dosing help

whatcaneyedo · #1 08-07-2010, 09:51 PM

Adjusting one level effects the others.
A Simplified Guide to the Relationship Between Calcium, Alkalinity, Magnesium and pH
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-06/rhf/index.php

I personally don't bother testing the water chemisty on my 20gal nano. Small tanks are too prone to rapid change so its not worth the hassle in my opinion. So I stock lightly, do large weekly water changes and just observe.

makana · #2 08-08-2010, 02:30 AM

I appreciate the advice. I had been relying on water changes to keep things in check and everything was fine. But I discovered that IO salt was only giving me a mag level of 1250 and calc of 380. My goal for this tank is a clam and some sps so I was hoping to bring it up to a safer level.

Maybe I should just look at switching salt brands.

makana · #3 08-13-2010, 12:50 AM

Are those of you who use IO salt having to dose daily or are water changes alone enough?

Captainhemo · #4 08-19-2010, 02:30 PM

Go have a read of Chemasters thread (http://canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=26590 on how he accomplishes decent levels with IO salt.

makana · #5 08-20-2010, 01:59 AM

Thanks for the link! I will try it out.

lastlight · #6 08-20-2010, 02:31 AM

I've never really taken the time to read how each param affects the other. I just bring levels up to ideal with my chems and keep guessing with my doses in small increments starting from a very small amount and test at the end of the week. Then I adjust.

Dosing daily should be the most stable method. I currently in my 34g bring mag up to normal in my Reef Crystals (other 2 levels are higher than target) and dose alk and calcium with a syringe in set amounts. Once in the morning (an hour between each) and once in the evening (also an hour inbetween).

I have been slowly increasing levels that I dose every week or two as demand ramps up so usually I'm just a little off with alk and calcium since I'm trying to guess the right dose but that amount changes as demand rises too. I'm very close and some weeks I get the exact targets when I test.

Captainhemo · #7 08-20-2010, 06:17 AM

[quote=lastlight;542747]I've never really taken the time to read how each param affects the other. I just bring levels up to ideal with my chems and keep guessing with my doses in small increments starting from a very small amount and test at the end of the week. Then I adjust.

Dosing daily should be the most stable method. I currently in my 34g bring mag up to normal in my Reef Crystals (other 2 levels are higher than target) and dose alk and calcium with a syringe in set amounts. Once in the morning (an hour between each) and once in the evening (also an hour inbetween).

What does your Reef Crystals salt test at for Mg before bringing up the levels ?