When to start dosing?

[Defect]

So as my tank get more and more full with coral. I am wondering when is the time to start dosing. I have noticed over the past month or so that my Alk is sitting around 7 now and my calcium is 400. I do a weekly 10% water change of 5 gallons but now testing 3 days in a row it seems be falling faster then my 10% can keep up with. When should I consider starting to dose?

Thanks,

Aaron

 

[Tahoe61]

Sounds like it's time or you can look into getting a salt that mixes at a higher ALK, but that is only going to cut it for so long. Alk of 7 is acceptable however once you start to swing down into 6 your going to run into trouble. Make sure your magnesium is around 1350 to stablize your ALK.

 

[Defect]

Thanks for the response. I am currently using red sea pro or salt. Not sure if that is higher or lower on the alk side. I have been happy with it so far. I am trying hard not to chase my numbers but would really like my alk to stabilize at 8.5.

 

[Aquanaut WA]

I liked SALINITY very robust on chems. Otherwise look at BRS dosers and you can add aminos with the extra port.