Need to Start Dosing my Nano...Guidance Needed

[livinlifeinBKK]

Hey guys, so I have a 10 gallon nano reef tank currently with only coral/inverts but will probably add a fish soon too. I've always done a good job keeping my nutrients in check in this tank but recently I've noticed more calcium has been being taken up than can be replaced with a 10-15% weekly water change calcium is around 380-390 right now and since I plan to add more corals I think I'm gonna need to begin dosing to keeps those numbers up. The tank is about 6 months old and is pretty mature since I've done everything possible to support and grow my microbiome from weekly doses of multiple probiotics to tediously watching my phosphates and nitrates and I used a lot of live rock fresh from the ocean to start it. Current residents using calcium, magnesium, alk are a crocea clam, black sun coral, a couple digis, tenuis, and cyphastrea. I know this isn't such a big load but since I'm about to add a couple more corals and it's only a nano things get depleted quickly...what's a good product for a tank like this and what's the easiest way to dose without making my parameters swing?

 

[A Young Reefer]

Consider tropic marin AFR great product covers BOTH the major and minor trace elements in an all in one solution. can be dosed by hand or even a single headed dosing pump.

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

Consider tropic marin AFR great product covers BOTH the major and minor trace elements in an all in one solution. can be dosed by hand or even a single headed dosing pump.

I was looking at that but it's REALLY expensive here

 

[A Young Reefer]

I was looking at that but it's REALLY expensive here

oh mb I didn't notice your user name. I then would be looking at red sea, doses alkalinity, mg and calcium independently. if that is available at where you live.

 

[scottj6]

Consider tropic marin AFR great product covers BOTH the major and minor trace elements in an all in one solution. can be dosed by hand or even a single headed dosing pump.

+1 for AFR. In a tank that size you'll use very little of it.

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

oh mb I didn't notice your user name. I then would be looking at red sea, doses alkalinity, mg and calcium independently. if that is available at where you live.

Yeah, red sea has one product I was looking at...I'll take a screenshot and show you

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

@A Young reefer have you heard anything about this stuff?

 

[A Young Reefer]

@A Young reefer have you heard anything about this stuff?

I am not very familiar with using it, but from what I read it should work.
even if its not as concentrated as the liquid products, it should work since your tank is small and has a relatively low consumption.

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

I am not very familiar with using it, but from what I read it should work.
even if its not as concentrated as the liquid products, it should work since your tank is small and has a relatively low consumption.

My magnesium is within the acceptable range and alk is about 7.5 so does that mean I really only need to be dosing calcium right now?

 

[A Young Reefer]

My magnesium is within the acceptable range and alk is about 7.5 so does that mean I really only need to be dosing calcium right now?

Yes, but if you are going to start dosing an all in one solution you still have a window for alkalinity and magnesium to increase. But yes from your readings calcium is the only element that needs addressing .

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

Yes, but if you are going to start dosing an all in one solution you still have a window for alkalinity and magnesium to increase. But yes from your readings calcium is the only element that needs addressing .

I just get concerned about alk swings that could harm the coral is all and I wouldn't want my alk too over about 9 anyway

 

[Kongar]

On the All for Reef front: how expensive is “really expensive?”. In my 20G tank, I use 10ml per day. So you’ll probably be 5 or less in yours. Are you aware you can make your own? Tropic Marin sells powdered products and jugs of trace elements - you can make a LOT of AFR with the bulk materials. I’m wondering if you’d be able to buy and import the largest bulk package you can, and when you average out the shipping costs across the years? of dosages you’ll get - maybe it’s not that expensive? Dunno. But look at it. AFR works really well in a nano.

 

[A Young Reefer]

I just get concerned about alk swings that could harm the coral is all and I wouldn't want my alk too over about 9 anyway

yep then for the time being you can only dose calcium. But for the long run your consumption will only increase (especially with that clam) so sooner or later you will most probably need to address the other elements. Regarding swings; you will eventually find the correct dosage and sticking to it should prevent any unwanted swings.

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

I

On the All for Reef front: how expensive is “really expensive?”. In my 20G tank, I use 10ml per day. So you’ll probably be 5 or less in yours. Are you aware you can make your own? Tropic Marin sells powdered products and jugs of trace elements - you can make a LOT of AFR with the bulk materials. I’m wondering if you’d be able to buy and import the largest bulk package you can, and when you average out the shipping costs across the years? of dosages you’ll get - maybe it’s not that expensive? Dunno. But look at it. AFR works really well in a nano.

I'll look into it because of how highly people talk about it but to buy it here would be about $100 (I'd have to check again to see what size is offered but I think only one size is available online here)...I do have a product I use already for trace minerals but like I said, if so many people recommend it I'll look into it again

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

yep then for the time being you can only dose calcium. But for the long run your consumption will only increase (especially with that clam) so sooner or later you will most probably need to address the other elements. Regarding swings; you will eventually find the correct dosage and sticking to it should prevent any unwanted swings.

Ok cool... would kalkwasser maybe be a good choice? I know it raises calcium but does it keep alk stable or raise it as well?

 

[A Young Reefer]

Ok cool... would kalkwasser maybe be a good choice? I know it raises calcium but does it keep alk stable or raise it as well?

Kalk raises both alkalinity and calcium.

 

[Kongar]

I

I'll look into it because of how highly people talk about it but to buy it here would be about $100 (I'd have to check again to see what size is offered but I think only one size is available online here)...I do have a product I use already for trace minerals but like I said, if so many people recommend it I'll look into it again

Ya make sure you look at the bulk materials - don’t pay to import water, water is heavy! You can YouTube/google “DIY all for reef” and you’ll find the recipe and products easy enough.

If you’re already doing trace - Kalk is a good way to go too. But in my experience it was very messy and kind of annoying to be honest. AFR is so easy that I never looked back to kalk once I started using it.