I have a 27g cube that's been running for about 2 months now. It has a cleaner shrimp along with a peppermint shrimp and various cleanup crew members. I have a decent amount of coralline growing already without dosing anything. What should I dose to start getting ready for corals?
What to start dosing for corals?
- Thread starter Jdurm55
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rayn
Bluefin Believer
Test and you will know. No one can tell you what to dose, as it is your tank.
Generally if you have a low level of corals then water changes may be okay. As you add corals and the nutrient uptake grows, test. Test in the morning and again at night, this tells you how much is being used. Dose that appropriately. Possibly a two part BRS system, but you could get by smaller scale.
When it comes to dosing, DON'T UNLESS YOU TEST FOR IT.
Generally if you have a low level of corals then water changes may be okay. As you add corals and the nutrient uptake grows, test. Test in the morning and again at night, this tells you how much is being used. Dose that appropriately. Possibly a two part BRS system, but you could get by smaller scale.
When it comes to dosing, DON'T UNLESS YOU TEST FOR IT.
klesel
Active Member
Wouldn't dose anything till you test your water see where your parameters are . then go from there if you don't have anything far as corals then your water changes will keep most of your levels where they need to be but as you put corals in you will see your levels start to drop . if you got good amount of coralline then your calcium and alk might be dropping. I probably get brs 2 part. Its pretty much everything you need .
Dosing is about depletion. Depending on your livestock(coraline and macros included), you will use up the big 3 Ca AKL MAG.
By testing over weeks you'll be able to see what is being used, and how much you need to replace.
And it will change over time as the coralline grows in and the corals grow. so weekly testing and write it down to compare.
By testing over weeks you'll be able to see what is being used, and how much you need to replace.
And it will change over time as the coralline grows in and the corals grow. so weekly testing and write it down to compare.
ihavecrabs
2500 Club Member
Agreed with all of the above. If you want some area to focus on, KH (alkalinity) and Ca (calcium) are the two to focus on. Until you become more stocked with corals you won't have to worry about magnesium unless you use a salt mix that is typically on the low scale.
I'd recommend getting the Red Sea Triation test kits. Very easy to use since when you start dosing you'll use them a lot [emoji58][emoji106]
As far as where you want those levels to be at, it will depend on if you are going ULNS or not. Wherever you chose to shoot for, make sure you match your salt so you are not battling each WC and keep them stable. That is my 2 cents.
I'd recommend getting the Red Sea Triation test kits. Very easy to use since when you start dosing you'll use them a lot [emoji58][emoji106]
As far as where you want those levels to be at, it will depend on if you are going ULNS or not. Wherever you chose to shoot for, make sure you match your salt so you are not battling each WC and keep them stable. That is my 2 cents.
Randy Holmes-Farley
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My Tank Thread
Test just alkalinity to start. If it has not depleted, calcium and magnesium have not either. 
That's the man to trust!Test just alkalinity to start. If it has not depleted, calcium and magnesium have not either.
Beautiful. Looks healthy too.
Couple of pics of my tank
Salty1962
Wrasse and SPS Lover
For a tank your size regular water changes should keep your levels up until, or if, you get SPS/LPS heavy. To be successful you should invest in good testers: Hanna, Etc. to make sure your levels are where they need to be. JM$.02W
