Red Sea Foundation ABC+ in RODI Water

[Schurch]

Hi Guys,
I'm new to reefing. I was sold a 4 part dosing pump and 4 products (Ca,Alk,Mg,Trace Elements). The Ca& Alk are almost empty after 3 months, so before buying these bottles again, I was wondering 2 things. a) Does the Red Sea Foundation Skeletal Elements ABC+ replace these other 4 products. b) if yes, then could I simply add it to my RODI water reservoir, and only use the dosing pump and these expensive 4 parts to make any fine adjustments after testing?

 

[Biglew11]

are you testing your levels? you don't need to be dosing if they are not going down.
1. yes it replaces all the elements
2. being a powder they are able to mix the calcium and alkalinity together, but once mixed in a concentrated solution the two will precipitate out of solution making them useless. you'll have to dose the powder manually to the sump everyday to keep levels up.
https://www.redseafish.com/wp-conte...age-Manual_GB_DE_FR_SE_NL_SP_PT_JP_CH_20A.pdf

alot of reefers do two part dosing alkalinity and calcium. magnesium is used extremely slowly and can be dosed manually
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/calcium-alkalinity-trace-elements/brs.html

i use these jugs and mix up a gallon of each at a time alk and ca last abou a month in my 75.
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/space-saver-jug-thin-4-liter-1-05-gallon-bundle.html

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Just to be sure it is clear: you CANNOT mix it into RO/DI water for top off, and really should not mix it in anything before dosing. A bad attribute of powder-only supplements, IMO, and the reason i do not generally recommend them.

 

[Schurch]

are you testing your levels? you don't need to be dosing if they are not going down.
1. yes it replaces all the elements
2. being a powder they are able to mix the calcium and alkalinity together, but once mixed in a concentrated solution the two will precipitate out of solution making them useless. you'll have to dose the powder manually to the sump everyday to keep levels up.
https://www.redseafish.com/wp-conte...age-Manual_GB_DE_FR_SE_NL_SP_PT_JP_CH_20A.pdf

alot of reefers do two part dosing alkalinity and calcium. magnesium is used extremely slowly and can be dosed manually
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/calcium-alkalinity-trace-elements/brs.html

i use these jugs and mix up a gallon of each at a time alk and ca last abou a month in my 75.
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/space-saver-jug-thin-4-liter-1-05-gallon-bundle.html

Yes I'm testing and adjusting the doses to keep the levels within range, and Mg is being used the least, Alk the most. Ca is also not required as much. Thanks for the links.

 

[Schurch]

Just to be sure it is clear: you CANNOT mix it into RO/DI water for top off, and really should not mix it in anything before dosing. A bad attribute of powder-only supplements, IMO, and the reason i do not generally recommend them.

Ok that's what I needed to know. Out of interest, what do you recommend?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Ok that's what I needed to know. Out of interest, what do you recommend?

For most folks, a two/three part is a good way to go. There are many good choices of method, though.

This has more:

The Many Methods for Supplementing Calcium and Alkalinity - REEFEDITION