Dosing mystery

Joe187123 · Sep 22, 2025

Hi, all been dosing All for Reef now for well over 6 months. ( still not sure about it) thought I’d got it pretty spot on and haven’t changed the dosing amount for a month probably then tested today as I do every week and the oh has jumped from 9.2 to 10.5 and the mag from 1440 to 1510. Double tested both and that’s what it’s coming out at. Any ideas why? Thanks in advance. Joe

painter1982 · Sep 22, 2025

Retest. Then verify tests with a different brand. Do a water change as everything will be high that’s in afr. Lower it slow if it is actually elevated. Adjust dosing. Then find out why you need less. Ph drop? par the same? Something big die? Not enough or too much nutrients? Probably need all the other water parameters to actually know.

Joe187123 · Sep 22, 2025

Not been doing water changes, lights have been the same for month. And not had anything die. Ph is 8.15 never moves. Just test with a salifert. Trace elements I dose manganese, iodine and just started iron. Other reading
Nitrate 40
Cal 410
Phos 0.08
Ph 8.15

painter1982 · Sep 22, 2025

Joe187123 said:
Not been doing water changes, lights have been the same for month. And not had anything die. Ph is 8.15 never moves. Just test with a salifert. Trace elements I dose manganese, iodine and just started iron. Other reading
Nitrate 40
Cal 410
Phos 0.08
Ph 8.15

Check dosing pump calibration. You could probably limit dosing and let it fall back inline and start dosing once it’s normal.

painter1982 · Sep 22, 2025

AFR should give you everything you need. Why are you adding other stuff? Are you testing low for it?

Joe187123 · Sep 23, 2025

painter1982 said:
AFR should give you everything you need. Why are you adding other stuff? Are you testing low for it?

On my last two icp the manganese, iron, and iodine has been untraceable. Along with about 5 other trace elements. I dose 16ml a day on a 250ltr to keep kh at 9, mag 1450, cal 400. Not sure if the reef zlements are better for the trace elements??