I was going to try to maintain the levels that I posted above (parameters I'll be shooting for). The plan was to test after a water change then test again right before my next water change in order to determine how much I need to dose to maintain those parameters that I'll be shooting for. Is this the correct way to do it?
There are many ways to accomplish this but it takes a lot of time to establish a balance in the tank needed for this to happen properly. Nice refugium, protein skimmer, etc can help lower organics and nutrients in the water and keep it more stable over time. Some people use bio balls or pellets, there are different ways to help, but an established tank (2+ years) will usually have a more balanced parameters as far as nutrients are concerned
Yup, I like those, and ok with MG 1400-1440I was going to try to maintain the levels that I posted above (parameters I'll be shooting for). The plan was to test after a water change then test again right before my next water change in order to determine how much I need to dose to maintain those parameters that I'll be shooting for. Is this the correct way to do it?
The attached picture is what I got from Redsea.
I have a big refugium with multiple macros , they eat nutrients like crazy phosphate is at .05 and nitrate is 10-20 pretty consistently. I also have a skimmer , I’ve turned off for now but it’s usually on. I have to sell macro almost weekly
Wow your tank looks awesome! I think Trace Colors has most of those things, I know it has Iodine. I was thinking about dosing Nopox but I decided to go with an Algae Scrubber so hopefully that starts bring my Nitrates down soon. How is the Jabao working for you? Do you have to re calibrate it often?
I have never calibrated it since starting 4 years ago.
I had to use neonitro for a couple weeks until the bacteria established to convert to nitrate / got Dino’s due to tank move lol may have to use neophos next phosphate creeping down
Great point.
My DP-4 is doing 1-2ml per hour, accurately, for years.
For the trace you measure your daily CA consumption to figure out how much ml of foundation A you use per day, then ÷10 for the ml of abcd trace to dose. IE, if you dose 10ml of foundation A each day, then you will dose 1ml of each trace element per day.
I should clarify, it CAN have accurate 1-2 ml single doses if its frequent enough. The issue is the down time in between the doses where the air pockets accumulate so its a function of the overall "traffic" that pushes thru the tubes. 1 ml per hour, but multiple doses per day is OK bc you are still pushing the liquid frequently enough to prevent big air pockets. Dosing 1 ml per day is a lot different bc the traffic is a lot more stagnant, and going to have a higher chance of air pockets forming.
I said it once I'll say it again:
Are you measuring your levels between water changes and noticing they are falling further than you want? Just wondering what makes you want to dose all of this to start.
IF you are seeing your levels drop of things like Alk, Calcium, and Mag between water changes, then it's a good idea to start dosing those 3 elements. I've found trace dosing is not needed as much in tanks that do frequent water changes.
Have you bought test kits for test your trace elements and determined they are below what you want?
Don't just start dosing because it's been a "certain amount of time". Get the test kits, do the measurements, and let the hard numbers dictate your path. Otherwise you are aiming for a target you cannot even see.
That Alkalinity target of 11.5 is SUPER high. I'd recommend Red Sea blue bucket salt for a more manageable Alk level. Somewhere between 7-9. 12 is very likely overkill and not appropriate for your system given it's age and lack of SPS corals and low nutrients.
Given that you've put so much effort into getting good dosing chemicals, and will be doing a lot of testing and measuring and logging before you buy anything, why would you negate all of that effort by getting "budget" dosing pumps? You can get all the best chemicals and perfect the amount you need to dose per hour but if one of the dosers fails in the "on" position, it doesn't matter. Just a thought. Maybe wait for it to be too much of a pain to dose by hand, chemical by chemical, and get a nice, single headed dosing pump as needed. Something like an Ecotech Marine Versa. There is no need to jump all in at once.
