Need help with 2 part dosing

Reef-_-Noob · Nov 2, 2022

Hello reefers,

I am interested in beginning a 2 part dose regimen to raise the alk in my tank. I have been researching but there is quite a bit of information out there. I'm hoping to get some feedback on your experiences after starting to dose. Was it beneficial? Was it simple? How much growth did you notice? Any feedback about beginning to dose for alk would be appreciated.

My tank is now 8 months old. I have gone thru the uglies and the tank has been pretty solid the last 2 months.

I just started testing using the salifert test kits.
Dkh 7.7
Calcium 480
Mag 1480

Api test kits
PH 7.9
Nitrates 20 ppm
Phosphate .25

Salinity 1.024

I recently added a protein skimmer and the water clarity has greatly improved. I have not done a water change in the 2 weeks I have had the skimmer running.

My current corals :
Torch
Cyphastrea
Branching hammer
Lepto
Gsp
Some zoas
Xenia
Kenya tree
Acan
Bta
And some big Boulder looking sps

There are also 6 fish in the tank

I am looking to maintain between 9 - 10.5 alk based on research.

Should I even dose this?? The corals are frags so I would like to accelerate growth.

Jekyl · Nov 2, 2022

Using baking soda for alk, getting nitrate and phosphate under control and getting better test kits will be sufficient.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Nov 2, 2022

Two part additives are simple and easy with few drawbacks.

That said, if alkalinity has not dropped below your target (7.7 dKH is fine), then no two part dosing is needed.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Nov 2, 2022

I discuss many methods here:

The Many Methods for Supplementing Calcium and Alkalinity - REEFEDITION

There is no aspect of reef aquarium chemistry more important than calcium and alkalinity. Many of my previous articles have described various aspects of these systems in detail. In reading those articles, aquarists will note one pervasive theme: that maintaining appropriate levels of each are...

www.reefedition.com