How much can I dose daily?

EDJFA

New member
Checked my levels yesterday and found that my levels are off:

Alk/Kh - 8-9 (API test which isn't super accurate)
Mg - 1170 (Salifert)
Calcium - 320

I'm using Seachem additive powders and following their dosing schedules. I have quite a bit of them since I have acquired multiples of the 2.6lb varieties when I've purchased other people's stuff. I figure I'll use those all up before I start buying other products. I've got over 7lbs of Reefbuilder and over 2lbs of their magnesium.

Anyway, I don't think I need to raise the alk that much, so probably a few doses over the next couple days should do the trick.

But, my magnesium and calcium are lower than I would like. How much is a safe amount to dose for those two on a daily basis? I would assume that you don't want to try to raise them up to their ideal levels in one day. Shooting for 9 on alk, 450 on calcium, and 1300 on Mg.

Am I doing this in the right order? alk --->Mg--->Calcium
 
I'm no expert, but I'd start with Mag-->Ca-->Alk.

Use the BRS Calculator to figure out required doses, then consider breaking them up over a day or two.
 
Didn't know BRS had a calculator. I'll check that out. Thanks.

OK, so the BRS calculator says I'm supposed to add 72 oz of Magnesium Sulfate crystals or 61 oz of Magnesium Chloride crystals, or 890 tsp of the BRS mix.

Seems like either the calculator is off or this is a way bigger deal than I thought. Found another calculator that lets me specify which product I'm using and it says I need to add 92.45oz of Seachem Advantage Magnesium. That's 5.77 pounds of that stuff.

Sounds like it would be better to do a 200g water change over the next week.
 
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FWIW, I use Red Sea Pro Salt and really dont have to dose much... I think test your water before the change and see where it's at. If the params are better there then water changes over time should bring your Mag up at least, Calc and Alk to, depending on usage from your tank.
 
All great advice above

As stated raise your mag and test till your at a good level. Instant Ocean is known for having low mag
 
How much can I dose daily?

I use the orange IO salt. I can get pics of the tank, but what is it that you guys needs pics of specifically?

I'm almost out of salt, so maybe it's time to try a new brand.
 
There are a few threads about the different salts and the levels they average. I've tried a few different brands and ended up staying with IO

Just remember its going to take time to notice the difference if you do change
 
I use the orange IO salt. I can get pics of the tank, but what is it that you guys needs pics of specifically?

I'm almost out of salt, so maybe it's time to try a new brand.


if you do stay with IO, i got some boxes of IO i can get rid off, im in st. charles too. lmk if your interested.
 
I use the orange IO salt. I can get pics of the tank, but what is it that you guys needs pics of specifically?

I'm almost out of salt, so maybe it's time to try a new brand.

Just take a fts and lay the corals that you have.
 
To answer your original question, on how much can you raise per day...

If you were meaning how much can I change levels in a day, then the answer would be the following.
Alk--1dKH per day
Ca--50 ppm per day
Mg--50 ppm per day

I'd also recommend 1350 as your Mg target, everything else sounds good to me.

As far as trying a new brand, I agree. You would be better off using a reef blended salt over just a basic marine salt.
 
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