Questions about 2 part dosing

[shuguley]

I am a bit confused about 2 part dosing. I uindestand a lot of people use B-Ionics 2 Part, and I understand that corals need calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium maintained. But I am confused about how and when to start.

This past weekend I picked up a few small coral frags from LFS. I got a small candy, zoanthid, and xenia.

Currently I have never done anything with my aquarium except weekly 10% water changes. My SG is 1.025 - 1.026, Calcium is 400-420, Alk is 4 meq/L.

My question is, should I go ahead and start dosing, or do I wait for my levels to drop, then dose? I am just confused, because my levels are currently good, if I does now will it make calcium and alk too high?

 

[kfisc]

The reason I use the two part is to raise and maintain adequate levels; if your levels are good, then don't add.

They'll drop eventually, at which point you can begin adding and watching the uptake through tests; you'll soon get a feel for how much your tank depletes on a weekly basis.

 

[shuguley]

I guess what I really want to know is... if I started dosing now, is it possible, using B-Ionics, to raise my alk and calcium too high?

 

[pledosophy]

Yes, it is very easy to do. Which is why you need to test for anything you are adding to your system.

 

[crvz]

absolutely you can raise them too high. like pledosophy says, test if you're dosing something.

 

[funman1]

Your alk seems EXTREMELY LOW for SPS...
It needs to be up around 8-10...
You need to raise it slowly (.5 up each day) till you reach 8-10

Then you dose as your tank needs, if Alk drops a tad below 8 then dose alk till it gets back up.
If CA drops below 390 dose CA till it gets back up 420ish.

Same goes with MG except you can raise that 200-300 parts per day just fine

 

[Toddrtrex]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13187486#post13187486 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by funman1
Your alk seems EXTREMELY LOW for SPS...
It needs to be up around 8-10...
You need to raise it slowly (.5 up each day) till you reach 8-10

Then you dose as your tank needs, if Alk drops a tad below 8 then dose alk till it gets back up.
If CA drops below 390 dose CA till it gets back up 420ish.

Same goes with MG except you can raise that 200-300 parts per day just fine

His alk is fine. It was listed as 4 meg/l which is equal to 11.2. So if anything it is a tiny bit high.

 

[funman1]

Ahh thanks for the good eye..
I'm not used to people posting like that and did not catch that!!!
Yep a tad high!! not low!!

Thanks for correcting me..