Dosing Recommendation

[Cscultho]

I am looking to start dosing Calcium, Alkalinity and pH. My tank is total volume of 70 gallons and i want to know which direction i should go based on experiences?

1) 2-part dosing (BRS Method w/ dosing pumps)
2) Kalkwasser (manual dose or dosing pump)

thanks....

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Do you know what your alk consumption is ?

Both are fine methods , you’ll need more kalk (vol) , than most two parts I’m familiar with.

I went with two part, as I don’t have space to allow for the size of container for the kalk I would need.

 

[Cscultho]

Do you know what your alk consumption is ?

Both are fine methods , you’ll need more kalk (vol) , than most two parts I’m familiar with.

I went with two part, as I don’t have space to allow for the size of container for the kalk I would need.

Im waiting for my test kits to arrive so i can confirm my current level. Im leaning towards the BRS 2-part system but i watched a video abut Kalk and it peaked my interest but dont know if in the long run the best approach.

My plan is to have a mixed reef with both soft and hard corals and i know based on my vision i will need to add supplements.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Both are fine long term. But as i got into dosing was the Vol question.

It takes a big container of kalk to do what my two part does. The two part is more concentrated so it takes less. The kalk is far far cheaper though.

Definitely get familiar with the dosing calculator now. It’ll help you see this effect as you punch in different products.

Once you become familiar with your tests , to help avoid some confusion , test the alk either everyday or once a week and see what gets used (alk cal deplete mostly evenly).
That dkh is what you’ll have to put back in evenly to cal.

 

[Cscultho]

@saltyfilmfolks i will be pinging you in the next 2 weeks when i get my 2-part system.

You brought up a good point regarding water volume and product used. Long term it seems easier to manage and hands off is my goal.

thanks.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Your welcome. I have a small cabinet on on tank , and basically no cabinet for the small tank.

So a 2.5 gal container for Kalk just wouldn’t work for me.

 

[Cscultho]

@saltyfilmfolks just received my BRS 2-part doser and test kits, Mg, Ca, KH/ALK. I tested the water yesterday and here are my results.

-Ca - 400
-Mg - 1200
-KH/Alk - 10.2

I have not dosed anything ever nor hooked up the 2-part. What are your recommendations from here?

I have a 6-fish in my DT. Im done stocking fish but im light on corals. I want to get more hard corals. Current coral stock is:

-superman
-trumpet
-zoa's
-carpet anemone
-hammer

all corals are very small frags.

Not sure if i need to hook up the 2-part doser???

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I wouldn’t worry really, Your alk and cal look fine right now.

May as well hook it up and get the feel for it. Look at perhaps a minimal dose in the middle of the night Just to bump ph a tiny bit.


I do reccomend when starting with testing doing it twice at first to rule out error. You alk is on the higher end and that’s fine, but it seems like close to fresh mixed salt.

I would also reccomend maybe testing alk again tomorrow and see if you can find your approximate usage.
For ease , most or many will just test alk. As cal alk and mag fall evenly , alk will give an indication of all three.

Might want to shop for corals too.

Here’s a pretty nice little walk through on setting a dose.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/joejaw...19/the-right-way-to-use-2-part-additives/amp/

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I agree. No need to dose at the moment.

 

[madweazl]

I made it about a year before dosing was necessary but didn't have a lot of demanding corals through that period either. Prior to that, water changes and some baking soda in my top off water for alkalinity were more than enough.