Religiously tracking my parameters to find consumption rates

Leyth · Apr 12, 2017

I found that my parameters were off recently so I got them back around acceptable levels and now I am trying to figure out consumption rates to decide whether I need to dose or not.

Well here are my params for the past few days and I wanted to know if I'm doing the right thing and what to do next to figure out what to do:

All tests done at 7:30 PM every night

4/9 Cal: 400 Alk: 8 Mag: 1440
4/10 Cal: 420 Alk: 9 Mag: 1410
4/11 got busy and did nothing
4/12 Cal: 420 Alk: 9 Mag: 1410

After testing on 4/9 and 4/10 I added 1 cap of seachem fusion 1 and 1 cap of fusion 2. I have not added anything tonight and would like to know whether I should or not? What do you think?

Triggreef · Apr 12, 2017

I'd say you are close to your dose rate since the end at its the same as your day 2. Actually maybe it would be okay with even half of what you added but either way there's something that needs to be added to keep it in line. Unfortunately it takes weeks of checking sometimes to figure out all out. But your on the right path.

nervousmonkey · Apr 12, 2017

No, don't add anything. The way to measure consumption is to measure over a time period without dosing anything. I know you did two days, but what was the drop in alk and calc that you had? You want to measure how much is used when you don't dose anything. I would measure over a week's time without dosing to see the drop in all three, then you know consumption over a weeks' time period and can just divide by 7 to find out how much to dose daily. you're doing it right and are on the right path. Good job and good luck!

Leyth · Apr 12, 2017

Ok sounds good, I won't add anything and will keep testing

nervousmonkey · Apr 12, 2017

There are so many ways to accomplish what you are trying to accomplish, I just gave you the method I use. Sometimes I'll do a daily consumption rate check, but I prefer longer periods so the daily consumption rates average out to give me a truer picture. In all reality, I should say that you would be best served to research/google methods for measuring alkalinity, calcium and magnesium consumption in a reef tank to get more answers to that question.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Apr 13, 2017

I agree that if you are not dosing, then you need not dose anything. Daily testing is not needed.

Alkalinity dropping is the first sign that you need to consider dosing.

Leyth · Apr 16, 2017

Ok, so I wanted to update you guys and see if you think I should intervene yet. Here is what my param history looks like after today:

Randy Holmes-Farley · Apr 17, 2017

It looks like you will occasionally need a bit of the two part (like 0.5 capful every few days). Adding it now and then waiting till alk drops to 7.5 dKh or so is a fine plan.