2-3 part dosing.... whats everyone using?

[Chris]

I've been thinking about doing some dosing pretty soon as I'm getting more and more into SPS and was just looking to see what everyones using and how well they like it

[CalmSeasQuest]

I've been using BRS 2-part with BRS peristaltic dosing pumps with success, but my high demand requires such large amounts (~120ml/day of each), I've been dealing with salinity creep. I manually dose MAG monthly based on water testing. Just this morning I bit the bullet and went GEO

• GEO 612 w/TE Course Media
• AquariumPlants digital CO2 regulator
• another PM1 w/pH probe for the Apex
• Aqualifter to feed the reactor.

I hated the expense on a system with a total of only about 70 gallons, but hopefully it will provide many years of service on future, larger systems.

[Chris]

Originally Posted by CalmSeasQuest

I've been using BRS 2-part with BRS peristaltic dosing pumps with success, but my high demand requires such large amounts (~120ml/day of each), I've been dealing with salinity creep. I manually dose MAG monthly based on water testing. Just this morning I bit the bullet and went GEO

• GEO 612 w/TE Course Media
• AquariumPlants digital CO2 regulator
• another PM1 w/pH probe for the Apex
• Aqualifter to feed the reactor.

I hated the expense on a system with a total of only about 70 gallons, but hopefully it will provide many years of service on future, larger systems.

So you were buying the BRS 2 part and following those directions (assuming u still somewhat have to mix it yourself correct? Now your going to a reactor right.... if u dont mind roughly whats the cost of a system like that (I already have a AC jr w/ PH probe)?

I understand every system is different and demand will be different but do u expect weekly/monthly or however u bought the medias do you think that cost will lower on average (assuming similar consumption of course) with the new system? I would definitely consider looking into doing this rather then manual dosing as well, atleast in the future especially if it was cost effective. Sorry for all the questions, this is a whole new world to my tap water rarely even water changing self (which im working on changing lol). Thanks for the help

BTW, my system includes a 180g, 30g cube both sharing a 100g rubbermaid sump.... total actual water in the system I would estimate to be around 220-250g give or take after displacement.

[Manoj's Reef]

I use BRS . About 120-130 ml per day ALK and Calcium. Magnesium I am using tech M . Every 3- 4 week sI just put some in .

[CalmSeasQuest]

Originally Posted by chort55

So you were buying the BRS 2 part and following those directions (assuming u still somewhat have to mix it yourself correct? Now your going to a reactor right.... if u dont mind roughly whats the cost of a system like that (I already have a AC jr w/ PH probe)?

I understand every system is different and demand will be different but do u expect weekly/monthly or however u bought the medias do you think that cost will lower on average (assuming similar consumption of course) with the new system? I would definitely consider looking into doing this rather then manual dosing as well, atleast in the future especially if it was cost effective. Sorry for all the questions, this is a whole new world to my tap water rarely even water changing self (which im working on changing lol). Thanks for the help

BTW, my system includes a 180g, 30g cube both sharing a 100g rubbermaid sump.... total actual water in the system I would estimate to be around 220-250g give or take after displacement.

2-part or 3-part (+MAG), also called the "balling method" works very well. It's generally a preferred method on smaller volume systems. It has worked well for me over many years. The reasons I made the jump to a CA Rx were,

• Salinity creep due to large dosing amounts in a small water volume system
• Anticipation of a larger build which makes operating a Ca Rx much more economical over time than a dosing regime.

With a larger system, although more expensive initially, a CA Rx can operate at lower costs than most any other CA/ALK supplementation scheme. Back in 2003 Randy Holmes-Farly wrote a great article comparing the various CA/ALK supplementation methods and their associated costs. I'd strongly recommend reviewing prior to making a decision.

As for the costs, the equipment I chose was expensive, but I view it as a one-time investment - and as I travel a lot, I wanted the most reliable solution possible. I also went with a digital regulator as finite control is critical in such a small tank. There are many less expensive options, including a lot of used equipment. That said, based on my research and needs - here's what I purchased,

GEO 612
Electronic CO2 Regulator
Tropic Eden Course Ca Rx Media
APEX PM1 (You need a 2nd pH probe to monitor effluent pH.)
Lab Grade pH Probe
AquaLifter

I'll continue dosing Kalk in my ATO to help support pH and for the rumored additional benefit of precipitating out phosphates.

This is my first Ca Rx install so I'll also be "learning as I go"

[MizTanks]

I'm into my 2nd week of the ESV 2 part. I'm seeing great results in consistent readings of my CAL/ALK=420 and 7 I also bought the MAG but won't start that until I can get a test kit for it. I dose 7.5ml daily for 28g total volume.

[CalmSeasQuest]

Originally Posted by MizTanks

I'm into my 2nd week of the ESV 2 part. I'm seeing great results in consistent readings of my CAL/ALK=420 and 7 I also bought the MAG but won't start that until I can get a test kit for it. I dose 7.5ml daily for 28g total volume.

WTG Miz - Here are a couple of handy reference charts that can help you determine target CA/ALK levels based on your pH. My pH averages ~8.3, so I target 9.8 dKh with CA @ ~430. Those doing bacteria/carbon dosing maintain lower ALK values.

VALUE IN CHART IS COMPARED TO A VALUE OF 1 FOR nsw AT SEALEVEL, OR x:1
Total Alkalinity (AT)
(mEq/l) . . . 2.0 .. 2.5 .. 2.6 .. 3.0 .. 3.5 .. 4.0 .. 4.5 .. 5.0 ... 5.5 ... 6.0
(dKH) . . . . 5.6 .. 7.0 .. 7.3 .. 8.4 .. 9.8 . 11.2 . 12.4 . 14.0 . 15.4 . 16.8
pH __________________________________________________ _________
7.7---------3.0 .. 3.7 .. 3.9 .. 4.5 .. 5.3 .. 6.0 .. 6.8 ... 7.5 ... 8.3 ... 9.1
7.8---------2.3 .. 2.9 .. 3.0 .. 3.5 .. 4.1 .. 4.7 .. 5.3 ... 5.8 ... 6.4 ... 7.O
7.9---------1.8 .. 2.2 .. 2.3 .. 2.7 .. 3.1 .. 3.6 .. 4.0 ... 4.5 ... 5.0 ... 5.4
8.0---------1.3 .. 1.7 .. 1.8 .. 2.0 .. 2.4 .. 2.7 .. 3.1 ... 3.4 ... 3.8 ... 4.1
8.1---------1.0 .. 1.3 .. 1.3 .. 1.6 .. 1.8 .. 2.1 .. 2.3 ... 2.6 ... 2.9 ... 3.1
8.2---------0.8 .. 1.0 .. 1.0 .. 1.2 .. 1.4 .. 1.7 .. 1.8 ... 2.0 ... 2.2 ... 2.4
8.3---------0.6 .. 0.7 .. 0.7 .. 0.7 .. 1.0 .. 1.2 .. 1.3 ... 1.5 ... 1.6 ... 1.8
8.4---------0.4 .. 0.5 .. 0.5 .. O.6 .. 0.7 .. 0.9 .. 1.0 ... 1.1 ... 1.2 ... 1.3
8.5---------0.3 .. O.4 .. 0.4 .. 0.5 .. 0.5 .. 0.6 .. 0.7 ... 0.8 ... 0.9 ... 0.9
8.6---------0.2 .. 0.3 .. 0.3 .. 0.3 .. 0.4 .. 0.4 .. 0.5 ... 0.6 ... 0.6 ... 0.7

Alk meq/L Alk dKH Calcium ppm
0------------0-----------360
0.5----------1.4---------370
1------------2.8---------380
1.5----------4.2---------390
2------------5.6---------400
2.5----------7---------410
3------------8.4---------420
3.5----------9.8---------430
4------------11.2---------440
4.5----------12.6---------450
5------------14---------460
5.5----------15.4---------470
6------------16.8---------480
6.5----------18.2---------490
7------------19.6---------500

Keep in mind the top chart is a comparative based on Natural Sea Water (NSW) to which we often vary in marine aquaria. As with all this "stuff", there are many differing ways to achieve success and with all of them - you're mileage may vary

[tankdude]

I dose with BRS two part and I use two of their dosing pumps on timers, I have had great results with this method. I would love to try a calcium reactor, but they are very expensive.

[MizTanks]

Originally Posted by CalmSeasQuest

WTG Miz - Here are a couple of handy reference charts that can help you determine target CA/ALK levels based on your pH. My pH averages ~8.3, so I target 9.8 dKh with CA @ ~430. Those doing bacteria/carbon dosing maintain lower ALK values.



Keep in mind the top chart is a comparative based on Natural Sea Water (NSW) to which we often vary in marine aquaria. As with all this "stuff", there are many differing ways to achieve success and with all of them - you're mileage may vary

Ummm me and charts don't really get along What should I be shooting for with my readings?

[CalmSeasQuest]

I'll try Miz, but please remember, my opinions and interpretations are just that. I have no degree or formal education in any of these areas.

The first chart give you a comparative to NSW at a given pH (locate your 7 dKh across the top and follow the column down to the 1.0 value (NSW) note that the expected pH is 8.2 The second chart shows the ionic balance of CA and ALK. You stated above that your ALK is 7 and Ca ~420. Thats just about what what is to be expected (7 dKH ~ 410 CA.)

CA and ALK are used by corals at about the same rates. This is why both calcium reactors and Kalkwasser are considered "balanced" as they contribute equal amounts of both CA and ALK. Variances come from unbalanced additions of one or the other (varying 2-part dosing or using salt mixes with higher levels of ALK or CA.)

There are reasons why you might want one value to be elevated or depressed. Aquarists practicing carbon dosing typically maintain lower ALK values (~≤9 dKh) to avoid "burning" the tips of SPS. In low ALK scenarios, it's more difficult for stony corals to uptake calcium from the water, so it's often suggested that higher CA levels be maintained. You might also adjust values to account for elevated CA or ALK levels in your salt mix.

And in case that's not enough to get your head spinning - the ultimate variable is that the corals we keep in our see-through boxes come from diverse environments with varying salinity/temp/CA/ALK/Light and flow levels. As we try and maintain them all in a single environment - the best we can hope for is creating stable values somewhere in the middle.

How's that for a long answer to a short question?