Dosing Need for Softie Tank?

[Lynnmw1208]

wow looks like your thread was hijacked! lol

anyway, people on here have told me that you don't have to dose unless you start seeing calcium and alkalinity drop significantly below where you want to keep them. If weekly water changes are replenishing that, then you should be fine until you start adding more and more coral. Also there are many different options to dose with so you might want to look into that. my choice would be kalkwasser since it is easy to work with and I have an ATO anyway.

[deneed4spd]

I decided to cancel my BRS auto dosers since that plus a 2 part came to $200 bucks and as of right now, I only own 3 zoas! LOL. Price was really good due to their sale so I jumped but then realized I probably dont need it for a long time. Ill try dosing manually and at a point when it becomes a chore rather than when i do water changes, then Ill probably pick up some auto dosers.

[dzhuo]

Originally Posted by OregonReefer

Yes those things that effect Alk can be consumed (affecting your Alk reading) but you can't consume Alk.

I don't think I have a problem with the terminology or definition of alk and it's functioning aspect of it. But to use a statement like that when virtually everyone reference, discuss and how we measure and understood alk is confusing. I would avoid using the phrase that alk can't be consumed.

Calcium and alkalinity

The relationship between calcium and alkalinity is one of the most discussed chemical phenomena in reef tanks. It is also one that is frequently misunderstood. Both calcium and alkalinity (to be defined below) are required by a host of organisms that form calcium carbonate skeletons and shells. In a closed system like a reef tank, they can quickly become depleted. Consequently, it is imperative that aquarists ensure that appropriate levels are maintained.

Aquarists have developed many different ways of supplementing calcium and alkalinity in reef tanks. None of these are perfect, and all can lead to problems if not used properly. This article will explain the relationship between calcium and alkalinity in reef tanks as a backdrop to such supplementation. With a greater appreciation for this relationship, I hope that problems involving calcium and alkalinity issues can be reduced.

To set the stage for discussions to follow, the list below shows the manner in which calcium and alkalinity are intertwined in reef tanks:

1. Natural seawater has specific amounts of calcium and alkalinity that organisms have evolved to use.
   
2. Corals and other calcifying organisms take a specific ratio of calcium and alkalinity from the water to form calcium carbonate.
   
3. Some supplements (CaCO3/CO2 reactors; limewater; balanced two-part additives) add calcium and alkalinity to the water in a specified ratio.
   
4. Calcium and carbonate (a component of alkalinity) can precipitate from the water column if the product of the concentration of each of them rises too high.

[dzhuo]

Originally Posted by deneed4spd

Ill try dosing manually and at a point when it becomes a chore rather than when i do water changes, then Ill probably pick up some auto dosers.

Sorry for the side track but hopefully you do find the discussion useful to an extend. This sounds like a fine plan and you don't really need to dose it manually daily; you only need to do this if alk is being consumed to be a concern (such would create a large enough swing which could stress the corals).

[ziyaadb]

wow talk about a detour and her i thought i could get some basic simple info saying yes dose or no dont hehehhe

[deneed4spd]

Lol I think I got my answer but was very surprised how many people responded until I read it and saw it got hijacked!