Newbie dosing questions

jgvergo · Apr 25, 2016

My tank is up and running for about a month. Here are the key stats:

2 clown fish
10 Mexican Turbo Snails
10 Hermit crabs
2 Cleaner shrimp
Blood Red Fire Shrimp (or Scarlet Cleaner Shrimp)
1 Peppermint Shrim
Chaeto and pods

I use Instant Ocean salt with RO/DI water. Salinity is at 35/1.026.

Ammonia 0.0
Nitrites - 0.0
Nitrates 2.0

Calcium 420
Alk 9dKH
Mg 1600+

I goal is to get my dosing system set up to automate the Ca and Alk dosing. Here is what I'm measuring and dosing manually, and my questions:

It seem that once I got my Calcium level to 420, it is holding steady there without additional dosing. Q1: Does that seem right given my set up?

My Alk drops from 9.0 to about 8.4 each day. I dose ~1.4 fl oz of BRS 2 Alk to bring it back to 9.0 dKH. Q2: Does that seem right given my set up?

My Mg is well past 1600. I'm not sure of the exact level b/c my Red Sea test kit does not go high enough. Q3: Does that seem right given my set up?

Q4: Can someone recommend an initial dosing schedule given the above data?

I have a small piece of live rock with nice purple Coraline algae on it, but it has not spread to my Pukani and Tonga shelf yet. Q5: Any idea why it has not spread and how long this process normally takes?

Final question: When is it reasonable to add a few hearty corals?

Thanks!
John

Randy Holmes-Farley · Apr 25, 2016

I doubt the magnesium is that high, and some folks have problems with that kit.

Coralline algae alone can use 2 dKH or alkalinity and the proportional amount of calcium per day, so it is possible you have 0.6 dKH per day of demand.

I'd also dose the calcium part in equal volume to the alk part unl;ess calcium gets higher than you want. It is effectively a very small amount added each day (only a few ppm), but it will prevent you from suddenly needed to add a lot once the kit registers a drop.

I'd also dose the recommended magnesium dose proportional to the alk dose. This 2/3 parts is designed to be used that way, and it will not push magnesium up. It will just maintain it where it is. If you need help figure that dose, I can do that. This part is not just adding magnesium but sulfate too.

jgvergo · Apr 25, 2016

Thanks Randy. I will figure out the dose and run it by you if you don't mind. It will help me understand it better.

Do you have a recommendation for an alternate kit?

jgvergo · Apr 25, 2016

Randy, upon reflection, don't I already have the the Alk dose calculated? 1.4 fl oz (42.8 ml) of BRS 2 part Alk per day and, based on your recommendation, the same amount of Calcium?

BryanS4 · Apr 25, 2016

jgvergo said:
Randy, upon reflection, don't I already have the the Alk dose calculated? 1.4 fl oz (42.8 ml) of BRS 2 part Alk per day and, based on your recommendation, the same amount of Calcium?

What is your systems total water volume?

jgvergo · Apr 25, 2016

100 gallons

BryanS4 · Apr 25, 2016

Your calculation is correct.

Yes, not speaking for Randy, but he is saying to dose the same amount you do for Alk (42.8ml) for Calcium. The two are generally dosed in the same amounts.

jgvergo · Apr 25, 2016

So this raises a question about the Calcium level. Basically, how much is too much? I've read that a target of 420 is good for a mixed LPS/SPS/Softie tank. Since I'm adjusting my dosages based on Alk, I expect the Ca to get above 420. Is there a point when I should be concerned that the level is too high?

dewboy1127 · Apr 25, 2016

Total water volume and assuming your stock level is slim to none yet being only have coraline on one rock so far these thingsi think wouldplay big part in some questions you have asked

dewboy1127 · Apr 25, 2016

jgvergo said:
So this raises a question about the Calcium level. Basically, how much is too much? I've read that a target of 420 is good for a mixed LPS/SPS/Softie tank. Since I'm adjusting my dosages based on Alk, I expect the Ca to get above 420. Is there a point when I should be concerned that the level is too high?

Two parts are meant to be balanced so now that your levels are where want them its basically a maint dose ...ime you wont really notice a raise and if so it will be small it shouldnt take your cal level off the charts or anything

Randy Holmes-Farley · Apr 25, 2016

jgvergo said:
Randy, upon reflection, don't I already have the the Alk dose calculated? 1.4 fl oz (42.8 ml) of BRS 2 part Alk per day and, based on your recommendation, the same amount of Calcium?

Yes. I meant determine the magnesium dose based on the two part recipe directions.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Apr 25, 2016

jgvergo said:
So this raises a question about the Calcium level. Basically, how much is too much? I've read that a target of 420 is good for a mixed LPS/SPS/Softie tank. Since I'm adjusting my dosages based on Alk, I expect the Ca to get above 420. Is there a point when I should be concerned that the level is too high?

I'd stick to equal parts dosing based on the alk needs unless it rose into the upper 400's, then I'd stop dosing if that happened.