Dosing issue need help.

[*GAREEF*]

Thank you I appreciate the input! I don’t think I’m going change the method I’m using I just wanted to get thoughts on what I have and get it dialed in. I am scared to get more coral until I am done getting my number right due to lossing money….. the I will increase my dosing as needed with coral consumption.

Sounds like a good plan.
I look forward to seeing it progress. You have a nice system there with huge potential!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Thank you I appreciate the input! I don’t think I’m going change the method I’m using I just wanted to get thoughts on what I have and get it dialed in. I am scared to get more coral until I am done getting my number right due to lossing money….. the I will increase my dosing as needed with coral consumption.

It’s not changing what you use to follow the intended method by not measuring magnesium but dosing the way that product was designed rather than by mag testing, which can be very inaccurate.

 

[Cstarling]

It’s not changing what you use to follow the intended method by not measuring magnesium but dosing the way that product was designed rather than by mag testing, which can be very inaccurate.

I mean I am not changing to kalkwasser. I’m definitely going to take everybody’s recommendation and worry less about my magnesium and try and dial in my alk and cal.

 

[Cstarling]

Looking at your tank, I would keep up water changes, only test alkalinity, and only dose kalkwasser.

Make sure your nutrients stay in an acceptable range and you’re golden.

I’ve run mixed reefs this way and started several SPS tanks this way.

What are the ways you have run your kalk ? Dripping or dosing or in the ato? I am debating using kalk and just using the 2 part and mag if I need to make large changes. My concerns are dosing to much or to little.

 

[bobnicaragua]

What are the ways you have run your kalk ? Dripping or dosing or in the ato? I am debating using kalk and just using the 2 part and mag if I need to make large changes. My concerns are dosing to much or to little.

Your coral load looks very light to me. You may be good with water changes until you add more coral.

I originally started with my ATO using an air lift pump. Rates of evaporation very a little, but this works.

I’ve been dosing with a versa for years. This is a more stable and reliable method.

Doser method:

Mix saturated kalk at 2 tsp per gallon. Keep a lid on the reservoir.

I would start dosing conservatively, maybe 20 ml nightly for your tank.

Test alkalinity at the same time every 2 or 3 days and see what that does. Make small adjustments.

After you figure out your dose, you won’t need to test as often.

I would keep alk around 8. Most people stay between 6 and 11.

ATO method:

I would stir in a teaspoon per 10 gallons to start with and see what that does.

Kalk is hard on pumps, but it probably won’t be an issue at such a low potency.

If you do use the ATO, limit how much it can dose at a time. You don’t want to empty your kalk reservoir into the tank.

 

[Cstarling]

Your coral load looks very light to me. You may be good with water changes until you add more coral.

I originally started with my ATO using an air lift pump. Rates of evaporation very a little, but this works.

I’ve been dosing with a versa for years. This is a more stable and reliable method.

Doser method:

Mix saturated kalk at 2 tsp per gallon. Keep a lid on the reservoir.

I would start dosing conservatively, maybe 20 ml nightly for your tank.

Test alkalinity at the same time every 2 or 3 days and see what that does. Make small adjustments.

After you figure out your dose, you won’t need to test as often.

I would keep alk around 8. Most people stay between 6 and 11.

ATO method:

I would stir in a teaspoon per 10 gallons to start with and see what that does.

Kalk is hard on pumps, but it probably won’t be an issue at such a low potency.

If you do use the ATO, limit how much it can dose at a time. You don’t want to empty your kalk reservoir into the tank.

Thank you I appreciate the input. I’ve watched a bunch of videos on it all night and I’m thinking that might work better for me since I have a small Coral load. And once my tank starts filling more and more if the kalk doesn’t cut it I can increase the dose of one or the other as needed. I like to see how people with successful reef tanks are doing it. My one concern is changing cold turkey by cutting off my dosing pumps and introducing the kalk .

 

[bobnicaragua]

Thank you I appreciate the input. I’ve watched a bunch of videos on it all night and I’m thinking that might work better for me since I have a small Coral load. And once my tank starts filling more and more if the kalk doesn’t cut it I can increase the dose of one or the other as needed. I like to see how people with successful reef tanks are doing it. My one concern is changing cold turkey by cutting off my dosing pumps and introducing the kalk

Switching from a small dose of 2 part to a small dose of kalk won’t be disruptive at all.

Looking at your bioload, I bet you could keep your alk around 7 or 8 with just water changes. (Depending on your salt)

You’d be surprised how far just kalk will take you. It may be all you ever need on a mixed reef.

You won’t see a PH benefit until you have a much bigger coral load.