What can I add to my dosing at this point? Have had stable parameters for 8 months now

[Mason Michalski]

Hey all, so I've been using Tropic Marin's All-For-Reef (Powder mixed into 1,000ml of RODI, dosed at 40ml a day) in combination with my upgraded lighting since December of 2020 with the tank upgrade, and everything has exploded in growth/health (Dragon Soul went from 1 head to 8 in 6 month for example), other than losing a wild caught green goni. I am so happy I finally got my parameters under control, but my problem is that I have an empty dosing reservoir with my DOS/DDR Combo, and feel like I am missing an opportunity to get even better, like coloration or polyp extension even more. I just don't know what to use in that reservoir, as I have dosed aminos before and never noticed a huge difference.

I have added even more acros since this picture, as I definitely caught the SPS bug even more; ASD Rainbow, Pink Floyd, Sexy Corals Orange Passion, Blue Matrix, PC Rainbow, etc. And they all have have good polyp extension, although I seem to not have all too much green/yellow in my otherwise reddish pink PC Rainbow, maybe it's currently growing and encrusting too fast.

Other than upgrading from the Ai Hydra 26HD, to the Ai Hydra 32HD, along with messing with the ATI Bulb Combination (Thinking Blue +, Purple +, and 2 x True Actinic) I don't have much I can think of upgrading other than just buying more frags at this point since I ditched my Monti's due to Nudibranch's from my brother (yikes right?).

So, drop your suggestions on what you think I should add to my dosing reservoir, I think top of my list is getting more green's/yellows/ out of my SPS, or even more polyp extension, or anything that changed the game for you. Thanks!

PH: 8.3
Calcium: 440
Alkalinity: 8.2 DKH
Magnesium: 1365
Phosphate: Kind of hard to read with the Salifert kits, but I am either at .1ppm or lower, I have to bring my Chaeto online since I have been waiting for Tunze Submersible light in my sump.
Nitrate: .2ppm - .5ppm

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hey all, so I've been using Tropic Marin's All-For-Reef (Powder mixed into 1,000ml of RODI, dosed at 40ml a day) in combination with my upgraded lighting since December of 2020 with the tank upgrade, and everything has exploded in growth/health (Dragon Soul went from 1 head to 8 in 6 month for example), other than losing a wild caught green goni. I am so happy I finally got my parameters under control, but my problem is that I have an empty dosing reservoir with my DOS/DDR Combo, and feel like I am missing an opportunity to get even better, like coloration or polyp extension even more. I just don't know what to use in that reservoir, as I have dosed aminos before and never noticed a huge difference.

I have added even more acros since this picture, as I definitely caught the SPS bug even more; ASD Rainbow, Pink Floyd, Sexy Corals Orange Passion, Blue Matrix, PC Rainbow, etc. And they all have have good polyp extension, although I seem to not have all too much green/yellow in my otherwise reddish pink PC Rainbow, maybe it's currently growing and encrusting too fast.

Other than upgrading from the Ai Hydra 26HD, to the Ai Hydra 32HD, along with messing with the ATI Bulb Combination (Thinking Blue +, Purple +, and 2 x True Actinic) I don't have much I can think of upgrading other than just buying more frags at this point since I ditched my Monti's due to Nudibranch's from my brother (yikes right?).

So, drop your suggestions on what you think I should add to my dosing reservoir, I think top of my list is getting more green's/yellows/ out of my SPS, or even more polyp extension, or anything that changed the game for you. Thanks!

PH: 8.3
Calcium: 440
Alkalinity: 8.2 DKH
Magnesium: 1365
Phosphate: Kind of hard to read with the Salifert kits, but I am either at .1ppm or lower, I have to bring my Chaeto online since I have been waiting for Tunze Submersible light in my sump.
Nitrate: .2ppm - .5ppm

If your parameters are truly stable and the tank which looks great is holding, I would change nothing- add nothing

 

[Mason Michalski]

If your parameters are truly stable and the tank which looks great is holding, I would change nothing- add nothing

Thank you! And yeah that is the answer I was expecting from most. Don't change what is not broken lol. Good seeing you around still!

 

[A Young Reefer]

Hey all, so I've been using Tropic Marin's All-For-Reef (Powder mixed into 1,000ml of RODI, dosed at 40ml a day) in combination with my upgraded lighting since December of 2020 with the tank upgrade, and everything has exploded in growth/health (Dragon Soul went from 1 head to 8 in 6 month for example), other than losing a wild caught green goni. I am so happy I finally got my parameters under control, but my problem is that I have an empty dosing reservoir with my DOS/DDR Combo, and feel like I am missing an opportunity to get even better, like coloration or polyp extension even more. I just don't know what to use in that reservoir, as I have dosed aminos before and never noticed a huge difference.

I have added even more acros since this picture, as I definitely caught the SPS bug even more; ASD Rainbow, Pink Floyd, Sexy Corals Orange Passion, Blue Matrix, PC Rainbow, etc. And they all have have good polyp extension, although I seem to not have all too much green/yellow in my otherwise reddish pink PC Rainbow, maybe it's currently growing and encrusting too fast.

Other than upgrading from the Ai Hydra 26HD, to the Ai Hydra 32HD, along with messing with the ATI Bulb Combination (Thinking Blue +, Purple +, and 2 x True Actinic) I don't have much I can think of upgrading other than just buying more frags at this point since I ditched my Monti's due to Nudibranch's from my brother (yikes right?).

So, drop your suggestions on what you think I should add to my dosing reservoir, I think top of my list is getting more green's/yellows/ out of my SPS, or even more polyp extension, or anything that changed the game for you. Thanks!

PH: 8.3
Calcium: 440
Alkalinity: 8.2 DKH
Magnesium: 1365
Phosphate: Kind of hard to read with the Salifert kits, but I am either at .1ppm or lower, I have to bring my Chaeto online since I have been waiting for Tunze Submersible light in my sump.
Nitrate: .2ppm - .5ppm

Nothing , congratulations mission passed .

 

[Mason Michalski]

Nothing , congratulations mission passed .

Me looking at my empty dosing chamber trying to figure out what to use it for lol

 

[Maxcmo]

I just started doing the same but only dosing 20ml in my 105 and things have noticeably improved but my calcium is almost a little to high which I suspect is because I just don't have to many large stony corals but its good to see someone having success doing the same thing. Don't fix something that isn't broken is pretty good advice!

 

[shakacuz]

it it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!

 

[Lavey29]

Looks like a very clean install sump area can you post another pic or 2? Are your dosing reservoirs external to the cabinet bases on that pic?

 

[Mason Michalski]

I just started doing the same but only dosing 20ml in my 105 and things have noticeably improved but my calcium is almost a little to high which I suspect is because I just don't have to many large stony corals but its good to see someone having success doing the same thing. Don't fix something that isn't broken is pretty good advice!

Not a huge problem! I would be worried more if it was your alkalinity reaching upper 10's, although some people run it high, I have always encountered alk burns on my SPS tips when I dealt with dosing issues in the past! Means you have room to add more coral to uptake some of that extra Calcium.

But yeah, I love this stuff, and got my little brother hooked on it too. The powdered version makes it INSANELY affordable compared to my old Tropic Marin 10L DIY Kit. I think it's 10L worth of powder for $68, which at 40ml's a day, I get 250 days of dosing for only 27 cents a day. It's nuts!

 

[Mason Michalski]

it it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!

Tried and true mantra lol

 

[shakacuz]

looking into this reef moonshiners method. guess it’s a more “open” triton method of sorts..

 

[Mason Michalski]

Looks like a very clean install sump area can you post another pic or 2? Are your dosing reservoirs external to the cabinet bases on that pic?

Thank you! I spent so much time on the planning stage! I spent month's designing the sump, having it CNC'ed, and plumbing the tank. Take a look at this if you want to see more.

CUSTOM Sump with Fluorescent Rim, possible commercial production

Thanks. This is similar to how I was thinking of designing my sump for the 200+ FOWLR build I'm working on. I do not plan on running a refugium and my ATO tank is a 25g in a different room, so I would not need those two chambers. Also, does your design allow for an adjustable water height...

www.reef2reef.com

The dosing reservoirs are located on the right of the sump, along with the DOS

 

[Mason Michalski]

@shakacuz Sorry, what is this reef moonshines method you are talking about? Interested in at least reading about it!

 

[shakacuz]

@shakacuz Sorry, what is this reef moonshines method you are talking about? Interested in at least reading about it!

i myself do not know much. but the little i’ve read indicates it’s a version of the triton method. would ask those who have mentioned it in this thread

 

[A Young Reefer]

Me looking at my empty dosing chamber trying to figure out what to use it for lol

you will eventually find a good use for it down the road

 

[N3mo]

Fill some RO water and dose 10ml a day.. Should keep it looking complete.

Me looking at my empty dosing chamber trying to figure out what to use it for lol

 

[Mason Michalski]

Fill some RO water and dose 10ml a day.. Should keep it looking complete.

A nice little pseudo dosing! I dig it

 

[Mason Michalski]

you will eventually find a good use for it down the road

Hopefully! I have tried Aminos and I just don't know if I am low enough nutrient wise to justify the continued use and expense when it doesn't seem to be changing much

 

[Maxcmo]

Not a huge problem! I would be worried more if it was your alkalinity reaching upper 10's, although some people run it high, I have always encountered alk burns on my SPS tips when I dealt with dosing issues in the past! Means you have room to add more coral to uptake some of that extra Calcium.

But yeah, I love this stuff, and got my little brother hooked on it too. The powdered version makes it INSANELY affordable compared to my old Tropic Marin 10L DIY Kit. I think it's 10L worth of powder for $68, which at 40ml's a day, I get 250 days of dosing for only 27 cents a day. It's nuts!

So I tested Alkalinity last night and it was at a 12 and that made me tests Calcium again and it was at 500! I immediately dropped the dose down to 10ml (1/2) and will test again today and tomorrow to see if I need to do anything else but luckily everyone seems very happy in the tank. Definitely using the powder next time the price difference is insane.

 

[Billdogg]

If your parameters are truly stable and the tank which looks great is holding, I would change nothing- add nothing

it it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!

Tried and true mantra lol

^^^What they've already said^^^

I will add this - if you can't test for it, DON"T ADD IT!!!!

I dose nothing other than BRS Calcium and Alkalinity, and very rarely, Magnesium.