What should I dose?

Discussion in 'Coral Health' started by Brennan, Feb 11, 2011.

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  1. Brennan

    Brennan Gigas Clam

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    I have a 60g tank and a 20g fuge, I currently have some acans, a torch, zoas, and a plate coral. I plan on having more LPS, a few softies, and SPS after a long time. What should I dose right now? I have Lugol's solution and I dose that every week (2 drops) what else would help?
     
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  3. arentspowell

    arentspowell Skunk Shrimp

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    have you checked your calcium and DKH levels? If they stay constant with water changes you might not need to dose.
     
  4. Brennan

    Brennan Gigas Clam

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    I don't have a calcium test, I figured I would get one once I got more coral. my Alk is 10, phosphate 0, nitrate 0, and ph 7.8-8.0
     
  5. Clonefarmer

    Clonefarmer Millepora

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    I would test Calcium to see where it's at before doing anything. A dkh of 10 is pretty good. If your Calcium is up, than there's no need to dose.
     
  6. Brennan

    Brennan Gigas Clam

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    Ok sounds good, once I do get more coral and need to dose, what product do you recommend? My LFS has a product called Calcion and others for different elements ie. Magnesion and Strontion
     
  7. Corailline

    Corailline Super Moderator

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    If you do not have a lot of coralline, clams or a lot of sps, routine water changes will replenish the ca and mg and trace elements like iodine and strontium. I would not dose either iodine or strontium anyway. As the tank ages and the stoney corals get larger there maybe a need for supplemental ca/buffer/mg.
     
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  9. pjracer

    pjracer Peppermint Shrimp

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    I would test you calcium and MG. If you want your corals to grow these parapaters are nesicary for building your corals skeleton formation. A well balanced Aquarium with not only keep your corals alive but help them grow quicker.
     
  10. ComputerJohn

    ComputerJohn Panda Puffer

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    IMO I wouldn't dose anything until you get a confirmed tests done. Also, I would take advertised levels of CAL & MG in salts don't mind the pun, take it like a grain of salt. I'm yet to see those advertised levels to be correct.

    Sent from my HTC EVO using Tapatalk
     
  11. Clonefarmer

    Clonefarmer Millepora

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    A 2 part like B Ionic is easy to use. A few people use BRS 2 part. I use a Kalkwasser drip, Kalk is a little more DIY.

    Since both Calcium and Alkalinity are depleted at the same time. It's a good idea to dose with a balanced additive.

    Don't dose anything you can't test for :). Get a Magnesium test kit if you can. I wouldn't worry about testing/dosing anything besides Calcium, Alkalinity and Magnesium.
     
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  12. Brennan

    Brennan Gigas Clam

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    Ok, I won't dose anything else until I get the proper test kit. Does everyone agree that I shouldn't dose Iodine?