Second New DIY Two Part Recipe with Higher pH Boost

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Any idea how is my friend (a fellow hobbyist) being about to keep the tank since 2-3yrs only dosing reef fusion 1 and 2? Without wc. He only checks for cal/alk, fortunately his mag stays at prefered levels, occasionally doses it (seachem mag) keeping a bit higher level for algae control. Doses reefplus occasionally, but less then the recomended dose.

He is getting great result, but due to fast growth, and more sps, its falling a bit expensive for him, so he too is planning to switch to diy. I recommended him not to as of now, since his system is doing great.

Lots of trace elements come in with foods. All of the useful ones do. The question is how much in relation to demand. I think that question can only be answered by trial and error for a given reef tank.

 

[Tmmste]

Since the proportion of Sr incorporated into calcium carbonate will rise as the Sr concentration rises, the exact amount isn't especially critical since demand rises as the concentration rises, partially offsetting the rise. :)

Well there goes my idea measuring Sr haha. I read that indeed in one or your articles now you mention it, funny how this works. What if sulfate would rise a lot.. would corals then also form calciumsulfate.. I'll just stick to the 1:100 ratio. Thank you Randy. If you have any thoughts on the amount of molybdate let me know. This is a difficult one.. i think 0.0001gr molybdate (0.0002gr sodium molybdate dihydrate) per 1 meq/l for alkalinity.. I read nopox also adds a lot of molybdate. must be good for some biological process, I guess.

 

[nanomania]

Lots of trace elements come in with foods. All of the useful ones do. The question is how much in relation to demand. I think that question can only be answered by trial and error for a given reef tank.

Hmm, i guess that might be the reason of my skimmerless system.

 

[nanomania]

Well there goes my idea measuring Sr haha. I read that indeed in one or your articles now you mention it, funny how this works. What if sulfate would rise a lot.. would corals then also form calciumsulfate.. I'll just stick to the 1:100 ratio. Thank you Randy. If you have any thoughts on the amount of molybdate let me know. This is a difficult one.. i think 0.0001gr molybdate (0.0002gr sodium molybdate dihydrate) per 1 meq/l for alkalinity.. I read nopox also adds a lot of molybdate. must be good for some biological process, I guess.

Didnt know nopox had moly. Great.

 

[nanomania]

Here is another dosing system by ATI, that includes all major miner trace, however doesnt provide the concentrations for obvious reasons. ;) :

ATI Essentials is a complete support system that is easily tuned to the needs of your reef aquarium. In addition to calcium, magnesium and carbonates, ATI Essentials includes all of the necessary trace elements to support the biology of a reef tank.

Bottle Sizes

The ATI Essentials Set is comprised of 3 bottles and is available in 2 sizes:

500 mL Concentrate Bottles
Mixes 5 Liters of each ATI Essentials component

1000 mL Concentrate Bottles
Mixes 10 Liters of each ATI Essentials component

Ingredients

ATI Essentials #1 - Carbonate Sources
ATI Essentials # 1 is a dry powder that includes various carbonate sources.

ATI Essentials #2 - Calcium and Trace Elements
ATI Essentials #2 is a liquid concentrate that contains calcium and other essential trace elements. These include mainly (among others): boron, bromine, cobalt, chromium, fluorine, iron, iodine, potassium, lithium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, rubidium, sulphur, strontium, vanadium, and zinc.

ATI Essentials #3 - Magnesium and Trace Elements
ATI Essentials #3 is a liquid concentrate that contains magnesium and other essential trace elements. These include mainly (among others): boron, bromine, cobalt, chromium, fluorine, iron, iodine, potassium, lithium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, rubidium, sulphur, strontium, vanadium, and zinc.

Preparation View Quick Start Guide

Mixing the solutions for dosing is easy although the instructions vary slightly for the different bottle sizes so pay close attention to the instructions before you begin. For each bottle of ATI Essentials, combine 1 part product to 9 parts RO/DI water.

In short, ATI Essentials #1 is mixed with RO/DI water until clear then stored in a food safe container (like HDPE plastic). ATI Essentials #2 and #3 are prepared the same way.

What You`ll Need

Reverse osmosis deionized water (preferably filtered through dual DI canisters)

3 mixing containers

3 storage/dosing containers in 5, 10, or 20 liters (1.5, 2.5, or 5 gallon sizes)

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Well there goes my idea measuring Sr haha. I read that indeed in one or your articles now you mention it, funny how this works. What if sulfate would rise a lot.. would corals then also form calciumsulfate.. I'll just stick to the 1:100 ratio. Thank you Randy. If you have any thoughts on the amount of molybdate let me know. This is a difficult one.. i think 0.0001gr molybdate (0.0002gr sodium molybdate dihydrate) per 1 meq/l for alkalinity.. I read nopox also adds a lot of molybdate. must be good for some biological process, I guess.

I wouldn't be surprised if NOPOX has molybdenum in it, since it claims things besides organics:

"a number of different carbon molecules and other organic-bonded elements"

but they do not say what it is. Where have you seen evidence that molybdenum is in it?

I'm also not sure that likely forms to use exactly fit the description "organic-bonded elements", but they may also not list everything.

 

[nanomania]

I wouldn't be surprised if NOPOX has molybdenum in it, since it claims things besides organics:

"a number of different carbon molecules and other organic-bonded elements"

but they do not say what it is. Where have you seen evidence that molybdenum is in it?

I'm also not sure that likely forms to use exactly fit the description "organic-bonded elements", but they may also not list everything.

Isnt nopox a mixture of lanthanum chloride and vinegar?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Isnt nopox a mixture of lanthanum chloride and vinegar?

I have never seen data on what is in it other than simple organics, but those are acetic acid (vinegar), ethanol (vodka), methanol, and isopropanol. The last two are at lower concentrations, and may be there simply to allow Red Sea to use cheaper denatured alcohol instead of taxed and regulated pure ethanol.

 

[nanomania]

I have never seen data on what is in it other than simple organics, but those are acetic acid (vinegar), ethanol (vodka), methanol, and isopropanol. The last two are at lower concentrations, and may be there simply to allow Red Sea to use cheaper denatured alcohol instead of taxed and regulated pure ethanol.

Personally i tried using lanthanum few years ago, but then my dosing pump failed killing everything, fortunately my fishes survived, and i always keep a spare tank running incase of emergencies.. But results were fantastic.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Personally i tried using lanthanum few years ago, but then my dosing pump failed killing everything, fortunately my fishes survived, and i always keep a spare tank running incase of emergencies.. But results were fantastic.

Lanthanum is certainly effective at reducing phosphate, but it is not without reported issues, especially with tangs. :)

 

[Tmmste]

I wouldn't be surprised if NOPOX has molybdenum in it, since it claims things besides organics:

"a number of different carbon molecules and other organic-bonded elements"

but they do not say what it is. Where have you seen evidence that molybdenum is in it?

I'm also not sure that likely forms to use exactly fit the description "organic-bonded elements", but they may also not list everything.

When I searched the internet about molybdate, I noticed someone on a Dutch forum mentioning high molybdate levels after receiving the Triton test results. I noticed others abroad also report the same thing. I guess this is no coincidence.

 

[blazedmasta]

Wow this stuff is strong. It burned though my plastic holding container. Any suggestions? Should I just get a glass Mason jar?

 

[nanomania]

Wow this stuff is strong. It burned though my plastic holding container. Any suggestions? Should I just get a glass Mason jar?

Long ago, calcium chloride did the same when mixing..lol

 

[blazedmasta]

Long ago, calcium chloride did the same when mixing..lol

Yeah but this was mixed already. Topped off a few days ago come back to a small puddle under the container

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Wow this stuff is strong. It burned though my plastic holding container. Any suggestions? Should I just get a glass Mason jar?

Burned it meaning it got hot and melted it? Add it slowly. Sodium hydroxide gets hot on dissolving. I should have mentioned this.

Most plastics are ok chemically, but polycarbonate is one that is not.

 

[nanomania]

Burned it meaning it got hot and melted it? Add it slowly. Sodium hydroxide gets hot on dissolving. I should have mentioned this.

Most plastics are ok chemically, but polycarbonate is one that is not.

Isnt sodium hydroxide also known as lye? Which can be used to recharge gfo?

 

[blazedmasta]

Burned it meaning it got hot and melted it? Add it slowly. Sodium hydroxide gets hot on dissolving. I should have mentioned this.

Most plastics are ok chemically, but polycarbonate is one that is not.

No it was mixed already. I've been used this for a few weeks now. First time it leaked.

 

[Jorge Linares]

Does this work for the calcium portion: Home Brew Ohio TN-4D0M-FJ5L Calcium Chloride, 1 lb. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BSNU68S/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_L-sYAb1VEHRD5

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Isnt sodium hydroxide also known as lye? Which can be used to recharge gfo?

Yes.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Does this work for the calcium portion: Home Brew Ohio TN-4D0M-FJ5L Calcium Chloride, 1 lb. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BSNU68S/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_L-sYAb1VEHRD5

Yes, although it's not cheaper than BRS. :)