Dosing Recs.

[JRPhd]

Finally got my 2 part B-ionic. Don't know my actual tank volume as it's a wierd shape (stretch hex), but it is a 40 gallon. Current parameters for the purposes of dosing:
ph = 8.2
Ca = 325
Kh = 7.9

Planning to add LPS, so want to get that Ca up. Was thinking 7.5 ml each (a bit below the .1ml per 4 gallons). Good bad start? Will obviously keep checking in on the parameters.

Jon

 

[WaterKeeper]

Here is Randy's calculator for dosing anything and everything-Dosing Calculator

 

[mg426]

I agree that the calculator is the way to start.

 

[bertoni]

For a daily dose, I was using abut 15ml of each in a soft coral 29g tank. That's very approximate, but should be a reasonable sanity check. The calculator and some daily testing will help you get the proper dose.

 

[JRPhd]

K, so the calculator says:
to get to 8 dkh alk dose = 1.8 ml; 0 fl oz; 0.3 tsp

to get to 417 Ca dose = 230.3 ml; 7.7 fl oz; 46 tsp

So, do I dose this much to get to the desired Ca/Alk, then figure out what you need to stay at this level? I would imagine I do the initial recommended doses over the course of a few days...

Why Ca of 417, @ 417 I'd have balanced alk of 8.0. So is that what I'm shooting for?

Thanks guys,
Jon

 

[WaterKeeper]

JR,

Randy takes a balanced approach to using additives. For your tank it appears that the calculated dose will produce an outcome of Ca at 417 and an alk of 8.0 over time. I suppose his calculator could say dose 228.1465 ml of additive to get Ca at 400 but even Randy has some compassion for the metrically challenged.

I think those are intended as weekly additions added over the course of a week. You need to test, I'd say once a week, and adjust the dose based on the test results. After awhile it should get fairly constant and you can cut testing back to like monthly.

 

[bertoni]

The "balance" part of the chemistry calculator can be ignored. That feature is computing some value for Ca ppm based on alkalinity, but I don't think there's any science behind it. The chemistry forum has more. The moderator doesn't seem to believe in that part, either.