First time dosing, next steps?

WimmyJimmy · Feb 23, 2019

Hello everyone!
I recently acquired a doser, a 3 channel Kamoer I believe, as well as B-Ionic calcium and alkalinity, with some aquaforest magnesium.
I also got three aquaforest test kits, one for each of the previously mentioned elements.
I have tested and before doing my weekly/bi-weekly water change, my parameters were slightly low, with my alkalinity being approx 7.6 where it's supposed to be 8 from my salt. My calcium was approx 10 or 20 ppm too low as well, so I'm wondering, what are my next steps from here? I have done much research, but haven't really found something convincing to follow, as this is all relatively new to me. Should I not worry about doing until I have more Sps(which I want), or should I start dosing now, and if so, what do I do next?
All help is appreciated! Thanks!

saltyhog · Feb 23, 2019

It's certainly ok to start dosing now as long as you monitor and don't over do it. I started by testing my parameters a few days apart. Then I used the BRS calculator to determine my daily usage of each parameter. Then I set my dosers to those volumes and retested every day for a while. Adjust, test, adjust, test, rinse and repeat.

Hope that makes sense!

Randy Holmes-Farley · Feb 24, 2019

I would boost the calcium in one shot with the calcium part of B-ionic.

Then monitor alk for a few days to get an idea of how fast it is dropping.

Then set up the doser for equal dosing the two parts of the B-ionic (you will not need the the magnesium unless it starts low, becuase the right amount is in the B-ionic).

Set the daily dose of those two parts to match the alk need. Monitor and adjust both parts slightly over time (not every day) as needed to match the alk changes.

This calculator will help determine how much is needed:

Reef Chemistry Calculator
http://reef.diesyst.com/chemcalc/chem_calc3.html