What to dose

[essmaker]

My system seems very healthy, and all parameters (ph, phosphate, nitrate, nitrite, Ammonia) are near perfect if not perfect.

I am dosing with Stronium and Molybdenum about once a week currently.

My calcium levels are off the charts (my test only goes up to 450 and mine is somewhat higher than that) so I don't dose any calc.

Is there anything else someone would recommend that I add for general reef happiness?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Flipper]

Are you sure your test kit is accurate? Which kit are you using?

 

[essmaker]

I'm using a Red Sea Calcium Pro test kit that is well within expiration. I haven't tested it with a different kit (thought I should).

A guy at the LFS convinced me to purchase a certain type of rock that I put into my sump. He said it released calcium on it's own and that he had never had to dose. I con't remember what the name of the rock is, but it's just a white LR looking stuff.

 

[Curtswearing]

I use a Red Sea during the middle of the week when I just want to do a quick check. However, I have found it to be off by 50 ppm often when checked against other test kits.

 

[Curtswearing]

That's likely Sea-Lab #28.

It will dissolve and it will release calcium. But it does not do what they claim it does. Namely only dissolve the trace elements or calcium when that particular element is lacking. That's advertising hype.

 

[essmaker]

So aside from getting a reliable calcium test done, does anyone recommend anythingto dose in general?

 

[Curtswearing]

I don't recommend dosing anything if I don't have a test kit for it. I have seen people wipe out invertebrates by doing a dosing regimen with Iodine.

I dose a 2 part Calcium and Alkalinity product called B-Ionic. I also drip Kalk often. However, I didn't do that until I owned test kits for Alkalinity, pH, and Calcium.

Choosing a Calcium and Alkalinity Scheme

and here's another one of my favorites.
Solving Calcium and Alkalinity Problems

Most trace elements are replaced when doing a waterchange.

 

[essmaker]

Thanks!

 

[ScottT1980]

I don't recommend dosing anything if I don't have a test kit for it. I have seen people wipe out invertebrates by doing a dosing regimen with Iodine.

I agree wholeheartedly. I tried to take out my tank by getting a bit too proactive. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Take er easy
Scott T.

 

[fidojoe]

I also have the Calcium Test kit Pro from Red sea, you can actually use the chart to calculate higher #s and add more drops if you want to know the exact #.

 

[DICK]

I got a bit lazy approx. 6 months ago and stopped adding small amounts of Iodine I ussually used to add every week. But I noticed my shrooms were not as "happy" as they were when I was adding the Iodine, so I began two weeks ago to add it again and they are really coming back now.
DICK

 

[Curtswearing]

After a while, you will be able to see when things are "off" as Dick just mentioned.

At this point I can tell if there is any large quantities of ammonia in my tank or if the some other parameter is off just by looking at my corals and fish.

However, I would still recommend test, test, test until you have a lot of experience with your tank.

 

[essmaker]

Thanks for all the answers!

 

[DICK]

I trickle limewater 24/7 and only test for Ca, Alk, Ph and SG approx. once a month.

 

[wooddood]

good reading all thanks.

 

[Craig Manoukian]

Originally posted by Curtswearing
I would still recommend test, test, test until you have a lot of experience with your tank.

I second, third, and fourth this! The rule should be never add anything to a tank unless you have used a quality test kit and are exactly positive what dose you need to bring the tank into balance. If you are doing regular water changes with a good salt, and you don't have a heavy coral load, your tank shouldn't need much dosing.

If your inverts are molting regularly your iodine is probably just fine. Too much iodine can be worse than too little.

Let us know how things go in the future and we'll try to help as much as possible.

:smirk:

 

[ReefLady]

Here's a good link about Strontium:

>Strontium and the Reef Aquarium> ~ Randy Holmes-Farley.