I don't understand dosing.

morgan175

morgan175

Member
I see where people have set ups where they add alkalinity, magnesium and calcium. How ? What? are you using. I really don't understand . I just add to the sump but this is a constant addition and was wondering what is the best way? I have seen all kinds of units but I need something simple. SIMPLE.
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
Nothing simpler than manual dosing or more frequent, smaller water changes.
Calcium = calcium chloride = pickling salt / calcium based road salt. (dowflake, pedalow)
Alkalinity = baking soda
magnesium = Magnesium chloride = Magflake (another type of salt sold in 50lb bags)
magnesium = Magnesium sulfate = epsom salt
CaCl 300mg to 1g of water = 4oz raises ca by 20ppm in 25g of water
Alk 300mg to 1g of water = 4 oz raises alk by 1dKH in 25g of water
epsom salt = 4lbs in 1g of water = 4 oz raises alk by 100ppm in 25g of water
I believe I have my figures right.
Buy a glass medicine measurer - they usually have Oz measurements on them,... fill, dose, rinse, reuse.
Add calcium in the morning, alkalinity in the evening. Always test the first three days when you start, weekly after that.
Keep on with your water changes... measure your pH, ca and alk in your fresh saltwater and adjust as necessary... that way it's pretty close to your tanks parameters and you don't have to dose that day.
Water parameters should be...
420+ca
8-10dKH
1250ppm-1400ppm mg.
Keep in mind though that it's nearly impossible to reach that "perfect parameter" in fact, I believe there is no such thing. As long as you can keep your alk above 8dKH, your calcium above 420ppm and your Mg about 1350ppm and they don't drop quickly, then you are good to go. Don't go chasing numbers.
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
The purpose of dosing is to keep certain elements always available for use in the water column - and to help stabilize pH. Alkalinity stabilizes pH, calcium keeps calcareous organisms growing (as does alkalinity) and magnesium helps make calcium and alkalinity "available" and "stable" in your aquarium. Keeping numbers above a certain mark (what I said in my previous post) will keep things growing and relatively stable. Lower parameters may become detrimental to corals, fish and inverts. You dose only when water changes are not enough to keep up with the demand for calcium, alkalinity and magnesium. Then, when dosing isn't enough to keep up with the demand between water changes, people often turn to calcium reactors, which not only dose ca, alk and mg, but also trace elements in the water column.
I hope I helped in some way and didn't confuse you more.
 
beaslbob

beaslbob

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by morgan175 http:///t/393412/i-dont-understand-dosing#post_3499706
I see where people have set ups where they add alkalinity, magnesium and calcium. How ? What? are you using. I really don't understand . I just add to the sump but this is a constant addition and was wondering what is the best way? I have seen all kinds of units but I need something simple. SIMPLE.
Well I no expert also.
But for a handy dandy how to google dr holmes-farley improved diy 2 part.
 
srt8

srt8

Member
That explained a lot in a simplified way to a somewhat newcomer like me. Thanks Snakeblitz
 
srt8

srt8

Member
No dosing for me yet,my levels seem to be holding up between water changes,although I only have a few soft corals at the moment,as my collection increases and by consistent testing I hopefully will know when it's time to supplement.Although I do need to get a mag. Test kit.
 
spanko

spanko

Active Member
Great answer.
Your next steps should be......................
Read the first link here
https://www.google.com/search?q=The+%E2%80%9CHow+To%E2%80%9D+Guide+to+Reef+Aquarium+Chemistry+for+Beginners%2CPart+1&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:eek:fficial&client=firefox-a&channel=fflb
Then read the first link here
https://www.google.com/search?q=The+%E2%80%9CHow+To%E2%80%9D+Guide+to+Reef+Aquarium+Chemistry+for+Beginners%2CPart+2%3A&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:eek:fficial&client=firefox-a&channel=fflb#hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=spQ&tbo=d&rls=org.mozilla:en-US%3Aofficial&channel=fflb&sclient=psy-ab&q=The+%E2%80%9CHow+To%E2%80%9D+Guide+to+Reef+Aquarium+Chemistry+for+Beginners+Part+2:&oq=The+%E2%80%9CHow+To%E2%80%9D+Guide+to+Reef+Aquarium+Chemistry+for+Beginners+Part+2:&gs_l=serp.12..0i30.10730.11077.0.13998.2.2.0.0.0.0.119.233.0j2.2.0.les%3B..0.0...1c.1.50qShtR3TXI&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.&fp=42deedefacac0f8&bpcl=39650382&biw=1280&bih=612
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by SRT8 http:///t/393412/i-dont-understand-dosing#post_3503772
No dosing for me yet,my levels seem to be holding up between water changes,although I only have a few soft corals at the moment,as my collection increases and by consistent testing I hopefully will know when it's time to supplement.Although I do need to get a mag. Test kit.
+++1000!
 
sweatervest13

sweatervest13

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by spanko http:///t/393412/i-dont-understand-dosing#post_3503787
Great answer.
Your next steps should be......................
Read the first link here
https://www.google.com/search?q=The+%E2%80%9CHow+To%E2%80%9D+Guide+to+Reef+Aquarium+Chemistry+for+Beginners%2CPart+1&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:eek:fficial&client=firefox-a&channel=fflb
Then read the first link here
https://www.google.com/search?q=The+%E2%80%9CHow+To%E2%80%9D+Guide+to+Reef+Aquarium+Chemistry+for+Beginners%2CPart+2%3A&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:eek:fficial&client=firefox-a&channel=fflb#hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=spQ&tbo=d&rls=org.mozilla:en-US%3Aofficial&channel=fflb&sclient=psy-ab&q=The+%E2%80%9CHow+To%E2%80%9D+Guide+to+Reef+Aquarium+Chemistry+for+Beginners+Part+2:&oq=The+%E2%80%9CHow+To%E2%80%9D+Guide+to+Reef+Aquarium+Chemistry+for+Beginners+Part+2:&gs_l=serp.12..0i30.10730.11077.0.13998.2.2.0.0.0.0.119.233.0j2.2.0.les%3B..0.0...1c.1.50qShtR3TXI&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.&fp=42deedefacac0f8&bpcl=39650382&biw=1280&bih=612
Great links Spanko!!
You are most resourceful.
 
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