When to start dosing

[Anthrax15]

With my next tank build, I'll be using an auto doser right off the bat. I was curious when I should bring it online though. I don't plan to start stocking the tank heavily with coral but is there a preferred time to start dosing? I will be using coralline algae scrapings from a buddies tank after the tank has cycled.

 

[Twocorns]

My personal rule of thumb has been to start dosing as soon as water changes cant cut it, to replenish missing stuff (alk/cal), but that's just me.

 

[Hydrored]

Agreed, I was on AWC for the first 7 months of the new tank. Now the tank is drinking alk

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

With my next tank build, I'll be using an auto doser right off the bat. I was curious when I should bring it online though. I don't plan to start stocking the tank heavily with coral but is there a preferred time to start dosing? I will be using coralline algae scrapings from a buddies tank after the tank has cycled.

Start dosing when alkalinity drops below your target range.

 

[NDIrish]

Start dosing when alkalinity drops below your target range.

What would a good target be?
My tank is 11 wks old. My PH has been holding at ~8.2 for 10 wks.
My ALK for 5 wks was running ~ 9.3. The last 2 wks it has dropped to 8.7 then 8.6.
Tank has already gone thru it's diatoms stage (lasted 5 days). Last 2 wks it has started it's algae stage.
Also start using carbon, passively?

Thanks.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

What would a good target be?
My tank is 11 wks old. My PH has been holding at ~8.2 for 10 wks.
My ALK for 5 wks was running ~ 9.3. The last 2 wks it has dropped to 8.7 then 8.6.
Tank has already gone thru it's diatoms stage (lasted 5 days). Last 2 wks it has started it's algae stage.
Also start using carbon, passively?

Thanks.

i recommend 7-11 dKH. I wouldn't bother to start dosing yet. Maybe once it drops below 8.

passive carbon is fine to prevent yellowing of the water, but it won't help algae.

 

[NDIrish]

i recommend 7-11 dKH. I wouldn't bother to start dosing yet. Maybe once it drops below 8.

passive carbon is fine to prevent yellowing of the water, but it won't help algae.

Thanks for the reply.
I am trying to learn my parameters.
I don't plan on dosing yet. I want to keep testing to see where my parameters level out (If they do) so I will have a baseline to work with.

If carbon is for removing color, I will omit it for now.

For now I will just add some pods.

Thanks