What should I dose in my reef tank?

[nano_ryan]

What are the best things to dose in my reef tank? Calcium, magnesium, ph buffer? What do you dose in your reef tank and why? Any special products you recommend? I have a 60g and a 150g tank but not sure if in should start dosing anything or the salt (IO) mix will cover it all? Tell me what you think.

 

[CookieRdReef]

KZ coral boost and flatworm stop for growth. Kind of expensive but improves growth without messing without adding phosphates and nitrates. I dose calc and alk and mag as needed per testing results.

 

[andrewkw]

You should start off by dosing whatever is being used up that is not replenished by water changes. Once you get a grasp on that you can move onto other things.

 

[Biglew11]

It depends what corals you have, and how much they use.

Measure calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium, for the major elements.

 

[nano_ryan]

It depends what corals you have, and how much they use.

Measure calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium, for the major elements.

You should start off by dosing whatever is being used up that is not replenished by water changes. Once you get a grasp on that you can move onto other things.

My calcium is about 420 right now and magnesium above around 1440, and havent done a water change for a good month and a half. My alk is super low right now at 6dkh. So should i only dose alkalinity?

 

[andrewkw]

Yes. Start with Alkalinity and be prepared to soon start dosing calcium. While often you end up dosing both in equal parts that is not always the case. Magnesium is used at a much slower rate then calcium / alkalinity.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

My calcium is about 420 right now and magnesium above around 1440, and havent done a water change for a good month and a half. My alk is super low right now at 6dkh. So should i only dose alkalinity?

I would use a quality two part of some sort and dose both calcium and alkalinity (and magnesium if it is a separate part, since it does more than maintain magnesium and should not noticeably raise magnesium over time).

You really do not need to closely monitor calcium when using such a system. Just occassionally be sure it isn't drifting too high or two low.

 

[nano_ryan]

Update, i went to my LFS and got Kent marines Calcium buffer, iodine buffer, dkh buffer, and coral-vite(which provides magnesium). I dosed everything but calcium buffer. How long should i wait in between dosing days?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Update, i went to my LFS and got Kent marines Calcium buffer, iodine buffer, dkh buffer, and coral-vite(which provides magnesium). I dosed everything but calcium buffer. How long should i wait in between dosing days?

Just for clarification, the iodine is not called a buffer. I'm not sure it is useful (it wasn't for me, but some folks feel it is useful for them).

I would not dose calcium unss you determine you need it by testing.

Focus first on alkalinity. Get a kit and measure it.

 

[nano_ryan]

Just for clarification, the iodine is not called a buffer. I'm not sure it is useful (it wasn't for me, but some folks feel it is useful for them).

I would not dose calcium unss you determine you need it by testing.

Focus first on alkalinity. Get a kit and measure it.

Sorry you are correct its not a buffer, just a iodine additive. I wont dose calcium until it drops lower.

 

[Snoopdog]

I would use a quality two part of some sort and dose both calcium and alkalinity (and magnesium if it is a separate part, since it does more than maintain magnesium and should not noticeably raise magnesium over time).

You really do not need to closely monitor calcium when using such a system. Just occassionally be sure it isn't drifting too high or two low.

In a post that showed your tank, which I think you have since torn down, you dosed Kalk correct? Which method is your current preference, Kalk or 2-part?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

In a post that showed your tank, which I think you have since torn down, you dosed Kalk correct? Which method is your current preference, Kalk or 2-part?

I'm not sure which I'd use (or both) setting up a new tank.

I also don't think it matters too much. If one really wants a pH boost, new DIY two parts can have just as much pH boost as limewater/kalkwasser.

 

[Snoopdog]

I'm not sure which I'd use (or both) setting up a new tank.

I also don't think it matters too much. If one really wants a pH boost, new DIY two parts can have just as much pH boost as limewater/kalkwasser.

Randy if you do not mind me asking, when you were dosing limewater, exactly what were you using as far as brand?

 

[H3rm1tCr@b]

I've had to dose phosphates and nitrates because mine are somehow too low. It killed the dinoflagellates off too! I'm guessing that you should test all the parameters you can and compare them to results from other people's tanks and the ocean. Stability is your friend; but he's not mine yet so I've got that going for me.

 

[Uncle99]

I begin dosing when my weekly water change can no longer keep up with consumption.
The testing of Alk every other day and recording the drop will provide consumption information.
So, day 1, Alk 140ppm, day 2, 130ppm, then you need to add Alk to get back to 140ppm, or what you run at.
It won’t take long for you to set a daily dose amount, which should be checked frequently until it runs at a stable level. You can add the same amount of CA, should be close. You can dose MG weekly if you get below say 1260ppm.