What do you dose and why?

[mpoletti]

I've had plenty of discussions with people about dosing recently. I have my own opinions, but I will refrain from commenting until there are a few responses.

I'm just looking for some feedback.

 

[HV1990]

I have been contemplating dosing something to help my reef. My main issue right now are my Montipora. For whatever reason they seem not to do well. I know its not pest so it has to be a chemistry issue. As of right now I only have a CaRx for supplementation. This thread may help me decide which way to go.

 

[mpoletti]

Hugo, You're one of the four people that have recently asked me about dosing and that's why I started this thread. Sometimes I'm just too jaded in my opinions as I can only speak what works for me. I hope that you find a solutuion and montiporas are some one of my favorite corals.

 

[jeffm59]

We do the standard ALK, CA, MAG with dosing pumps but also do Iron, Potassium, Iodine. We only dose what we can test for and only dose the required amount to return the value to normal levels.

Find it makes a large difference in the colors of the sps, dont know why but our system uses alot of Iron. Clams and Macro algae maybe?

Feed the corals with Red Sea Reef Energy A & B as well as BRS Reef Chili

 

[jeffm59]

I have been contemplating dosing something to help my reef. My main issue right now are my Montipora. For whatever reason they seem not to do well. I know its not pest so it has to be a chemistry issue. As of right now I only have a CaRx for supplementation. This thread may help me decide which way to go.

A Green Monti is one of our tells for the tank, when iron is at zero the monti looks grey. Dose with iron and the green color returns.

 

[HV1990]

As most of us know each tank and its demands are different.
However seeing the pictures of other reefer tanks, such as Marks or Tom and a few others, that do not supplement and the colors are just amazing.

 

[mpoletti]

As most of us know each tank and its demands are different.
However seeing the pictures of other reefer tanks, such as Marks or Tom and a few others, that do not supplement and the colors are just amazing.

You should try the urine method :thumbsup:

 

[psykobowler]

I mentioned iron to Hugo in his montipora thread in the sps forum. I rely on water changes, my calcium reactor and kalk reactor for ca, alk and trace elements. I mix different ca Rx media together, eg brightwell coral Lazarus, knop koralith. I dose 10/3 cups ratio of mgcl and mgso4 weekly just to keep my mag at around
1500. I also do the iron, potassium and iodine via fergon, brightwell potassion and lugols weekly. My reasoning, the iron helps chaeto turn green. I dose a bit of potassium because I carbon dose. Bacteria driven systems can become potassium limited. I dose lugols to bump up iodine. Sadly, I do not test for these but I have had good results in terms of color and growth so I will just keep doing what I am doing. I did watch all of the Red Sea coral care video and a lot of it makes sense. However, use it but don't abuse it. My motto.

 

[reefinsomnia]

You should try the urine method :thumbsup:

A quick google search didnt seem to find any instructions on this method. Ive actually been debating on doing this to achieve the "perfect colors." How many mL/gallon a day should I start the dose at? Thanks

 

[mpoletti]

Another thing. What do you test for? Like Jeff mentioned (paraphrase), only dose things you can test for.

 

[Saltwaternooby]

Right now I dose food, mostly frozen occasionally pellets. I use a caRx and 15-20% weekly water changes.

tests include
Ca , mg, and ALK.

 

[ttanadi]

Mark, how often do you do water change and how many percent of water volume?
I'm trying to see if the frequency/amount of water change could compensate the need of dosing of the components besides the regular Alk, Ca, Mg.

 

[Parker0824]

I dose brightwell A/B manually on my current 15g sps tank as well as their K, and strontion both 2-3x every 7-10 days and sometimes MB7 or RBF, i as well dose KZ B-Balance, CV, and Xtra.
I do WC with h2ocean salt about 10-15% every 7-10 days as well.

I dose for growth and color purposes for my sps. If I did not keep sps I would do nothing but bi-monthly 10% water changes and occasionally dose part B.

 

[HV1990]

A quick google search didnt seem to find any instructions on this method. Ive actually been debating on doing this to achieve the "perfect colors." How many mL/gallon a day should I start the dose at? Thanks

Well I believe to ensure that you are doing it correctly make sure the urine is made from 100% rodi and then run through a UV sterilizer.

 

[psykobowler]

I started the 300 gallon with frags. I am more focused in growth than color but the color does tell you your corals are happy!

 

[mpoletti]

Mark, how often do you do water change and how many percent of water volume?
I'm trying to see if the frequency/amount of water change could compensate the need of dosing of the components besides the regular Alk, Ca, Mg.

Weekly or at least every other week water changes. Around 15-20% total water volume. Reef Crystals, no other addition to my make up water.

 

[euod]

We do the standard ALK, CA, MAG with dosing pumps but also do Iron, Potassium, Iodine. We only dose what we can test for and only dose the required amount to return the value to normal levels.

Find it makes a large difference in the colors of the sps, dont know why but our system uses alot of Iron. Clams and Macro algae maybe?

Feed the corals with Red Sea Reef Energy A & B as well as BRS Reef Chili

What test kits do you use for Iron, Potassium, and Iodine?

 

[Saltwaternooby]

Pretty sure they use the red Sea kits.

 

[psykobowler]

Plus one. They use the Red Sea kits.

 

[Mrcat]

Pretty sure they use the red Sea kits.

It is the red sea kits, Reef colors pro test kit.