New to dosing, time to start?

[JonoB]

New to me 60g cube, mostly lps but a few sps in there. I have been testing semi-frequently, but before I set this up I had a 20g and water changes seems to keep everything stable. I tested on 2/28, 3/2, and then today 3/5

My readings on 2/28 were:
Alk 10.2
Calcium 454
Mg 1300

3/2
Alk 9.7
Calcium 445
Mg 1300

3/5
Alk 8.8
Calcium 415
Mg - didn't test today yet

Maybe these aren't extreme changes over a week or so, but I want to get everything stable. Should I look into adding kalk to my ATO?

 

[Ebslinger]

Can I ask what salt you're using?

Alk 8.8 and Calc at 415 are pretty good parameters.. at least to me.

 

[Ebslinger]

Oh, are you doing water changes weekly?

 

[JonoB]

Ah yeah, I meant to add that I think they are fine params too, but it's obvious that they are being consumed, too. I'm using reef crystals, and I do weekly water changes.

 

[JonoB]

So maybe just keep testing for a week or two and see if it balances out at those levels?

 

[Ebslinger]

I would do a little more testing... if alk and calc continue to drop below current levels even though you're doing water changes, then I would start dosing.

What do dose? I'm not the person to ask...

Oh, btw, jealous of your parameters.

 

[Brad Miller]

So maybe just keep testing for a week or two and see if it balances out at those levels?

I would do a little more testing... if alk and calc continue to drop below current levels even though you're doing water changes, then I would start dosing.

Good advice

 

[jsker]

My suggestion would to start dosing a small amount a Mg with you water changes. Dose the Mg separate from the mixed salt water to make sure that you get the full effect of the Mg

 

[jtl]

Get them where you want them and consider dosing with Kalk. I have been using limewater at 1 tsp per gallon in my top off water and it is holding my alk and ca where I want them. I also do weekly 10% water changes.

 

[Gorillareefer]

Put your parameters in a dosing calculater and it will tell you how much to dose. I dose 1ml of calcium and alk to keep my tank at 9dkh and 450calciim. But you have to text your alk one day then again after 24hours to know how much gets depleted after 1 day.