dosing additives

[Tooboot]

so I've been looking through various threads and seaching through the internet on what to dose and how much, but there are so many products out there (Seachem seems to have a number that do the same thing, seems like duplication).

I am wondering what you all do to keep your parameters up, mainly Alk, Cal, and Mg.

I have Salifert test kits for Mg and Alk, and Hanna checker for the Cal (out of regent at the moment). no SPS in the tank yet, but do have zoas, mushrooms and some LPS. I am currently dosing Seachem's Reef Carbonate for Alk and Kent Marine liquid calcium to my ATO. for the most part so far the evaporation is consistent and the amounts I am dosing have kept parameters stable. I add Mg dosing manually and separately. last check about a week ago the Alk was at 8, MG at 1220 (yes a little low and working on bringing this up slowly), Cal (tested about a month ago) was 400.

I understand that this is not ideal since I am putting both in the same bucket to add to the aquarium water, but it is temporary. I have ordered a dosing pump with 3 heads and have 2 dosing containers that arrived this week, so I do plan on separating the dosing of Alk and Cal, and automating it all.

the new incoming "toys" are the reason for looking into this and I would also like to start adding some SPS.

so what do you use as products, and how are you dosing. if using liquid additives do you dilute it in the dosing containers, pull it straight from the bottle?

thanks,

 

[MrDemonicAngel]

I've only got a 20g nano so I just do regular WC. No additional dosing.

 

[Tooboot]

I do about a 15% water change every 10-11 days, seems to keep my salinity in check, but want to keep everything as stable as possible. it's a 46g bowfront with a 20g sump.

 

[TYC]

so I've been looking through various threads and seaching through the internet on what to dose and how much, but there are so many products out there (Seachem seems to have a number that do the same thing, seems like duplication).

so what do you use as products, and how are you dosing. if using liquid additives do you dilute it in the dosing containers, pull it straight from the bottle?

thanks,

Thing about dosing that confused me at first was all this info out there about target Alk & Cal #'s but what most of them failed to mention was that when you dose you are looking to REPLENISH the Alk & Cal being used up by the aquarium inhabitants, i.e. corals & inverts. Joe Jaworski has a very good article about how to dose and u can ask him questions on his blog (he's very prompt in responding) https://joejaworski.wordpress.com/2014/05/19/the-right-way-to-use-2-part-additives/

First measure the Alk & Cal level of freshly made saltwater and compare this to the Alk & Cal level of your existing tank water with fish/corals in them. The difference in these levels is the amount of Alk & Cal you will need to replenish via 2-part dosing. Joe's blog will explain how to calculate the right dose and initial method of dosing.

You should use the same brand of Alk & Cal, they sell them as "2-part dosers" online such as Bulk Reef Supply (BRS) & Marine Depot. Depending on size u buy, u may have to dilute them when they arrive. Some are sold in concentrated dose, please read the instruction on the packaging. I use B-Ionic. They should never be administered simultaneously, staggered at 5 mins interval or else if they come in direct contact the Alk & Cal will form clumps in the water.

hope this helps.

 

[billdogg]

I have been using the 2 part from BRS. It is very easy to use and at a reasonable price. I use BRS dosers connected to digital lamp timers because of their ease of use as well.

 

[Tooboot]

thanks,

I guess I am aware of how much my tank uses up given what I have had to dose to maintain parameters to date, it has been fairly constant with refilling the ATO reservoir every 3 days (small pet food container DIY'ed to be used as an ATO reservoir). I have noticed settlement by now building up in the bottom of the ATO reservoir, hence the reason for getting a dosser with 2 separate containers.

I am sure I can find similar products in canada, but the price to order from BRS or Marine Depot and ship it to my doorstep is too steep. the dosser that is coming in is programmable so ideally this will help a great deal.

I guess I was really wondering how to dilute, is it simple math where if I currently add 10ml of the liquid reef carbonate to my ATO every refill now, would I simply do the same ratios later with the dosser and try to match the amount currently being added manually? I can see this working, but requiring regular testing and adjusting. given that my current approach probably creates some minor fluctuations, I don't see there being much of an issue with this method as I am trying to dial the some stability.

 

[TYC]

thanks,

I guess I was really wondering how to dilute, is it simple math where if I currently add 10ml of the liquid reef carbonate to my ATO every refill now, would I simply do the same ratios later with the dosser and try to match the amount currently being added manually? I can see this working, but requiring regular testing and adjusting. given that my current approach probably creates some minor fluctuations, I don't see there being much of an issue with this method as I am trying to dial the some stability.

I've never used "liquid carbonate" nor have read/heard that much about it being used... looks like this is only adding Alk to ur tank...since u have dosers coming, I'd look into starting 2-part dosing bc Alk & Cal needs to be added together for balance and in order for the tank inhabitants to utilize Alk they need balanced levels of Alk & Cal.

 

[Tooboot]

I've never used "liquid carbonate" nor have read/heard that much about it being used... looks like this is only adding Alk to ur tank...since u have dosers coming, I'd look into starting 2-part dosing bc Alk & Cal needs to be added together for balance and in order for the tank inhabitants to utilize Alk they need balanced levels of Alk & Cal.

oh, I thought I had to add those two separate, or is it different when it is 2-part dosing. right now they (Kent the liquid calcium, and Reef Carbonate by Seachem) are both being added to my ATO reservoir (at the same time) then added to the sump when the floats trigger the ATO.

so for the 2-part dosing you speak of, would I throw them both in one dosing reservoir, set the dosser accordingly and let it go, I am thinking it would be best to dose separately in order to add the required Alk and Cal accordingly (based on what corals I have in the tank there may be less Cal need or....). and should the dosser be set to add them at the same time (even if in separate containers).

 

[TYC]

so for the 2-part dosing you speak of, would I throw them both in one dosing reservoir, set the dosser accordingly and let it go, I am thinking it would be best to dose separately in order to add the required Alk and Cal accordingly (based on what corals I have in the tank there may be less Cal need or....). and should the dosser be set to add them at the same time (even if in separate containers).

2-part dosing must be dosed staggered appx 5 mins apart, if Alk & Cal come in direct contact in the water, they'll form white clumps. Typically people use 2 dosing pumps, one for Alk and one for Calcium.

 

[TYC]

when I said "together" i meant they both have to be used, u cannot just use Alk alone

 

[Tooboot]

2-part dosing must be dosed staggered appx 5 mins apart, if Alk & Cal come in direct contact in the water, they'll form white clumps. Typically people use 2 dosing pumps, one for Alk and one for Calcium.

perfect, that was what I thought and intended to do. the dosing pump comes with three heads.

 

[billdogg]

If the product from BRS or MarineDepot is to expensive, do a search for "Randy's DIY 2-part"

 

[homer1475]

I guess I am aware of how much my tank uses up given what I have had to dose to maintain parameters to date, it has been fairly constant with refilling the ATO reservoir every 3 days (small pet food container DIY'ed to be used as an ATO reservoir). I have noticed settlement by now building up in the bottom of the ATO reservoir, hence the reason for getting a dosser with 2 separate containers.

oh, I thought I had to add those two separate, or is it different when it is 2-part dosing. right now they (Kent the liquid calcium, and Reef Carbonate by Seachem) are both being added to my ATO reservoir (at the same time) then added to the sump when the floats trigger the ATO.

Your already dosing 2 part albeit completely wrong.

Those 2 are already a 2 part solution, The kent product being the calcium part, and the seachem being the alkalinity part. The white clumps, and sediment your seeing is from mixing them in your ATO. They are designed to be added straight to the tank and not mixed, or added to your ATO.

You do not dose 2 part by adding it to your ATO. Kalk or kalkwasser goes in your ATO, 2 part is added directly to the tank.

I would suggest reading some information on how to dose 2 part before you venture further. BRS has some great videos on youtube on how to use 2 part.

Randy Holmes Farley has a great article on DIY 2 part thats actually quite cheap. I like using his alkalinity part because it's just plain old baking soda. The calcium and magnesium parts are a little harder for me to find locally, so I just use the BRS chemicals for them.

 

[Tooboot]

Your already dosing 2 part albeit completely wrong.

Those 2 are already a 2 part solution, The kent product being the calcium part, and the seachem being the alkalinity part. The white clumps, and sediment your seeing is from mixing them in your ATO. They are designed to be added straight to the tank and not mixed, or added to your ATO.

You do not dose 2 part by adding it to your ATO.

Don't get me wrong I know it's not right at the moment, that's why I'm getting a dossing pump and want to split up dosing. This was only meant to be temporary and the reason I haven't added any sps yet.

I just wasn't sure if I should dilute the product in the bottle with some fresh water in a dosing container and dose more each time or dose straight from the product bottle in smaller quantities each dose.

I do plan on measuring the swing over a period of days, and will be changing the ato reservoir before measuring rhetoric swing to calculate the ideal amount to add each dose. Would diluting the 2 part and keeping it in separate containers cause any issues (this may be dependent on the product itself)

 

[Scott B]

I hope got point of not adding it in any shape or form, diluted or not diluted to your ATO. It must go in your sump or tank, preferably in front of a power head or where there is plenty of water movement.

 

[Tooboot]

Yep that's the point of ordering the dosing pump and asking the specific questions, fixing my mistake. I read it could be done temporarily which was always the plan (my first few batches of salt mix had low alkaline results), after Reaser ching different pumps and setups I made my order and am just waiting for it to get here. While I'm waiting I'm trying to learn from others, which I thought was the point of the newbie forum. But thanks for not answering my questions related to when I do have the dosing pump ando repeating Homer'so previous response