Need to start dosing. Not sure where to start?

greech · 06/12/2010, 05:33 PM

I have a 40 gallon reef with mostly LPS but I recently added my fisrt SPS corals (ORA Scripps and ORA Hawkins). I do a 10-12 gallon WC every week with Brightwell's NeoMarine salt and have always relied on this to replace TE's. I tested my water before my WC for Ca and Alk and it came up to 300/9dkH. These number should reflect the lowest numbers since it was just before my weekly WC. I did my WC today and after a few hours I tested again and came up with 340/9dkH (API kits).

I am thinking its time to start using a 2-part but I have never considered this before and don't know how or where to start. How do you know when to dose and how often should I be testing once I start? Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

ilovesoda · 06/12/2010, 11:27 PM

Have you tested magnesium as well? I would just keep testing and when your levels start to drop beyond your likings then you should dose.

sirjohn · 06/13/2010, 07:23 AM

Your Alk is okay, but your CA is low. As mentioned, I would test and adjust magnesium as necessary before dosing two part or you will find it difficult to maintain ionic balance between Alk and CA.

What I did was increase my CA dose of 2-part to raise my Calcium and dose a Magnesium supplement daily to slowly raise both to the correct levels (over the course of several days). I also dosed Alk supplement normally to maintain those levels.

I've used both ESV B-ionic and BRS Two-Part and like both.

06/12/2010, 05:33 PM	#1
greech Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Tallahassee, FL Posts: 3,133	Need to start dosing. Not sure where to start? I have a 40 gallon reef with mostly LPS but I recently added my fisrt SPS corals (ORA Scripps and ORA Hawkins). I do a 10-12 gallon WC every week with Brightwell's NeoMarine salt and have always relied on this to replace TE's. I tested my water before my WC for Ca and Alk and it came up to 300/9dkH. These number should reflect the lowest numbers since it was just before my weekly WC. I did my WC today and after a few hours I tested again and came up with 340/9dkH (API kits). I am thinking its time to start using a 2-part but I have never considered this before and don't know how or where to start. How do you know when to dose and how often should I be testing once I start? Any tips would be greatly appreciated. __________________ ~Graham Current Tank Info: Tank: 40 breeder; 20H sump w/SWC 120; Sicce 3.0 return; Vortech MP-10; Sundial T5, DIY Actinic LED (3W Cree). Livestock: Pair of Black & Whites; Midas Blenny; Firefish; Yasha/pistol; Black Leopard Wrasse; LPS and SPS

06/13/2010, 07:23 AM	#3
sirjohn Feeding Frenzied Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: miami, fl Posts: 516	Your Alk is okay, but your CA is low. As mentioned, I would test and adjust magnesium as necessary before dosing two part or you will find it difficult to maintain ionic balance between Alk and CA. What I did was increase my CA dose of 2-part to raise my Calcium and dose a Magnesium supplement daily to slowly raise both to the correct levels (over the course of several days). I also dosed Alk supplement normally to maintain those levels. I've used both ESV B-ionic and BRS Two-Part and like both. __________________ "Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same." -- Ronald Reagan Current Tank Info: Elos 160XL (200 gal) -- Mixed Reef

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06/12/2010, 11:27 PM	#2
ilovesoda Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 77	Have you tested magnesium as well? I would just keep testing and when your levels start to drop beyond your likings then you should dose.