Will I need to dose?

So my 45 gallon cube will be SPS dominated with the possibility of a few clams. Do you think I will need to dose anything, and, if so, what do I use and how much of it do I use?

 

after starting to add majority of sps in my 55 I first started doing 2 part because I noticed my levels dipped. Now to be honest with you, since I always had low ph issues, with regular water changes to keep alk/mag/cal values good all I use is a spoon of kalk per gallon of top off water. I was fed up with the daily dosing and this has been my solution. I change out 5 gal once a month with fresh water to refresh the elements. No issues so far and I no longer need to chase ph and worry about having too high of alk. BRS kalk is really a magic potion for my tank.

 

So do you still dose 2 part? And I would imagine you would need a kalk reactor for the kalk? Or can you buy bags of it?

 

So something like this, I'd imagine?

Kalk, Calcium Reactor & Adjustment Magnesium Mix - Aquarium Supplement - Bulk Reef Supply

 

I would wait until your frags begin to noticeably grow, and even then, water changes may do the trick. My 20 gallon has about 30 coral sin it, with half of them being SPS frags that have almost completed encrusted (some beginning to branch) and I never notice my levels dropping. You can get in trouble dosing on a system that does need it and may actually hinder growth instead of helping it.

 

Okay I guess after I get some frags I'll start testing and see. If I do need it, I'll use kalk, since I don't have any room for automatic dosers, and don't have the time to manually dose every day.

Thanks, you guys!

 

Cam, for what it's worth, I does 2 part. Honestly, if you aren't going to use a calcium reactor, this is the way I would go. I have had both and find 2 part with dosing pumps and timers works just as well as a ca reactor and less tinkering with it. (I was always having to tinker with my ca reactor.) I have never dosed kalk so I really can't help you there. BTW, if you separate your doses into single doses (maybe buy several syringes and fill them once per week) you would possibly have the time to dose. I just think it's more stable.

 

no I don't dose anymore. and the kalk I just mix my top off water with it and that's it. no reactors for the kalk. I buy a gallon size from BRS and it lasts a few months for me.