Anyone not dosing their sps tank and just doing water changes?

[Ssteve]

Reading through the latest thread in here about what salts everyone is using, I am wondering if anyone is not dosing their sps tanks, and just doing frequent and/or larger water changes? Obviously it wouldn't be practical for large tanks, but I'm running about 65g total water volume, and as I save up for test kits, dosing pumps etc, I've just been doing 8%(5g) water changes about twice a week and the sps I currently have, have been doing pretty well over the last few months.

 

[Jettareefer]

This is a very interesting topic!! I have seen some amazing tanks in the past where people have done nothing but water changes using a good salt. From what I gathered they where doing 20-35% weekly or bi-weekly if not more. As their sps matured and the demand for calcium and other trace elements went up they ultimately had to dose or get a reactor for stability. For a system totaling 65 gallons you could follow that regimen with great success. I would always recommend test your new saltwater before adding it the display just to double check it. One draw back to this method is it more work physically and time consuming. Sorry for rambling hah.
-Addison

 

[ilovesps]

I just do water changes 3 times a week
But got a CR to keep up with the growth rate..

 

[jroovers]

The problem with that approach is that at some point, your SPS coral is going to consume Alk and Ca more quickly than you can replace it through water changes, even if it is at ideal parameters. You may be able to get away with it for a while with a tank full of small frags, or with SPS that are fairly tolerant, or with a mixed reef with a few SPS; however, to maximize SPS growth and colour if that is your focus, stability is key, and the best way to achieve that is through dosing consistent amounts of alkalinity and calcium that match up to your coral's usage.

 

[Ssteve]

I'll get there eventually, just saving up for pumps and such. I've actually been going back and forth on just doing a reactor or two/three part and a reactor.

 

[Jettareefer]

Reactors are great if you can get them dialed in which takes some time. I am always scared I will wipe out my whole tank with one.

 

[jroovers]

I'll get there eventually, just saving up for pumps and such. I've actually been going back and forth on just doing a reactor or two/three part and a reactor.

Two part is really an economical way to go. Keep your eyes open for some used BRS ones if you can't afford new, and buying Ca and Alk in bulk from BRS is probably the best bang for your buck. Compared to the cost of coral and other livestock, and dry goods like skimming and lighting, alk and ca is dirt cheap.

 

[Jettareefer]

Jroovers do you use pump brs dosing pumps ?

 

[jroovers]

Jroovers do you use pump brs dosing pumps ?

Yes, BRS dosers and two 1 gallon water jugs I bought at the grocery store and emptied and drilled a hole through the lid for the hose. I have a second set of jugs I use for mixing - then I just unscrew the lid with the hose, and swap jugs. I dose 1,000 ml of Mg every time I go through a gallon of Alk/Ca in my sump all in one shot.

 

[Jettareefer]

Cool good info. I had another question if you don't mind, how you set the pump to actually dose if you don't have any type of automation(Reefkeeper or Apex)? Reason I ask is I have done hand dosing since I start doing this along time ago and the pumps look like a great way to keep thing consistent since you can spread it out throughout the day. Thanks in advance. -Addison

 

[jroovers]

Cool good info. I had another question if you don't mind, how you set the pump to actually dose if you don't have any type of automation(Reefkeeper or Apex)? Reason I ask is I have done hand dosing since I start doing this along time ago and the pumps look like a great way to keep thing consistent since you can spread it out throughout the day. Thanks in advance. -Addison

Just buy some cheap digital timers, the dose rate is 1.1 ml/s if I'm not mistaken. I have a reefkeeper and use that, but timers most certainly will work.

 

[MBMAX]

The problem with that approach is that at some point, your SPS coral is going to consume Alk and Ca more quickly than you can replace it through water changes, even if it is at ideal parameters. You may be able to get away with it for a while with a tank full of small frags, or with SPS that are fairly tolerant, or with a mixed reef with a few SPS; however, to maximize SPS growth and colour if that is your focus, stability is key, and the best way to achieve that is through dosing consistent amounts of alkalinity and calcium that match up to your coral's usage.

Totally agree..also 30-35% WC 3 times /week could cost more than BRS dry bulk Ca, Alk and Mg.

 

[nonstopfishies]

Just use Baking Soda for the Alk part. Way cheaper than BRS.

 

[jroovers]

Just use Baking Soda for the Alk part. Way cheaper than BRS.

Except you have to bake that baking soda... if you have the time, then go nuts... the BRS stuff however is a better option in terms of time/mess management weighed against any costs savings in my opinion.

 

[trueblackpercula]

Anyone not dosing their sps tank and just doing water changes?

well in my opinion not testing your SPS tank in the long run can be disastrous. there is no way you could no what your ALK,CALCIUM,MAGNISIUM,SALINTY ETC.

An SPS keeper needs to know these things, not to mention that just because you change water who is to say the batch of salt is not bad.

Sorry but I dose two part but even if I didn't nothing would stop me from testing weekly and even some times a few times a week.

 

[jda]

You can buy washing soda at the grocery store - way cheap. You can also just use baking soda - the PH effects are short lived and meaningless in slow additions.

A lifetime supply of DowFlake is like $15 max.