Dosing

I have not dosed anything as of yet in my reef tank. It has been running since Sept of last year. I have the following corals in the tank.
GSP Colony
Frogspawn
Bubble Coral
Xenia
Mushroom
Trumpet
Candy Cane
Zoa Colonies (2)
I have been reading about dosing and how it is required for coral growth. I would like to know has anyone used BRS 2-part system and what you think of it or if dosing is needed for my tank. I have a 55 gal. Do regular water changes of 5 gal a week.

thanks

 

Have you been testing daily to see what your calcium, alkalinity and magnesium levels are? How much is being used up by your corals?

Dosing only comes into play when what your keeping is using up more then what your water changes alone can supply. Otherwise with the corals your now keeping, I see no need for you to dose either.
Also 5g's a week on a 55g tank is not very much. Remember water changes play several roles in maintaining a happy healthy environment. Removing excess nutrients and replenishing trace elements.

Dosing is NOT required for coral growth. I personally kept my first tank for 2 years without dose anything. Very successfully I might add.

It has only been within the last year that I started dosing ESV 2part. My reasons for dosing are, 1. I have a heavy bio-load of LPS and a clam. Both suck up a lot of calcium. 2. I am the laziest water changer I've ever met and 3. To keep my ca/alk/mag well balanced.

 

I have been testing (not every day) usually once a week. I have seen my levels are usually lower in Cal and Alk but usually running about the same on the results. mag has been around 1400-1500,,,,,cal has been anywhere from 320-380 and alk has been from 6-8. I am fine with not dosing just thought with my levels that maybe the corals I have are using more than I have in there.My other params have been good with the water changes I am doing, I know the trace elements cannot be tested but I usually run about 10-20 nitrates and less than .25 on phosphates. I run chemipure elite and carbon filter on the tank as well. for filtration otherwise I run a cannister, and skimmer. So if I need to get levels up then that is what I need to know should I be dosing or should I increase volume of water changes?

 

Those levels are fine and can be corrected with upping the amount of water your changing. What salt are you using and what are you keeping your SG at? Also what test kit are you using? Sorry for all the questions but the answers will help a ton with giving you the correct answers

 

no problem thanks for the advice, This is my first sw tank and I think everything so far has gone great. I just want to make sure there is nothing more I need to be doing.
SG 1.025
Using IO Reef Crystals
and API calcium and alk test kits and salifert Mag. (I want to get all salifert just think they are more acurate but of course more expensive) I am going to have my lfs test water tomorrow to see if calc, and alk are same as what I am getting.
I use a marine buffer after each water change to maintain ph, it is usually at 8.1. I have used a few times kents 2 part calc and alk for a few days to raise but then stop.

I saw the brs system and thought it looks great but are you telling me that those are usually for tanks that have an abundance of sps or alot of other corals?

 

Here is a shot so you can see what it looks like, corraline is growing great! I dont use anything for it.

 

Bumpity BUmp BUmp

 

You numbers are fine for the corals you have. If you do decide to keep SPS or clams then you will need to dose and bump your Ca to the 380 to 450 range and your alk to 7 to 12 dKH.

 

Change your salt!!! Switch to Reef Crystals Higher in calcium and other trace elements. Instant Ocean is a good salt too but mainly used for a, fish only tank where no corals are present.
Your tank looks great and your doing wonderful with it