What are you adding to your tank?

[e46er]

I dose Calcium chloride, baked baking soda , and magFlake
All bought in bulk chemical form as its MUCH MUCH cheeper
Cal /alk is dosed via doser mag is done manually usually 4-6 weeks my tank will need 50 -100 ppm

[Mike-fish]

Originally Posted by daniella3d

I guess your zoanthids must be really happy because they react strongly to any sudden change in alkalinity...a very slow drop won't affect them as a suddent increase.

But what about that clam? I guess it does not have much calcium to grow its shell...

all levels are normal ca2+ is a little high alk is steady. i could take water tests if you want

[Myka]

I didn't read everyone's replies, so I don't know if anyone has pointed out yet that SeaChem Reef Calcium (the liquid) is calcium gluconate rather than calcium carbonate. I'm not a fan, and wouldn't recommend that product. If you buy a dry powder it will be much cheaper to dose. Brightwell Aquatics is usually easy to find, and I have been very happy with their products.

I think half those products you're dosing are a waste of money. Purple Up is essentially just a calcium/alkalinity booster (can't remember if it is cal or alk), and I've never found it to actually increase coralline any more than simple keeping proper parameters. Reef Plus and Coral Accel probably do little other than increase nutrient load in your tank. Nutrients make for brown SPS, although LPS and softies like some nutrients.

In my reef tanks I dose calcium, alkalinity, magnesium, and potassium (just in the SPS tank). I have been experimenting with a mild form of "carbon dosing" using Brightwell Aquatics Microbacter7 and BioFuel. The point of carbon dosing is to reduce nutrients, rather than adding nutrients. Fyi, carbon dosing has nothing to do with the black carbon you put in a filter.

[Oilers]

how big is your tank David?.....I would think about getting in to the bulk chemicals if your tank is over say 100g.....this will save you a tonne of money over buying pre-mixed solutions....

My tank is 150G. Can you elaborate more on the bulk chemicals? This is what I have ordered today.
Item: Brightwell Aquatics Reef Code Part A Calcium/Buffer Additive - 2 Litre (Brightwell Aquatics)
Item: Brightwell Aquatics Reef Code Part B Calcium/Buffer Additive - 2 Litre (Brightwell Aquatics)
Item: Kent Marine Coral-Vite Additive - 64 oz.
Item: SeaChem Reef Advantage Magnesium Additive - 2.2 KG 2.2KG
Item: SeaChem Reef Advantage Strontium Additive - 1 KG 1 KG

I think half those products you're dosing are a waste of money. Purple Up is essentially just a calcium/alkalinity booster (can't remember if it is cal or alk), and I've never found it to actually increase coralline any more than simple keeping proper parameters. Reef Plus and Coral Accel probably do little other than increase nutrient load in your tank. Nutrients make for brown SPS, although LPS and softies like some nutrients.

Thanks Myka. I was going to order Reef Plus and Coral Accel again but after reading your comment, I've decided to try something else instead.

[fishytime]

you can buy sodium bicarbonate (DKH), calcium chloride, magnesium chloride and magnesium sulfate in bulk.....just add RO or RO/DI water and save a boatload of cash...... Red Coral in E-town should have the "Coral Grow" line of bulk chems or you can order from places like BRS....