When and how to begin supplementing Alk & Ca?

[Hooloovoo]

I have been very slowly getting back into reef-keeping after being out of the hobby since the mid 90's. I have been doing quite a bit of research to bring me up to speed with all the changes that have occurred over the last few decades. A lot of that research has been focused on the various options for supplementing Ca & Alk, but all of the recommendations I see seem to assume you already have a fully stocked tank. It doesn't make much sense to me to begin dosing before I've added my first coral, but when and how should I start?

Here is what I have planned, and I would like to know if others think this is a reasonable approach:

1. Make sure tank parameters are stable (temp, salinity, alk, CA, Mg, pH)
2. Begin adding corals (I mainly plan to keep SPS)
   
3. Test frequently and adjust Ca & Alk with two-part by hand at first to familiarize myself with my tanks demand (take lots of notes)
   
4. Begin supplementing kalkwasser in my tank's ATO reservoir once demand warrants it.
5. Add two-part dosing pumps/reservoirs once tank's demand outstrips ability to keep up using kalkwasser in the ATO reservoir alone.

This all seems logical to me, but I would like to hear from those with practical SPS experience. Is there anything I am missing? Steps I would be better off skipping altogether? How quickly did your tank ramp up its demand for Ca & Alk after you began adding coral? Did you add a lot of corals all at once, or did you build up a few at a time?

My first go around with reef-keeping involved mainly trial & error with a lot more errors than my wallet was comfortable with. I really appreciate any advice that can help me avoid some of those errors this time around. I'm hoping the existence of a mature, knowledgeable online community will really make a difference to my reef-keeping experience. Thanks.


Tank: Red Sea Reefer 525 XL (108 G DT, 31 G Sump)
Controller: Neptune Apex (2016)
Lighting: 3x Kessil A360, 2x T5 Retro Kit (2x80W each)
Protein Skimmer: Skimz Oval SV203 DC Internal Protein Skimmer
Return Pump: Ecotech Vectra M1
Powerheads: 2x Neptune WAV
CO2 Scrubber (Not yet in use)
Carbon & GFO Reactors (Not yet in use)

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

That plan seems fine.

Initially, monitor alkalinity. Until it drops below your target level, no dosing is needed. Once it does, start dosing slowly with a balanced calcium and alkalinity system to maintain alkalinity.