Question about BRS Peristaltic Pump and Dosing

[patsheridan]

I have a 35g mixed reef tank; had it for about one year (bought used and already going). I have one or two SPS, then a variety of LPS and Soft corals, plus fishes. The only dosing I do is B-Ionic Magnesium, Part 1 Alkalinity and Part 2 Calcium. I have been dosing them individually and separately, as needed and without any real care and regularity (test two or three times a week and add as test results dictate).

I just got in two BRS peristaltic pumps, with the thought that one will be for the Calc and one for the Alk., and that I will dose the Mag as needed.

Some questions:

I am wondering now if the Alk and Calc are meant to be combined rather than dosed separately?

If separate, does my intended dosing with the BRS pumps make sense?

Are there other additives I should be testing for and dosing?

Thanks!!

 

[JimWelsh]

"Combined rather than dosed separately": Dosed separately.
"Pumps make sense": I use BRS dosing pumps for this, so, yes.
"Other additives": Perhaps.

 

[Downbeach]

I have a 35g mixed reef tank; had it for about one year (bought used and already going). I have one or two SPS, then a variety of LPS and Soft corals, plus fishes. The only dosing I do is B-Ionic Magnesium, Part 1 Alkalinity and Part 2 Calcium. I have been dosing them individually and separately, as needed and without any real care and regularity (test two or three times a week and add as test results dictate).

I just got in two BRS peristaltic pumps, with the thought that one will be for the Calc and one for the Alk., and that I will dose the Mag as needed.

Some questions:

I am wondering now if the Alk and Calc are meant to be combined rather than dosed separately?

Dosed separately, and preferably at different times, and possibly different locations so they don't mix when added, causing abiotic precipitation.

If separate, does my intended dosing with the BRS pumps make sense?

Dosing, if needed does make sense. How much are you dosing now?

Are there other additives I should be testing for and dosing?
Thanks!!

You might consider using kalk to supplement your Ca and Alk needs for the time being, and going to the two part when it is no longer able to keep up with your demand between WC's.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I agree this is a fine plan and you may not need the magnesium since the regular B-ionic also contains it.

 

[patsheridan]

Thanks guys. Plan on dosing the Alk in the night and the Calc during the day, into the sump. One question I have is whether there are other elements I need to be looking to add, regularly or intermittently, to the tank (i.e. Strontium, Iron, Iodine, etc., etc.). Might be one of those things where the KISS rule applies, especially to me

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Several of those you list I do not think worth measuring or supplementing, except possibly supplementing (but not measuring) iron. It shouldn't be maintained high enough to actually measure (IMO).