarify, I'm in the hospital because my wife and I just had a baby girl! First child, and we are thrilled. Mom and Charlie are doing great, we will be out of here by tomorrow.