what are your parms

[kirby_32]

I'm using Reef Crystals.

That was the plan to use the dosers to spread the dose out but someone put the idea of a reacor in my head and now has me thinking again.

 

[kirby_32]

The dosers were also my justification for getting an ACjr. Wouldn't have to buy more timers for the dosers and could also stop the dosing if the pH went out of wack (because of over dosing).

 

[jbarone]

With the dosers and the acjr you pretty much have the reactor.

The only down side for me is the mixing of baking soda and dowflake. Kind of a PITA. I always run low when I'm lazy.

 

[Letmegrow]

I dose ALK every 3 days, heavily.

Calcium I do when it gets down to 360ish.

Mag I do with in a few days of a large water change.

 

[StupidsReef]

pH 8.3---I shoot for 8.1
Cal 440---I shoot for 420
Alk 15.4----I shoot for 11
Mag 1290----I shoot for 1350

I obviously over dosed the Alk and not enough Mag. But I'm doing water changes to correct that mistake. As far as my temp goes it flux's from 78* @ nite to 81* during the day.

 

[Letmegrow]

Just to narrow down my routines and put numbers to it.

Seachem Reef Builder Alk.
.50lbs for 170 estimated gallons.

Seachem Calcium or Advantage Calcium(what ever)
.08lbs for 170 estimated gallons.

Don't ask me why I dose by weight, I just do.
Second thought it's because my scale is too big to grow legs and walk away, where as my measuring utensils vanish never to be seen again.

I will have to get back with you on the Mag for when I do a water change.

 

[kirby_32]

I hope others are benefiting from this conversation. I realize every tank is different and there are different approaches to the same problem but appreciate everyone sharing their knowledge/experience. Good info for a noob like me.

 

[Letmegrow]

Since we are sharing....

As we know you can't always go by test and numbers.

Sight, touch, and smell can't be overlooked.

I know I am dosing enough when then glass in front of my return lines becomes peppered with coraline algae spots.

It always grows in areas of high flow.

 

[kirby_32]

Actually I figured with your experience you would be tasting the water and would be able to tell your levels.

I'm just starting to get some growth on the glass and a little purple on the rocks. I do also have some green coraline on my rocks.