<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15324163#post15324163 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Lightsluvr
I'd like to know more...how you established the need (trial and error), your doing system, etc.
My experience with dosing originated in Germany in the mid 90's. The Balling Method of dosing was becoming popular. The "full" Balling Method is complex and can be rather expensive. Simplified (and cheaper) versions of the method were quickly developed - that is what I use. Basically the method entails the dosing of:
1. Alk in the form of sodium hydrogen carbonate (soda ash)
2. Calcium in the form of calcium chloride dihydrate
3. Magnesium in the form of a mixture of magnesium chloride hexahydrate and magnesium sulfate heptahydrate (Epsom Salts) in a ratio of approx. 5 to 3
4. If desired trace elements, such as strontium, iodide, potassium, etc. can be dosed - mixed with the main supplements.
As you can see, the simplified Balling Dosing Method is almost exactly what is normally called 2-part supplementation +Mg, here in the States. Randy Holmes-Farley has written many articles in the ReefKeeping Mag. about the 2-part method. As a matter of fact, I think he is generally credited with developing it.
Dosing of the 3 main supplements (Alk, Ca, Mg) is based on the system's need for ALK. Once the Alk level has been stabilized, at the desired level, and assuming the supplement solutions have been mixed correctly, the levels of Ca and Mg will automatically range around the needed values.
The original formulas I learned in Germany required that 1 gram of chemical be added to 16mL of RO water. This is for Alk and Ca. Mg was a little different - the correct formula was 1 gram of the magnesium chloride-magnesium sulfate mix to 26mL of RO water.
That's the way I learned it. Using those formulas dosing was accomplished by supplying .025 grams of the Alk and Ca per day per gallon of system water. Sounds complicated, doesn't it? It was. It can all be done much simpler. Read the articles by Randy or check out one of RC's sponsor sites like BRS - they have the whole thing described in detail and in very simple terms.
As for my system, here are the formulas I use:
Alk - 4 cups (32oz) sodium hydrogen carbonate in 2gals RO/DI water.
Ca - 4 cups (32oz) calcium chloride dihydrate in 2gals RO/DI water.
Mg - 1.6 cups (12.8oz) magnesium chloride hexahydrate and 1 cup (8oz) magnesium sulfate heptahydrate in 2gals RO/DI water.
I started dosing at a rate of .4mL per gallon of EACH solution per day. As my frag and fuge tanks are not yet on-line that means .4 X 330gals = 132mL of each solution per day.
Before I started dosing I made sure my Alk, Ca, and Mg params were in line by first testing - then I added supplements in an amount necessary to get the values to my desired level (Alk 8.0, Ca 440, Mg 1350). I used one of the various on-line calculators to determine how much I needed to dose to get the params where they were supposed to be. Important Note - you should not raise Alk etc. too quickly. Probably 1 dKH per day should be the max - but don't take my word for it. Read the great articles by Randy on the subject. You can find them in the RKM archives.
When I started dosing I performed an Alk test every day until I got a feel for where the value was going. In my case it was perfect, I didn't have to make any adjustments. If the value is going up or down, it's a simple matter of adjusting the electronic timers to raise or lower the dosing times, as the case may be. If you raise (or lower)the Alk dosing times, then you should raise Ca and Mg also.
Right now each of my three dosers is on for 10 minutes at a time 8 times a day. One quickly gets to the point where their params are totally stable.
Hoped this helped.
I also use mostly pocket hole joinery (my trusty Kreg Jig) together with epoxy glue. Works great and results in a surprisingly strong joint.
, this is a LOT BETTER!!
