Nano Tank Dosing

[NicksTanks223]

Hello,
I am starting to get to the point where I think I’m going to need to start dosing my reef tank. It is a 20g tank, I have euphyillia, zoas, lps, sps, and montipora. Right now I dose magnesium and I let WC take care of the rest of levels. My magnesium is at 1450 right now. I’m just wondering what I should start off with, I’ve heard of two part dosing and I’m thinking that I might want to try this out, i don’t know much about this yet hit I will find out. I will also talk to my lfs about dosing and see what they recommend. Thanks.

 

[Gtinnel]

When I started dosing 2 part I just started with a small dose of both parts and tested my parameters daily. If the parameters were still lower than I wanted then I would up the dose slightly until they settled where I wanted them. The key in my opinion is small changes and test a lot.
Once you find what dosage works for your tank it's very easy to maintain a stable alk...until corals start growing quicker and you have to up it again at least. I find myself adding 5ml to my dose every month or so.

 

[blasterman]

You won't know what to dose until you test the water because all tanks are different. Quickest way to determine this is make up a bit of fresh salt mix exactly to how you add it to your tank, test it for calcium and alkalinity, and then test your tank for the same thing.

The difference tells you they are being consumed. Lack of much difference tells you otherwise.

Younger nano tanks with proper water changes and mixed corals tend to consume alk faster than calcium. Im guessing when you test you will find calcium is a tad lower than your salt mix, but not much. Alk on the other hand might be a lot lower. However, I have no idea whats in your tank.

Just like magnesium, calcium can often be replenished via water changes because there's more than enough in your salt mix, so you've made a solid conceptual leap with magnesium.

Also, if your salt mix defaults to 410 calcium you dont need to set your target for 450. People here like to dose for the sake of dosing and your salt mix calcium level is fine for mixed reef. If it drops a little between water changes its no big deal.

Alk on the other hand can drop very fast and inconsistently. But its also the easiest to test for and cheapest to dose. Its literally just baking soda and we can show you the online calculator that tells you how much to add. Much easier and cheaper than buying pre diluted bottled dosers.

You then test your tank periodically to see what your rate of consumption is. You need to determine first if alk and calcium are being consumed at all. Common sense.