Help me choose the best solution for water stability

[Idech]

I’ve been in this hobby about 18 months now. I’ve made so many mistakes, and I’m learning so much.

At the one year mark, my corals are doing poorly, mostly because my dosing has been inadequate and my water changes too few. I am currently debating the pros and cons and cost of two solutions. One is more expensive at first but at the three year mark they cost about the same according to my estimate.

Are those two solutions realistic ? If not what should I do instead ?

Solution #1
- Hire a LFS to install an automatic water changing station (and ATO reservoir filling)
- Do 10% water changes per week (spread daily or once or twice a week, to be determined)
- Dose occasionally if need be

Solution #2
- Dose with All for Reef daily
- Do ICP tests every 3 months
- Dose until incorrect parameters on ICP test reach ideal values (24-48 hrs usually)
- Very few water changes, only to adjust salinity if need be

So basically if I go with solution #1 I would only be changing water, no dosing.

With solution #2 I would only be dosing, not changing water.

Is this realistic and can both be equally efficient to grow softies and LPS mostly ?

Thanks for your input !

 

[Gatorpa]

I’ve been in this hobby about 18 months now. I’ve made so many mistakes, and I’m learning so much.

At the one year mark, my corals are doing poorly, mostly because my dosing has been inadequate and my water changes too few. I am currently debating the pros and cons and cost of two solutions. One is more expensive at first but at the three year mark they cost about the same according to my estimate.

Are those two solutions realistic ? If not what should I do instead ?

Solution #1
- Hire a LFS to install an automatic water changing station (and ATO reservoir filling)
- Do 10% water changes per week (spread daily or once or twice a week, to be determined)
- Dose occasionally if need be

Solution #2
- Dose with All for Reef daily
- Do ICP tests every 3 months
- Dose until incorrect parameters on ICP test reach ideal values (24-48 hrs usually)
- Very few water changes, only to adjust salinity if need be

So basically if I go with solution #1 I would only be changing water, no dosing.

With solution #2 I would only be dosing, not changing water.

Is this realistic and can both be equally efficient to grow softies and LPS mostly ?

Thanks for your input !

Plenty of us never do water changes.

Stability is the key.

What are your parameters
Size tank
lights
skimmer or not.
did you start with live rock or dry dead rock

what livestock do you have.

 

[dstockwell]

You have to know parameters before dosing, I am sure you do just didn’t post them. The last time I dosed kalk it was to much. So I just did a 25% water change rechecked and all numbers good. And right now no reason to dose.

 

[Idech]

Plenty of us never do water changes.

Stability is the key.

What are your parameters
Size tank
lights
skimmer or not.
did you start with live rock or dry dead rock

what livestock do you have.

I just did an ICP test if you want to look. Lots of elements are depleted (boron, iodine, zinc, copper, manganese, iron, chromium, cobalt) and some are in excess so I’ll do a water change or two.

Help with ICP test results

My 75 gallons tank is 1 year old and corals aren’t happy despite seemingly correct parameters so I did an ICP test. Lots of things are wrong, some because of mistakes (high magnesium) or because I was trying to get rid of dinos (high silicate) or others. I haven’t done regulars water changes...

www.reef2reef.com

Parameters :
temp : 77 F
PH : 8.0
Nitrates : 8-10
Phosphate : 0,03
Calcium : 440
Magnesium : 1510
Alkalinity : 8.8
Salinity : 1.025 (will increase it to 1.026)
Lights : 4 x AI Prime 16 HD

Size : 75 gallons, no sump
Skimmer : yes, runs 12 hrs per day
Rocks : dry rocks (about 1/3 came from another tank that had been running 7 months)

Livestock
2 x oscellaris clownfish
1 x yellow eye kole tang
1 x banggai cardinal
1 x tail spot blenny
1 x neon allen’s damsel (very peaceful)

CUC
1 x cleaner skunk shrimp
20 or so small/medium snails (cerith, turbo, nassarius)
1 x conch snail
15 hermit crabs
1 x halloween crab