When to start dosing calcium & alkalinity?

[nthanhalan]

I'm planning to start with a few small coral and all my parameters are in line.

Calcium = 460 ppm
Alkalinity = 8 dKH

My tank is a 34gal and a 20% water change every other week?

Can I start dosing, even with the water change? The calcium and alkalinity will be high, but it's that okay?

 

[Crabs McJones]

Only start dosing when your water changes cannot keep your calcium and alkalinity at the levels you want them. 8DKH and 460PPM calcium are pretty good levels. What i'd do monitor your alk and calcium depletion between water changes, if its significant enough then start dosing. But, if with water changes, your levels are staying at that, I wouldn't bother just yet

 

[nthanhalan]

Only start dosing when your water changes cannot keep your calcium and alkalinity at the levels you want them. 8DKH and 460PPM calcium are pretty good levels. What i'd do monitor your alk and calcium depletion between water changes, if its significant enough then start dosing. But, if with water changes, your levels are staying at that, I wouldn't bother just yet

What happen if the calcium and alkalinity is too high? wouldn't the coral just eat it up? I want to set it up; so my little nephew only need to change the water while i'm traveling, and not bother with all the technicalities.

 

[Reefahholic]

I’m with crabs. If your tank is young and not growing enough to “out-run” your water changes, then just wait...supplementation is not needed yet. If the parameters start to take a dive before your next water change...then you need to replace what’s being depleted.

 

[Reefahholic]

What happen if the calcium and alkalinity is too high? wouldn't the coral just eat it up? I want to set it up; so my little nephew only need to change the water while i'm traveling, and not bother with all the technicalities.

Yes, the corals will eventually consume the higher levels over time depending on the tanks age and stability level.

 

[nthanhalan]

Yes, the corals will eventually consume the higher levels over time depending on the tanks age and stability level.

Would high level of calcium & alkalinity damage the fish? Is there a general guidelines of how many coral should you have in tank? just like fish, rock, and sand?

 

[jda]

When they get high, they precipitate out of the water and/or cause the other to go low - it is hard to keep alk stable with high calcium and hard to keep calcium stable with high alk. Balance in the acceptable range is good. Too high or too low are both equally bad.

 

[nthanhalan]

When they get high, they precipitate out of the water and/or cause the other to go low - it is hard to keep alk stable with high calcium and hard to keep calcium stable with high alk. Balance in the acceptable range is good. Too high or too low are both equally bad.

I thought only water precipitate, all all mineral stay back? That why, we just add rodi water.

In that case shouldn't I need to dose? What level they don't evaporate?

 

[jda]

Precipitation is when elements turn solid and fall out of the water. Evaporation is when water goes away and you replace it with RODI.

 

[nthanhalan]

Precipitation is when elements turn solid and fall out of the water. Evaporation is when water goes away and you replace it with RODI.

Gotcha... Hey, is there a general rule for how much coral you can have in a tank? Just like fish, rock, and sand

 

[Mykesocalreef]

Simple answer is no. Size, space, shadowing, flow restricting, element uptake and coral warfare all have to go into your decisions. Thing long term like 1-2 years what will everything look like as full colonies.

 

[nthanhalan]

Will my coral grow back if one branch is still alive and the other two are dead?

 

[Mykesocalreef]

That doesn't look very promising..

 

[Reefahholic]

That tank looks young my friend. Give it time to mature. Then you’ll be able to keep more corals without issues.

 

[nthanhalan]

That doesn't look very promising..

Ouch.... That hurt..haha. hate when something dies

 

[nthanhalan]

That tank looks young my friend. Give it time to mature. Then you’ll be able to keep more corals without issues.

I know that tank is young, but I don't want to make big mistakes in the long run.. Right now it's couple of dead coral

 

[nthanhalan]

That doesn't look very promising..

So, the branches aren't connected? Reach provide there own support?

 

[Mykesocalreef]

So, the branches aren't connected? Reach provide there own support?

I cant tell from your picture what is alive and what is dead to be honest. How did it die? Quickly, slowly? I do not see any flesh. Once they grow out enough they are independent.

 

[nthanhalan]

I cant tell from your picture what is alive and what is dead to be honest. How did it die? Quickly, slowly? I do not see any flesh. Once they grow out enough they are independent.

Been using a defective refractormeter since startup until couple coral died, that I took the water to get tested at a LFS. My salinity was 1.036. they die within a day

 

[FLSharkvictim]

Been using a defective refractormeter since startup until couple coral died, that I took the water to get tested at a LFS. My salinity was 1.036. they die within a day

I'm planning to start with a few small coral and all my parameters are in line.

Calcium = 460 ppm
Alkalinity = 8 dKH

My tank is a 34gal and a 20% water change every other week?

Can I start dosing, even with the water change? The calcium and alkalinity will be high, but it's that okay?

Mate, why are you taking out so much water every month?
If you don't have the loot for a brand new doser, I have a really nice Eshoops which include the slave that I will be listing in the seller section. a little later,