Dosing Schedule Suggestions.

Fieryfrog · Jun 6, 2015

So I bought the new supplements that they are starting to carry at Reef Revolution. The Reef Grow products. And I will start dosing Calcium, Mag and Alk.

Is there a preferred time to dose these? I have been reading and get different answers. I was thinking about doing the Calcium and Mag at night after lights out, and Alk first thing in the morning.

Any Thoughts?

redfishbluefish · Jun 6, 2015

Bottom line, I don't think it matters. What is critical is not to dose at the same time in the same location because of precipitation that could occur. So leave a little time between each ingredient dosing....of separate where each is being dosed within your system.

Some will argue that it's best to dose alk at night because of the pH drop from the lack of photosynthesis, but again, I don't think it's a big deal.

I do all my dosing at night (alk and calc)....for no good reason.....and I dose each component at three different times through the night because my controller allows three different times. If my controller only allowed one time, then that's what I'd be doing. I dose Mag manually when needed.

Chameleon · Jun 6, 2015

Yeah what redfish said. Justt dont do alk and calc right at the same time. 15 minutes apart is fine though. I like to break up the doses throughout the day using dosing pumps and timers.

hawkinsrgk · Jun 7, 2015

I agree with redfishbluefish and Tyler.

What I do is dose cal, alk and mag ten min apart every hour with a dosing pump

Fieryfrog · Jun 7, 2015

I really think it may be time for a triple dosing pump.

hawkinsrgk · Jun 7, 2015

I have the bubble magus dosing pump and really like it. It's about 3 years old. I think the newer models are probably better, but if you get one you will be glad you did

Fieryfrog · Jun 7, 2015

I think I will just do it manually. I am actually thinking about selling all the fish and coral. And taking a break for a while. Nick is applying to colleges right now. And I am now realizing how much it will cost. And how much I spend each month on power and products.

hawkinsrgk · Jun 7, 2015

That's too bad, but I understand where you are coming from. I guess Jeff State isn't one of the ones he is applying too? LOL

Fieryfrog · Jun 7, 2015

hawkinsrgk said:
That's too bad, but I understand where you are coming from. I guess Jeff State isn't one of the ones he is applying too? LOL

Haha. Yeah. He want to go to Either University of Minnesota, UMD or ASU. He wants to be a Mechanical Engineer. Not an inexpensive career to learn I guess. Yikes.

Chameleon · Jun 8, 2015

Fieryfrog said:
Haha. Yeah. He want to go to Either University of Minnesota, UMD or ASU. He wants to be a Mechanical Engineer. Not an inexpensive career to learn I guess. Yikes.

Hi Aaron,
Surprised no in state schools made his list. Have you thought about running a low cost reef to cut down on costs? With DC pumps and led lights the electrical cost can be negligible. Water and salt are fairly inexpensive and a fish only or softy heavy tank doesn't require much if any dosing. I know you mentioned getting Reef Revolution's new dosing solutions, but all a tank really needs is baking soda and calcium chloride. This could help with dosing expense. Just some thoughts to consider before taking your tank down.

Rasengan · Jun 8, 2015

i have mine set to dose alk every hour and cal every half past the hour...i'm going for stability

Fieryfrog · Jun 8, 2015

Chameleon said:
Hi Aaron,
Surprised no in state schools made his list. Have you thought about running a low cost reef to cut down on costs? With DC pumps and led lights the electrical cost can be negligible. Water and salt are fairly inexpensive and a fish only or softy heavy tank doesn't require much if any dosing. I know you mentioned getting Reef Revolution's new dosing solutions, but all a tank really needs is baking soda and calcium chloride. This could help with dosing expense. Just some thoughts to consider before taking your tank down.

Hey Tylor.

He really wants to go somewhere close to home. Since we have only been here a few years from Minneapolis, he still calls that home.

I am considering moving my 67 gallon reef tank upstairs. And moving everything into it. Then I can just run the sump under the tank. And I dont have to run the Barracuda pump. And my smaller skimmer. And so forth.

I will still have to get rid of the Purple Tang though. He is very large, and it would be cruel to put him in a 67 gallon tank.