I want to Dose?

[TK_KW]

Morning #reefsquad,

So the time has come in my build, where I want to start dosing my frag/invert QT tank. And also start dosing my display to match up.

Currently dkh is 7.4 and cal is 490. QT tank basically stays around these numbers with just my water changes. 40% once a week. Volume of QT is technically 48 actual gallons.

I'd like to get up near 9dkh and have it maintain somewhere around there for some nice grow out. I have a mix of Sps and Lps.

Questions,

-So I leave cal alone and slowly raise dkh up to level?
-Will cal then start dropping along with dkh on a daily level?
-I've read at one point dosing is 1:1? But currently dkh is low, and cal isnt.
-how often do I test parameters?
-what are simple/common mistakes people do when dosing that would crash the tank? I have to much money invested into coral to make avoidable mistakes.

 

[SPR1968]

Morning #reefsquad,

So the time has come in my build, where I want to start dosing my frag/invert QT tank. And also start dosing my display to match up.

Currently dkh is 7.4 and cal is 490. QT tank basically stays around these numbers with just my water changes. 40% once a week. Volume of QT is technically 48 actual gallons.

I'd like to get up near 9dkh and have it maintain somewhere around there for some nice grow out. I have a mix of Sps and Lps.

Questions,

-So I leave cal alone and slowly raise dkh up to level?
-Will cal then start dropping along with dkh on a daily level?
-I've read at one point dosing is 1:1? But currently dkh is low, and cal isnt.
-how often do I test parameters?
-what are simple/common mistakes people do when dosing that would crash the tank? I have to much money invested into coral to make avoidable mistakes.

I’ll try and answer as best I can but you can dose each element separately and as required according to uptake. So you will firstly need to calculate the daily uptake by testing on day 1. Leave alone and then test on day 4. The difference divided by 4 is the daily usage. Top the levels back up to were they should be and then start. Dose the daily amount every day. Test after 7 days and then adjust and carry on and after a month or so it should become relatively stable with just minor tweaks

So I leave cal alone and slowly raise dkh up to level? YES you can

-Will cal then start dropping along with dkh on a daily level? MAYBE but you just adjust as required

-I've read at one point dosing is 1:1? But currently dkh is low, and cal - raise the dKH then, and not the Calcium

-how often do I test parameters? WEEKLY and then adjust the daily doses up and down depending on uptake if each one.

-what are simple/common mistakes people d - overdosing obviously, but don’t chase numbers, select your target parameters and then make small weekly adjustments as required

40% water changes are to big unless you have a good reason to do them. You will upset the water chemistry every time you do it, so go to ideally around 10% and probably no more than 20%

And if you need anything else just ask

 

[ClearLife]

I have been confused about why dkh is such a sacred parameter and PH isn't even considered. If PH should be around 8.3 or 8.4 but when you increase dkh to some random number (7 to 9), that has a direct effect on PH. My PH is 8.35 with a dkh of 6.8. If I raised dkh to 9, the PH would be off the cart. Can anyone explain it to me.

 

[W1ngz]

I'm not in the reefsquad but thought I'd share my opinion anyway.

Calcium is fine if you want to leave it and that's where your salt puts you when you make water.
Cal and alk will drop together, but mostly that has to do with the coral (and coralline algae). Small frags will use less. You'll need to work out your daily consumption.
Dosing 1:1 is based on the method you're using and which additives. The all-in systems are balanced to keep the 1:1 ratio. If you're just looking to raise alk, there's no reason not to just dose alk.
Testing should be at least once a week, but if you're going to play with alk, testing alk once daily isn't a bad idea in the beginning.
Common mistakes are probably over dosing all at once. Mix up and prep what you think you need, and then manually dose half of it. Test again in 1/2 an hour to see where you are.

Personally if you're already stable and just want alk higher, I would start by adjusting it in the new water at change time, and see if you can work your alk higher that way. Then you can monitor consumption adn see if you need a more regimented or automated dosing method.

 

[TK_KW]

I’ll try and answer as best I can but you can dose each element separately and as required according to uptake. So you will firstly need to calculate the daily uptake by testing on day 1. Leave alone and then test on day 4. The difference divided by 4 is the daily usage. Top the levels back up to were they should be and then start. Dose the daily amount every day. Test after 7 days and then adjust and carry on and after a month or so it should become relatively stable with just minor tweaks

So I leave cal alone and slowly raise dkh up to level? YES you can

-Will cal then start dropping along with dkh on a daily level? MAYBE but you just adjust as required

-I've read at one point dosing is 1:1? But currently dkh is low, and cal - raise the dKH then, and not the Calcium

-how often do I test parameters? WEEKLY and then adjust the daily doses up and down depending on uptake if each one.

-what are simple/common mistakes people d - overdosing obviously, but don’t chase numbers, select your target parameters and then make small weekly adjustments as required

40% water changes are to big unless you have a good reason to do them. You will upset the water chemistry every time you do it, so go to ideally around 10% and probably no more than 20%

And if you need anything else just ask

Fantastic, well describe response. This will be a huge help.

I actually do two wc twice a week. So that being said, they are only 20% at a given time. Maybe I'll cut back to one 20% a week.

My 55 gallon reservoir with fresh made water. Would I pre dose that prior to water change? Or will the level not change that drastically? Also a thought, if I pre dose my fresh water(say up almost two points from current), wont that give conflicting measurement of how much absorption coral are taking?

@Crabs McJones gets this man another badge lol This Is literally why I love this page. Fast/knowledge responses. Thanks again @SPR1968

 

[SPR1968]

Fantastic, well describe response. This will be a huge help.

I actually do two wc twice a week. So that being said, they are only 20% at a given time. Maybe I'll cut back to one 20% a week.

My 55 gallon reservoir with fresh made water. Would I pre dose that prior to water change? Or will the level not change that drastically? Also a thought, if I pre dose my fresh water(say up almost two points from current), wont that give conflicting measurement of how much absorption coral are taking?

@Crabs McJones gets this man another badge lol This I literally why I love this page. Fast/knowledge responses. Thanks again @SPR1968

Your more than welcome, and anything else just ask.

Not sure what you mean on the freshwater question, the RODI top up water should be kept separate and clean for ATO top off.

 

[Jon Fishman]

Phish summer tour just started.... you're in luck.

 

[TK_KW]

Your more than welcome, and anything else just ask.

Not sure what you mean on the freshwater question, the RODI top up water should be kept separate and clean for ATO top off.

No, sry. I have two 55g reservoirs. One rodi, then it gravity feeds down to my other, the salt reservoir. Question was based of dosing into freshly made saltwater.

 

[MTBake]

I have been confused about why dkh is such a sacred parameter and PH isn't even considered. If PH should be around 8.3 or 8.4 but when you increase dkh to some random number (7 to 9), that has a direct effect on PH. My PH is 8.35 with a dkh of 6.8. If I raised dkh to 9, the PH would be off the cart. Can anyone explain it to me.

https://www.advancedaquarist.com/2002/5/chemistry

This article explains it. I won't lie, I have a hard time understanding it as well.

 

[BeejReef]

This is supposed to show the "balanced" values for calcium for a given level of alkalinity, based on their proportions in NSW

 

[scott11106]

all this is great information but why do you want to dose the frag/invert tank, if you do an automatic water change that will replenish all of the elements you need. for instance, i do a water change on all my tanks daily and with the 2 QT/frag/invert tanks that keep the parameters in check and with a medium bioload i dont dose any additives. This works for me but as per everything in this hobby, there are many ways to skin the cat..lol

 

[TK_KW]

all this is great information but why do you want to dose the frag/invert tank, if you do an automatic water change that will replenish all of the elements you need. for instance, i do a water change on all my tanks daily and with the 2 QT/frag/invert tanks that keep the parameters in check and with a medium bioload i dont dose any additives. This works for me but as per everything in this hobby, there are many ways to skin the cat..lol

I want to raise levels as my dkh is low, higher will promote growth.

I'm just starting to have my dos do auto changes on my display. But I manually do everything for qt/invert tank. I should just buy another dos for this tank lol. Fu k, you should see what else I'm adding lol, loving the automation ha.

I'll update my build in few days.

 

[lapin]

Randy also has an article on how to make your own dosing liquids, how much to dose with hints on how not to raise something by dosing to raise something else. You can dose 1 part if thats all you need.
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php

 

[scott11106]

I want to raise levels as my dkh is low, higher will promote growth.

I'm just starting to have my dos do auto changes on my display. But I manually do everything for qt/invert tank. I should just buy another dos for this tank lol. Fu k, you should see what else I'm adding lol, loving the automation ha.

I'll update my build in few days.

i just use a apex pmup in the qt to draw water out and ATO to add salt water back and i dont add any fresh water so i keep that in check but it works great. a DOS would also work great.

yea let me see what you are up to. i am adding a calcium reacter in a couple weeks and removing the dosing of calcium and alk....

 

[TK_KW]

i just use a apex pmup in the qt to draw water out and ATO to add salt water back and i dont add any fresh water so i keep that in check but it works great. a DOS would also work great.

yea let me see what you are up to. i am adding a calcium reacter in a couple weeks and removing the dosing of calcium and alk....

I like the idea of pmup in qt to draw it out, you've given me a good idea with that.

Nice, update your build with some photos. I will too. I'm going sat to get some more coral.

You know, I could always use a third dos ha

 

[w2inc]

With 40% a week you can probably control levels with your salt mix. Red Sea Black bucket is set for DKH around 11 I think. Go there for now, but at some point in time when your corals grow you will need to add a calcium reactor, lime water, or dose 2 part.

I am on board with pretty much everything said in the first response.

IMHO DKH is the Hold Grail. PH tends to follow corresponding with light. Stable DKH really cuts out all kinds of problems. I monitor my pH, but only to tell me when my DKH is getting low. All of the advice here is great and will work for you. Good luck!

 

[scott11106]

i recommend you thinking about a calcium reactor instead of dos as i thought i would just dos and quickly it got old buying 2 part and going that route...and you can use that dos for other things.

 

[Idoc]

You sound very regimrnted on performing your water changes on time, so maybe consider changing to a higher alkalinity salt mix and see i'd that corrects your problem. This is easier than dosing for now until your corals really start to grow and consume.

 

[TK_KW]

i recommend you thinking about a calcium reactor instead of dos as i thought i would just dos and quickly it got old buying 2 part and going that route...and you can use that dos for other things.

I've plumbed my display for a future reactor. And dos will do it for awhile with it.

But I'm thinking my frag/invert qt I'll just have to manually dose for now. Maybe a dos for that tank later. Who knows. I need to win a lottery or something lol

 

[TK_KW]

You sound very regimrnted on performing your water changes on time, so maybe consider changing to a higher alkalinity salt mix and see i'd that corrects your problem. This is easier than dosing for now until your corals really start to grow and consume.

Best salt I have readily available and access to locally is Salinity Aquavitro. Which is what I use. Not a bad idea though, ill look into it. Unfortually, even though I live in a large metropolitan area, access is limited to one store that is actually good. Aside from that, I'm driving into Toronto area.