To Dose or not to dose

[Hess]

My tank has been cycled for about 1.5 months. Currently have a small bit of gsp, 2 clowns, and a cuc. I have a hammer, octospawn and Duncan arriving this week and wanted some recommendations on potential starting a dose to help alkalinity and calcium (more so ALK). I’ve also read some people’s comments that say while may parameters may be on the low side, they should be just fine. Wanting to get some experienced opinions. Been doing a weekly water change (8-10%) but those don’t seem to effect my alkalinity at all.

PH: 8.3
Salinity: 1.025
Phosphate: .06
Nitrate: 10
Mag: 1230
Calcium: 380
Alk: 7.0
Temp: 78-79

I haven’t seen much fluctuation in parameters an all numbers seem to stay pretty stable. I assume that will change when I start adding corals. I have Kalkwasser from BRS but have been reluctant to use it, primarily because my tank is young. I’m also all for getting another product if opinions point me in that direction. Thoughts?

 

[tzabor10]

All for reef is easy to use and has a lot of benefits. Lots of people use it. Dosing can help with so many things. Get a 4 head doser. Then you can supplement other things like phytoplankton.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

The alk calcium and mag seem low, but that might be due to your salt choice, I doubt its due to consumption from your corals at this point. Coral pro for example will push your alk up to 9 or 10.

 

[Hess]

The alk calcium and mag seem low, but that might be due to your salt choice, I doubt it’s due to consumption from your corals at this point. Coral pro for example will push your alk up to 9 or 10.

I’m using Fritz RPM redline, which is the high alk version. Perimeters on the side of the box have alk at 10-12 dKH

 

[apac]

My tank has been cycled for about 1.5 months. Currently have a small bit of gsp, 2 clowns, and a cuc. I have a hammer, octospawn and Duncan arriving this week and wanted some recommendations on potential starting a dose to help alkalinity and calcium (more so ALK). I’ve also read some people’s comments that say while may parameters may be on the low side, they should be just fine. Wanting to get some experienced opinions. Been doing a weekly water change (8-10%) but those don’t seem to effect my alkalinity at all.

PH: 8.3
Salinity: 1.025
Phosphate: .06
Nitrate: 10
Mag: 1230
Calcium: 380
Alk: 7.0
Temp: 78-79

I haven’t seen much fluctuation in parameters an all numbers seem to stay pretty stable. I assume that will change when I start adding corals. I have Kalkwasser from BRS but have been reluctant to use it, primarily because my tank is young. I’m also all for getting another product if opinions point me in that direction. Thoughts?

If you ain’t got much in the tank , there ain’t much that will soak up nutrients that you add. So adding nutrients could just lead to a richness in the water that brings on unwelcome algae’s and growth you may not want. Dosing is needed when nutrients in the water are being sucked up by the mass of living things in it leaving the water lacking in minerals and elements.
If you ain’t got much in the tank, just stick to weekly water changes which will replenish most things needed at the point of progress you are at. I’ve just learned this lesson.