13 replies to this topic

[Redfish]

I am starting to really make an effort to maintain Alk. and Cal. levels in the tank. I do not have a reactor, at this point I am dosing manually with Bulk Reef Supplies 2 part additives. I do have a Bubble Magus Dosing pump but its not online on my system yet, its ready to go, but I haven't started using it till I figure out just what the tank is using. My question: Should I start checking and dosing the water I make for water changes before I make the water change or do the water change then test the display tank water and dose according to the new numbers. I am thinking, test and dose the new water, that way the corals in the display tank don't have to go thru the ups and downs in Cal. and Alk. levels. Makes since to me but I am wrong most of the time when stuff makes since to me when it comes to this hobby.

[Saldarya]

You are making it harder than it needs to be.  GO about your water change schedule as normal.  Ideally, it would be convenient if the salt you are using is prety close to the parameters you are shooting for in the tank, that will render the water changes a non factor.

Once you figure that out, test your alk at the same time everyday, for a few days.  This will tell you what your daily alk consumption is.  Based off of that, you can use the Alk calculator on BRS to see how much you need to dose to maintain.  Once you have that number, set your dosing pump to that amount daily.

Once all that is done, get your calcium where you want it, and then dose calcium at the same rate as Alk.

Hope that helps.

Bobby

[thatgrimguy]

Mr. Bobby has it dead on. This is by far the easiest way to do it.

[Redfish]

Thanks for the advice will make it happen. I tested the water in the display tank when I got home from work this afternoon, bout what I expected Cal. at 450 Alk. at 8.9 I added 30ml of Akl. to the tank and will test again tomorrow. After that was done and since I had the test kits out, I couldn't resist, I had to check the Alk. and Calcium levels in the new saltwater for the water change. Before I get to the numbers I got I have to admit something here, much as I don't want to, but it is what it is. When I set up the new tank, since it was only going to be cycling, I went to Pet Smart and got 3 5g containers of their Top Fin salt. It was on sale and I also got another 15% off that price. I am down to about 2 1/2g of that salt left. Back to the numbers I got, Calcium 500 Alk. you aren't going to believe this, at least I didn't ( I am testing with a Salifert test kit) The test calls for adding 1ml of the KH reagent into the Syringe and add it drop by drop until the water changes from blue to a reddish pink color, the color never did change, the way I have it figured, my Alk. in the new saltwater is a least 15.7. So what do I do now? The test has to be right, I just did a test in the display tank and got the 8.9 number.

[Will_D]

I'd retest, that seems way off.

[Redfish]

I did the retest, results, same. I even added 4 ml more of the reagent to the syringe to see how much it would take to turn the water in the tube to the pink color, it took 3.5 ml more of the reagent. I am fixing to throw this water out

Edited by Redfish, 18 August 2012 - 06:35 PM.

[RedStickReefer]

If your salifert kit is over a year old I'd toss it out too for safe measure.

[Jarhead]

Mr. Bobby/Mr. Grim (SHI-FU),

Got one question, how often should I change water?

Situation, equipments and lived stocks: 75 gallons, 125 pounds live rocks, 100 pounds live sands, 10 fishes, 2 small frags (testing) plus crabs and snails. Inside sump, sock skimmer, gfo and carbon reactor, refugium (sands, rocks and chateos).

I start dosing picking lime every night. How often should I change water, so I don't have to dose magenium? I'm using Red Sea Salt from Bulk Reef Supply. I'm trying setup a rountine like you guys suggest to grom frags?

Thank you for your time. Tai

[The Bro]

Jarhead, on 24 September 2012 - 02:25 PM, said:

Mr. Bobby/Mr. Grim (SHI-FU),

Got one question, how often should I change water?

Situation, equipments and lived stocks: 75 gallons, 125 pounds live rocks, 100 pounds live sands, 10 fishes, 2 small frags (testing) plus crabs and snails. Inside sump, sock skimmer, gfo and carbon reactor, refugium (sands, rocks and chateos).

I start dosing picking lime every night. How often should I change water, so I don't have to dose magenium? I'm using Red Sea Salt from Bulk Reef Supply. I'm trying setup a rountine like you guys suggest to grom frags?

Thank you for your time. Tai

Magnesium depletion rate is very slow. Depending on your tank either Calcium or Alk depleting the fastest. I do a 10% water change every 7 days. After about an hour or 2 after the water change I test and adjust Cal. Alk and Mag. Honestly I only have to dose Mag once a month. From your above post  I see you stated you have only 2 frags so your Cal and Mag. consumption should be very minimal. I don't believe dosing limewater is needed at this time. You should be fine with weekly water changes and dosing Mag, Alk and Cal. as it is depleted

[Jarhead]

Thank you for your time. Only reason dosing is trying get my rocks purple. Take care. Tai

[The Bro]

As all things in this hobby don't rush. Trust me keep up with your water changes and keep parameters in range you will have coralline alage growth before you know it. Good Luck!

[Jarhead]

Thank you again. Tai

[RedStickReefer]

Sorry if I misread this, but with 2 small frags in a 75g tank I don't think you should be dosing anything.  Water changes should be enough.  I've never dosed pickling lime or kalk, but I only started dosing 2 part when my tank was stocked with corals to the point the Ca/Alk levels were not keeping up with water changes.  My advice would be to stop dosing, do a good water change and just test, test and test until you start seeing a significant drop in params.  HTH's

[Shadow1]

RedStickReefer, on 24 September 2012 - 06:02 PM, said:

Sorry if I misread this, but with 2 small frags in a 75g tank I don't think you should be dosing anything.  Water changes should be enough.  I've never dosed pickling lime or kalk, but I only started dosing 2 part when my tank was stocked with corals to the point the Ca/Alk levels were not keeping up with water changes.  My advice would be to stop dosing, do a good water change and just test, test and test until you start seeing a significant drop in params.  HTH's

X2