Dosing using C-balance

[atrain5851]

I am using a two part product called c- balance in my 14gal biocube... i have recently had a problem whit phosphates that i remedied with a phosphate sponge and a water change... I have also had a problem with alkalinity and my question is how often should i dose with the c-balance in the opinion of more experienced aquarists or users of this product?
p.s. the phosphate sponge was by kalkwasser and does the job.
thanks for your input

 

[paintballer768]

What does C-balance do? Just test for it and keep it within acceptable ranges. I dont dose for anything and have no problem keeping anything in my tank for almost a year now.
If youre going to dose though, I would definitely recommend testing for it.

 

[atrain5851]

C-balance is one part calcium and other trace elements and the other i believe is a alkalinity component..what do you run on your tank that you dont supplement.

 

[paintballer768]

I have a 24 gallon aquapod with the oceanic biocube skimmer and a 150 watt metal halide over it. Stock pumps, the blue floss sponge, and bioballs. My trick is weekly/biweekly water changes.
Do you test for calcium and alk? Thats all you honestly need to monitor.

 

[atrain5851]

I didnt test until recently when i noticed things just werent looking ryt in the tank... nothing really was dying just not looking as healthy as it did before. Thanks for your help... i think i will try more water changes, i usually do it every month.

 

[paintballer768]

Originally Posted by atrain5851
http:///forum/post/2765220
I didnt test until recently when i noticed things just werent looking ryt in the tank... nothing really was dying just not looking as healthy as it did before. Thanks for your help... i think i will try more water changes, i usually do it every month.
Yea monthly usually is fine, but theres a chance for the water to get a little funky and things wont like it. Id aim for every 2 weeks. Itll keep the calcium and alk where they need to be naturally, not to mention the nitrates and phosphates in check.

 

[atrain5851]

how often do you feed? i fed every day and then every other day and now every three to help control the phosphates.

 

[paintballer768]

Originally Posted by atrain5851
http:///forum/post/2765255
how often do you feed? i fed every day and then every other day and now every three to help control the phosphates.
I feed daily. I have a sixline wrasse which is about 3", a bangaii that is about 2", and a blue chromis that is about 1". I feed them cyclopeeze (for the chromis) and mysis for the rest. Usually only feed in the mornings, but I feed at night too if I remember.
Tuesdays/Thursdays I have classes until later in the day so they only get fed once that day, but the Mon/Wed/Fri I get out before noon so it makes up for it.
Just add the food slowly. Once you see they stop eating, then you didnt just waste half a cube more. If you have a reading of phosphates, I used to use SeaChem's PhosGuard (back when I used CVS distilled water to top off, and it had phosphates in it).