dosing trace element, lots of questions...

[Moonstream]

I have never had to does before, but because after the summer I am planning to get lots of SPS frags and maybe a clam, I would really like to make sure that I am getting the right things to dose with. what do I need to dose, and what do I need to dose with? I am also planning to eventually get an ATO.

 

[sassafrass]

nothing but calcium and alk the rest is in your salt mix

 

[Moonstream]

thanks! Ill get the tests for that and mag!

 

[Moonstream]

oh, and also, what is a good brand of tests, and what should I use to actually dose with? thanks!

 

[qfrisco]

In addition to calcium and alk, I'd also dose for magnesium. ESV has products for all three of these. I use their 2-Part calcium buffer and it works well.

For testing, I use Elos for calcium, API for alk, and Salifert for magnesium. My default is to use API, but the API test for calcium was too hard for me to read, so I tried Elos and have been happy with it. I don't think API has a magnesium test, and Salifert was the only brand available at my LFS. I've been happy with that too.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

what do I need to dose, and what do I need to dose with?

You may find these useful:

The “How To” Guide to Reef Aquarium Chemistry for Beginners, Part 1: The Salt Water Itself
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-03/rhf/index.php

The “How To” Guide to Reef Aquarium Chemistry for Beginners, Part 2: What Chemicals Must be Supplemented
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-04/rhf/index.php

The "How To" Guide to Reef Aquarium Chemistry for Beginners, Part 3: pH
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-05/rhf/index.php

The “How To” Guide to Reef Aquarium Chemistry for Beginners,
Part 4: What Chemicals May Detrimentally Accumulate
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-09/rhf/index.php

 

[Moonstream]

thanks! how often do you need to dose/ test?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Depends on the tank and the methods used. Many highly experienced reefers set up a routine and them very infrequently test. I rarely test for anything aside from pH, temperature, and salinity.