What are you guys dosing?

[Andyf30]

So I am running an almost entirely sps and clam tank, and I have been using B-ionic 2 part and Magnesium for over a year and a half now. I was curious what you guys were dosing in your tanks (as far as brands), since I keep having algae problems and believe that the numerous trace elements in the B-ionic may be partially at fault for allowing the algae to stick around no matter what I try to do to eliminate it.

Thanks,
Andy

 

[dowtish]

BRS 2 part/Kalk
Warner Marine Aminos once every 2 weeks

 

[Allmost]

b-ionic here as well. Love it and makes SPS colors really nicer than dosing plain calcium-chloride.

the trace elements sure do enable algae to grow, if other conditions for the algae are right, like higher nutrients or lower number of algae eater.

 

[Andyf30]

Well my nutrients have been in check for a few weeks (PO4 is 0 on Hanna, and Nitrates are 0 on API test kit), and I have a tomini tang and recently added hermits and nassarius and some emerald crabs who have been helping. I think the culprit may be my top off. Tested last night with a hand held TDS meter and is came up with 17ppm. Thought I'd been getting RO/DI all along, and turns out I'm getting RO

 

[xtlosx]

Seachem Reef Fusion Part 1 & 2, Lugols, and that's it..

 

[Allmost]

where is this algae problem ? does it grow on the sand ? a certain rock ? or everywhere even on glass too ?

if its just on sand or rock, it could be that they contain higher nutrients than water around it ... just a thought.

 

[krzyphsygy]

BRS Cal/Alk/Mag

 

[Andyf30]

where is this algae problem ? does it grow on the sand ? a certain rock ? or everywhere even on glass too ?

if its just on sand or rock, it could be that they contain higher nutrients than water around it ... just a thought.

I have thought about that but I've been using the same rock for almost 3 years now and honestly even in the tank, it shouldve leached everything out at this point. It's on most if not all of the rocks (and even spread to the 2 new Real Reef rocks which I know as a fact were cured when I bought them). I have some diatoms or some species of cyano on my sand bed but siphoned a lot out last water change and it seems to be improving. That being said seriously considering going BB at some point in the near future. Just tired of the sand bed growing algae like crazy.

 

[Allmost]

yea I would guess the culprit is something else besides b-ionic.

you should not get diatoms in a cycled reef, if u do, something is missing, something is leaching, or its the RO/DO (17 PPM not that high though !)

real reef rock has alot of SI and po4 in it ... cure is not enough ...they need an acid wash.

either way, solution is dilution ... start doing more water changes, and renew the RO membrane to get 0 PPM water again .

 

[Andyf30]

would guess its not diatoms (this gets bubbles stuck in it occasionally but isnt dinos) so it is most likely in the cyano family. I've been buying RO from an LFS. looks like im either switching or im buying an RO/DI unit for my house.

 

[theaquareef]

Also dosing brs cal alk and mag. Always worked great for me

 

[Andyf30]

Seems like BRS has quite the following here. May have to consider changing brands once I get the RO situation figured out

 

[Paul B]

Drive way ice melter and baking soda.

 

[Piper27]

I notice some fish stores sell water with fairly high tds readings a lot. Always check your source water no matter if your making it or a store.

 

[Wazzel]

Seachem reef advantage calcium and reef builder. My tank is new and only need to dose at half strength to keep things up right now. Not sure if I am going to stick with these once the demand ramps up.

 

[goreef170]

BRS here, alk, mag calcium.....Lugols also

 

[trueblackpercula]

Bionic and tropic marine magnisium everything is rock solid and my sps and clam is doing great.

 

[tofucube]

C-Balance from Two Little Fishies and Kalkwasser

 

[radobahn]

Been using BRS for years. Alk, Mag, and Cal added everyday via bubble magus doser..

 

[Andyf30]

I think I may look into the BRS system. I just ordered the GHL Profilux doser a couple days ago from an online vendor but its backordered 1-3 weeks. I may try to exhaust the vast amount of B-ionic I have left and then make the switch afterwards. Thanks guys.