Dosing With Calcium, Strontium, Magnesium Etc.

[Janice]

I was told by the "professional" who "helped" me with you tank that if I did not have to dose for my corals with calcium, magnesium,etc weekly then there was something wrong with my tank if I did not have to dose weekly, as it meant the corals were not drawing the nutrients from the water. Is this true?

 

[TORX]

Very far from the truth. Especially in a nano tank. Especially if you are using a salt made for reef tanks and not a FOWLR. Instant Ocean Reef Crystals have higher levels the regular Instant Ocean. Most common Salts out now have higher levels the before to accommodate the needs of reef aquariums.

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[Janice]

Thanks for the quick response. We are using Instant Ocean Reef Crystals. Again, he made me feel that something was wrong, as he asks the last time I had dosed, which had been 3 months prior and only a little.

 

[TORX]

Also, you only dose what you test for. Adding any of those incorrectly will throw your tank out of balance and possibly cause a crash. He should know that and ask what your levels are and from there discuss if dosing is needed. On a side note, what does he think happens if they are not taking enough, should we try the airplane or choo choo train to feed the corals? Your gut was right to not trust their advice.

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[Janice]

That is what I always do-test firsthand only dose if needed, which has only been twice in 7 months.

 

[Joshbrookkate]

So much to learn as we delve into this hobby, isn't there? Keep asking questions, Janice! We learn from others' experiences and questions.
Michelle

 

[SamB]

Torx is bang on and nothing else can be added to his fine comments about dosing
I do very little dosing and have had long term success and stability
With your current issues, dosing will only add to your anxiety. Get your tank stable and research dosing during this time.
Patience ...

 

[Nick James]

In my biocube there is roughly 21g of water. I have about 30 sps frags and I doze 3ml per day of calcium and 3ml per day of alk. That keeps me in the 9-10dkh and 380-400 calcium range. I add 30ml magnesium once a week and do a 10% water change a week.

I have to cut back .5ml alk to keep my alk in the 8-9 range. It went up because I just started using an automated doser and it doesn't do .5ml increments.

Just letting you know for comparison. I could probably get by on water changes alone if I moved it up to 5 day water changes

 

[Canadianeh]

I was told by the "professional" who "helped" me with you tank that if I did not have to dose for my corals with calcium, magnesium,etc weekly then there was something wrong with my tank if I did not have to dose weekly, as it meant the corals were not drawing the nutrients from the water. Is this true?

Is this the same "professional" that is giving you lots of headache? If he is the same one, then you know the answer It is called "upselling"

 

[Jewel]

I agree, you don't have to dose. I like H20. It's very high in nutrients. It's xpensive but I think it's worth it. That being said I have always dosed 3 part. A DIY concontion which does keep the costs down but it's not absolutely necessary.