Doser for alkalinity

[Oshengems]

August 26
Alk 6.1
Cal 410
Mag 1440

August 27 after water change
Alk 8.6
Cal 430
Mag 1500

August 29
Alk 6.7
Cal 420
Mag 1450

That’s a little idea what I’m dealing with. Any help as which route I should go is appreciated.

Your numbers are looking good I think Kalk will fit perfect for now either on your ATO or separate via a slow dripper, try a very diluted ratio, I started on my 75g mixed reef at 3 tables spoon to 5 gallon of ATO just so you have an idea so I was doing less than half Tspoon per gallon, test Kh every and Ca every 2-3 days until you Find the sweet spot, 2 parts will probably be even easier since very lil is being consumed

 

[vetteguy53081]

Commonly is a 3 part doser unit with 3 containers or bottles to draw additives from. You need to watch the amount being distributed as to not overdose any of the elements.
On your readings, the coral do absorb these elements and why the reason for dosing

 

[jayala12]

I’ve been reading up on b-ionic and it seems pretty cool for nanos like mine. Gonna go that route . Could I just add all I need to each day or should I do half in the morning and half at night

 

[DarthSimon]

What you need to do is find out what your daily consumption rate is, then dos your 2 part accordingly. Test for alk, then look at the numbers 24 hours later. This will tell you your corals consumption rate for the time period. You then start to DOS and Mantain your chosen number so it doesn’t rise or fall within reason. Alk anwyhere from 7-11 is just fine. You just need to pick a number and stay there. In a 29 gallon tank you could start with 3 to 5ML a day of 2 Part ESV and see if that stabilizes your alk.... Calcium will usually follow right along as long as your alk is stable...

I see you had a 2 point swing over a 3 day period. What are you using to test alk?
You may want to invest in a Hanna Alk checker if you don’t already have one...

 

[vetteguy53081]

I’ve been reading up on b-ionic and it seems pretty cool for nanos like mine. Gonna go that route . Could I just add all I need to each day or should I do half in the morning and half at night

What size is your tank?

 

[jayala12]

I’m using salifert tests and I have a 29 gallon biocube

 

[vetteguy53081]

I’m using salifert tests and I have a 29 gallon biocube

Be sure to treat for 20 gallons. Figuring you have rock, etc in tank, your useable gallons are 20, not the full capacity of 29 gallons so you don't overdose.

 

[DarthSimon]

I’m using salifert tests and I have a 29 gallon biocube

Hanna is the best and most accurate for consumer grade testing of Alkilinity short of an Alk Controller...

 

[jayala12]

Does anyone here use b-ionic ? Just follow directions on the bottle or is there a calculator out there ?

 

[DarthSimon]

I recently just switched to a calcium reactor for SPS demand reasons, but previously used an Apex DOS to dos 2 Part Bionic and had good success with that product. Always start with a smaller dos then the suggested... Test Daily then adjust slowly to achieve desired numbers...

I think 2 Part Bio states 2ml per ten gallons? I could be wrong...

Remember everyone’s tank is different. We all have different coral demands. A 29 gallon tank with a few softies and Lps in won’t use nearly as much alk and calcium as a 29 gallon filled with Acroporas and Montis... Certain corals demand more elements... You have to find the balance that’s right for your corals and system...

 

[jayala12]

Yeah I appreciate all the help. Everything in my tank does great except chalice corals. I can’t keep them to save my life !

 

[Rory]

I am using the Jabao 3 head doser and doing the B Ionic 2 part... I have the extra head in case I want to add something down the road. My tank is a 90 gallon (w/ 30 gallon sump) mixed reef... SPS, LPS and Zoas. I don't bother with dosing containers... I drilled a hole in the cap of both the Alk and Ca and inserted a rigid airline to draw from. Works perfect. I have mine set up to dose Alk on the hour and Ca on the half hour pretty much 24 hours a day. Doing it this way, I don't really ever get a spike like if you are just adding it manually 1 or 2 times a day.... just my personal experience with it.