Dosing

How do you dose? I have yet to jump on a CaRx or a Kalk Stirrer and will continue to do so... I just want to see what others are dosing? I am using ESV 2 part soltion and adding my calcium in the morning (before work), and adding my Alk at night (lights off)... Umm, I was looking to implement a slow drip system so I can slowly drip the two throughout the day...

So, what are you using? (product)

How are you dosing?
dumping it all?
Slowly dripping? If so at the same time, or separately......

Let the discussion(s) begin

 

Right now all i am dosing is Kent calcium supplement. I just squirt some into the tank, about a half teaspoon, once every other day

 

I need to address this further soon myself, but at the moment I am just using a gallon jug and mixing in "Mrs. Wages" pickling lime (same as kalkwasser.. only A LOT cheaper), and pouring some into the sump a few times a week to keep calcium and alk levels in order.

I am curious how people maintain their levels of Magnesium as I should jump on that before its depleted too badly. Also, any recommendations on a good Mg test kit?

 

I use a Kent Marine Aqua Drip Doser with Kent Marine's Kalkwasser mix at night when the lights turn off. Luna

 

I use Epsom Salt for supplementing the Magnesium. I keep it right around 1400ppm. It think it's function is it keeps the calcium and carbonates from precipitating out of the water at elevated levels.

My calcium keep at about 440ppm.
Alkalinity/Carbonate Hardness I try to keep at 12 or 13 DKH.

You will notice over time, by raising your Calcium by just 20ppm, your Alk will drop by 1 dkH. So if I test my Alk and it's 12, and then I test my calcium and it's at 420ppm, and I add a couple tablespoons of Ca to get it up to 440pmm, then my dkH will have dropped to 11. Always wait a little while for the pumps to turn the tank over a few times between dosing and testing your water.

 

Me too ! (Or rather, I used to. Since I just restarted my tank (using sand now instead of crushed gravel), I don't need the Kalk drip yet. But I will once I get the tank fully re-established).

I wouldn't recommend "dumping" it into your sump, as this can cause a serious pH spike. I feel the drip method is best. The Kent Marine Aqua Doser is less then $25, and includes everything you need (minus the Kalkwasser and a shelf to sit it on so it's higher than your tank/sump).

 

Never knew about the Kent doser. I always thought you only had 2 options, a DIY method, or the dosing pumps that run the same amount as CaRx. I must look into those units...

As far as test kits are concerned.... ELOS. Pricey, but accurate. Or Salifert. I just started using ELOS not too long ago.

 

I just started testing mag. with Elos test kit. it works well.

 

Thanks for the info guys. I do know that the "dumping" method is not the best, so I add it sparingly until its hooked into my top off, which will be soon.

So if I have this straight.. raising calcium lowers Alk, but maintaining Mg will help keep both of those levels stable.

Does Alk buffer itself? Or do I need to find an additive for that too at some point? If so, is there a cheap version of it like with limewater and epsom salt?

 

alk can be raised with baking soda, im not sure how the dosing works though. i use both liquid supplements and a thing called aragamight, both work equally well in my opinion but the aragamight is much easier