New to Dosing Ca, Mg and Alk...and would like some advice

[RPatsula]

I'm about to start dosing my aquarium using the BRS two-part dosing system. I am a little bit confused about how to start dosing. My display tank contains mostly SPS corals and polyps so far, in the end I hope to have a mix environment of both LPS, SPS and polyps. My display tank contains about 165 gallons of water with about 100 pounds of live rock and my sump has about 52 gallons of water so that the combined volume I am going with is 200 gallons. Here are my water parameters; calcium is at 325 ppm, magnesium is at 1000 ppm and the pH is at 8.3. So using the BRS calculator (I will be using the BRS solutions)
calcium 325 raised to 420 equals 1945 mL. Pour into the sump over two days.
magnesium at 1000 raised to 1350 equals 5645 mL. Pour into the sump over three days.
pH at 8.3 raised to 9 equals 100 mL
is there a particular time or order that I put the three different solutions in at?
Once I get my water parameters at the desired level and I start dosing using my dosing pumps that will be connected to my apex, is there a desired time to dose the three different solutions? I was thinking of dosing at 0.2 mL per gallon per day or 40 mL of both Ca and Alk. Am I missing anything? Also since this is my first time adding calcium, alkalinity and magnesium… Am I doing it right.
Thanks for any advice.
Rick

[michika]

Go here, to the BRS website's dosing instructions for 2-part. This should help regarding the order of dosing, and what to expect as a result.

This is a quick excerpt from the website;

Test calcium, alkalinity and magnesium levels and adjust to correct points, as needed. Levels must be at the right points before beginning daily dosing. Use the BRS Reef Calculator during this step.

*Spread the recommended adjusting doses out over a few days to avoid shocking the system. Be sure to dose each solution separately and slowly to high flow areas of the tank. This is especially important when dosing the Alkalinity portion of Recipe 1 as a temporary increase in pH will occur.*

When dosing Alkalinity white flakes or a cloud may appear. This is normal and happens because the solution is highly concentrated. It will dissipate as the solution spreads throughout the tank. Just be sure to add the dose slowly to a high flow area.

Determine the daily dose by starting with the table below. Calcium and Alkalinity will be dosed daily in equal amounts.

Add doses of Calcium and Alkalinity separately and slowly to high flow areas of the tank.

After a few days of dosing retest Calcium and Alkalinity levels. If levels are not on target adjust the dose up or down. It may take some trial and error to get this part dialed in.

Once the dose is dialed in continue daily dosing until the gallon jugs of Calcium and Alkalinity are finished. At this point it is time to dose 20oz of the Magnesium solution. This can be done entirely in one dose just remember to add slowly to a high flow area of the tank.

It is OK to dose the Magnesium portion in multiple doses instead of one dose at the end. If you opt to do this, just keep to the following ratio: 20oz of Magnesium solution for every 1 gallon of Calcium and Alkalinity. (20oz Magnesium:1 gallon Calcium:1 gallon Alkalinity)

[e46er]

PH @9 is wayyyyyy to high 7.8-8.3 is an acceptable range

When u start dosing measure constantly over the first week
Or 2 to make suttle adjustments

Dose cal and alk at different times so you don't get precipitation

[Seriak]

Originally Posted by e46er

PH @9 is wayyyyyy to high 7.8-8.3 is an acceptable range

When u start dosing measure constantly over the first week
Or 2 to make suttle adjustments

Dose cal and alk at different times so you don't get precipitation

I think he meant Alk

[daplatapus]

For what its worth, in my experience I wouldn't try dosing any Ca or dkh until my Mg was closer to 1400-1450. Your Mg levels is what's going to determine how much of your Ca and dkh will stay in solution. In my tank if my Mg is below 1300 or so my Ca or dkh won't budge no matter how much I dose. Again, that's been my experience.

[greyreef]

You having any calcium deposition on equipment? Any precipitation of calcium?
That Magnesium seems awful low, and with your sps and use of ca, agree you need to first increase mg, otherwise other parameters wont go up
Read advanced aquarist article on reef parameters farley holmes
Here is link
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-06/rhf/index.php
Good luck!

[greyreef]

Mind you, if your tank looks great, dont panic too much
Go slow, be observant!

[daplatapus]

Originally Posted by greyreef

Mind you, if your tank looks great, dont panic too much
Go slow, be observant!

Agreed. If everything is alive, growing and looking good, all these numbers are just tweaking your tank, optimizing it.
And I love the BRS calculator for how much to dose for these parameters. Keep a close eye on what the recommended rise is for each parameter and raise levels slowly.

[greyreef]

Didnt see your salinity either
Lower salinity will definitly reduce mg
Thats an easy one to fix

[lastlight]

Agreed on getting magnesium to 1350 - 1400 before you bother adding the other two. They likely won't balance properly if magnesium is that low.

And I think it's on the BRS site but I'm pretty sure it's recommended to not raise alk more than 1 dkH a day and calcium 10ppm?

If my levels are low i follow those guidelines.