Refugium, elements, and carbon dosing

WillowDemetriou

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I have ordered my tank and was thinking to set up a refugium. I liked the idea of a natural way to reduce nutrients and also a good way to keep a healthy population of things like copepods. I am looking to have a mixed reef, with LPS and softies to start, but would like to also have some SPS too.

I was listening to Lou from Tropic Marin talking about carbon dosing, and his thoughts on why everyone should do it, and how it helps corals better uptake phosphates, for use, through bacteria. Was wondering if this is beneficial and possible while using a refugium as well? What about having a smaller refugium and carbon dosing?

Also, I have read about refugiums uptake nutrients and elements like calcium, magnesium and other trace elements that corals need to grow. How would I know how much is being used by corals vs the refugium? I was going to use something like the red sea 4 part dosing system but they say it's not to be used if you've got a refugium, could I just dose extra using the 4 part or just add extra trace using something like the tropic Marin a and k? What dosing methods do people use? Is something like the red sea 7 part a better option, or using something like all for reef? Do I need to supplement extra trace elements or use something like the bright well cheato gro?
 

Randy Holmes-Farley

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It is possible to do both (I did) and there are reasons to do both, but they will compete for many of the same nutrients and trace elements.

Refugia do not generally take up important amounts of major ions such as calcium or magnesium, but they certainly take up trace elements such as iron, manganese and some others.
 
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WillowDemetriou

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It is possible to do both (I did) and there are reasons to do both, but they will compete for many of the same nutrients and trace elements.

Refugia do not generally take up important amounts of major ions such as calcium or magnesium, but they certainly take up trace elements such as iron, manganese and some others.
What's your thoughts on a dosing protocol while having a refugium?
 

Randy Holmes-Farley

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What's your thoughts on a dosing protocol while having a refugium?

Dosing trace elements? I would at least dose iron and manganese, maybe others. I'm in the process of developing a DIY for that purpose, but it is not done.

Some folks use Chaetogro, but there is uncertainty on iodide in it (some Brightwell bottles and web sites say it does, others do not mention it) and a number of folks think it is driving iodide too high in their system.
 
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WillowDemetriou

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Dosing trace elements? I would at least dose iron and manganese, maybe others. I'm in the process of developing a DIY for that purpose, but it is not done.

Some folks use Chaetogro, but there is uncertainty on iodide in it (some Brightwell bottles and web sites say it does, others do not mention it) and a number of folks think it is driving iodide too high in their system.
Okay, thanks. I'll probably just dose separately and avoid the cheatogro
 

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