Should i Start Dosing Alk and Calcium

[KDG730]

Hi guys just got my first 4 frags. 2 favias 1 monti cap (i think thats what it is) and a duncan. 75g tank w 20g sump

my question is do i need to start dosing right away? Or will 4 small frags not need it for a while and the levels will be ok with water changes?

i do have Brs two part ready to go and im thinking about ordering a hanna alk checker because ive read that is the most important thing to monitor. Using API right now hard to get accurate reading

 

[Webslinger]

do you do weekly water changes? Kalk in the ato works great for me.

 

[KDG730]

do you do weekly water changes? Kalk in the ato works great for me.

right now usually 20% bi weekly

 

[Mikedawg]

Hi guys just got my first 4 frags. 2 favias 1 monti cap (i think thats what it is) and a duncan. 75g tank w 20g sump

my question is do i need to start dosing right away? Or will 4 small frags not need it for a while and the levels will be ok with water changes?

i do have Brs two part ready to go and im thinking about ordering a hanna alk checker because ive read that is the most important thing to monitor. Using API right now hard to get accurate reading

Since you don't know current alk/cal usage or whether regular water change will sufficiently replace all/cal consumption, you should do nothing until you use good test kits to monitor/understand levels of consumption. I suspect that four small drags will have marginal impact, at least at first. Chasing numbers is often difficult and expensive, especially when you don't have to. Good luck

 

[Joedubyk]

i can almost guarantee you do not need to dose at the moment.

 

[Payne Train]

Hi guys just got my first 4 frags. 2 favias 1 monti cap (i think thats what it is) and a duncan. 75g tank w 20g sump

my question is do i need to start dosing right away? Or will 4 small frags not need it for a while and the levels will be ok with water changes?

i do have Brs two part ready to go and im thinking about ordering a hanna alk checker because ive read that is the most important thing to monitor. Using API right now hard to get accurate reading

I am becoming curious of this as well - I have a handfull of duncans and a fathead dendro. I am doing my water changes every 10-14 days (about 20%)
I am planning on getting some frogspawn/hammer/torch type coral here pretty soon.

I use RedSea coral pro reef salt mix that has Alk and Cal nutrients in it. I use that salt with the thought that maybe water changes will be enough for some time.

 

[jack_aubry]

way easier to over shoot when there is not enough demand than to get levels too low. Don't make my mistake and dose before you need to.

 

[WIReefer]

I would order better test kits like stated above most likely water changes will do the job if you have to dose I would suggest kalkwasser.

 

[KDG730]

Thanks everyone very helpful replies. Looks like im gonna order some more accurate test kits and just use the water changes for a while until the demand is needed

 

[KDG730]

Question with this now. Since im relying on the water changes for now and im only using instant ocean salt

Would it be benficial to switch to a different salt that has my target parameters, more calcium alk etc? Reef crystals or another?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Measure alkalinity with a kit. If and when it drops below where you want it, dose.

Don't be afraid to dose. But don't dose unless a test indicates the need.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Question with this now. Since im relying on the water changes for now and im only using instant ocean salt

Would it be benficial to switch to a different salt that has my target parameters, more calcium alk etc? Reef crystals or another?

It is likely fine. What are your target levels?

 

[KDG730]

It is likely fine. What are your target levels?

i couldnt tell you to be honest. Api kit reading 7 dkh a few times today one time it was 8. I did it 3 or 4 times. Again not sure how accurate ive heard things. But 7 Seems low?

Tank will mostly be LPS for now. Any recommendations on levels to shoot for?

 

[Adam Schindler]

I was very disappointed with API results. I switched to salifert for most. I do use Hanna for alk now. Api seemed to consistently be all over the place.

 

[KDG730]

I was very disappointed with API results. I switched to salifert for most. I do use Hanna for alk now. Api seemed to consistently be all over the place.

Yeah that’s definitely what im seeing. I do think im going to get the hanna for alk just seems so much easier and accurate

 

[Adam Schindler]

Yea I have a Hanna cal, alk, and ulr phosphate. The calcium can be kinda iffy at times. I stick with salifert for cal normally. But the Alk checker is awesome!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

7d

i couldnt tell you to be honest. Api kit reading 7 dkh a few times today one time it was 8. I did it 3 or 4 times. Again not sure how accurate ive heard things. But 7 Seems low?

Tank will mostly be LPS for now. Any recommendations on levels to shoot for?

7-8 dKH is fine.