Should I dose or do something different

I have a total water volume of 130 gallons... I have a mixed reef tank with a lot of coral (sps, lps, softies).. To keep my calciu at 445 and alk at 11 I have to dose 4 oz of BRS 2 part system daily, (4oz of calcium and 4 oz of alk)... I currently hand dose this each day amd was going to work on some automated system (dose pumps, drips or etc) but before wasting time money and effort shoudl I consider other options than the 2 part..

I am not sure if 4 oz of each is a lot or not but if there are other good otions that are more cost friendly I would love to consider them now... I am just not sure what I should consider with advantage/disadvantage of each..

Any help/suggestions are greatly appreciated...

 

Hi Jaymostella

I am not familiar with the BRS additives
are they liquid solutions?

if so, getting powdered ingrediants, that you mix yourself with RODI, is almost always more cost effective

what does adding that 4 oz of each mean in terms of demand?
I mean, how much calcium and alkalinity is it designed to compensate for?

in a tank with relative low to moderate demand, you could consider kalkwasser as your supplement
Kalkwasser provides both calcium and alkalinity and you can vary the ratio of additive to water in order to either create a weak or stronger solution

if you wanted to go the doser route, then getting dry calcium and alkalinity powders, that you mix with RODI, and then dose them via seperate dosing pumps ( or a unit with 2 or more dosing pumps fitted) is another option you can consider

Steve

 

I add about an ounce of BRS calcium and alk solution a day to my 40 gallon.

 

Are you dosing mag at all? I have a heavy load and I only dose 50 ML of 2 part per day on my 170 gal total volume.

 

Ah man,

YOu're making me want to test my params again.

I'm always reluctant when even my sps are growing well.

I do use Mrs Wages Pickling LIme = Kalwasser, and hand dose some almost daily, but haven't checked in over a month.

 

I have done some re-search on this....
From experience, this is what I have to say.

Currently: I dose a "2 part system" (Ionic B).

I dose each of them with a Reefkeeper Lite (around 199.00) and Tom's aqua lifters (20 bucks each)

I also Vodka dose and just OD'ed due to one of the breakers on the Reefkeeper lite plug getting stuck on. Dumped 2/3 a bottle of Kamchatka Vodka into my tank. (see my thread in ASAP.

Because of that, I WISH I had a "specialty" dosing pump IE bubble magus dosing pump system (about 200.00) I feel that would be way easier to program and more precise. I had to time how fast the Tom's pumps would pump and set it accordingly. I bet its going to fluctuate as time goes on as the pumps age or the line clog.

I think the 2 part system is great for beginners. A proper dose should keep Alk, cal, and PH in check, but can be lacking in other trace elements. Some would also dose Mag as well. It just depends on your level and your coral load.

The cheaper method would be to but the powdered Kalk and mix it yourself Build your own Kalkreactor , but ypu have to dose it the same way. All a Kalkreactor does is "stir" the mix up constantly. Research this. I felt the 2 part system was way easier and would get similar or even better results.

Another way is full blown calcium reactor. I have little knowledge or research of this. It cost a lot of money, more than I would want to spend.. I think this is for serious hardcore coral reefers.

 

I'm not sure in terms of recommendations but following others' advice on here sounds good. I just have one comment....whatever you are doing is obviously creating an absolutely stunning tank!

 

Thanks!..

I do dose mag but only every 1 1/2 or so. It isnt used as quickly as the alk and calcium..

Thanks for all the suggestions and comments

 

I wouldn't say there is a wrong way to dose. It can be a bit of personal preference.
There is 3 basic ways
1) Manually add 2 part or Kalkwaser
2) CA reactor
3) Dosing pumps
All do similar thing.
I would say the dosing pump method is the most automated and less fittaly (that's not a word but I like it)

J

 

Yo Jay!!!You can add a little more calcium and Alk. powder then BRS suggests to give them a little more punch.I do this as it makes them last a little longer.