Regular W/C vs. Dosing

Both but water changes are most important. Water changes get rid of or reduce the wastes and things that accumulate and are not exported by the nitrification/denitrification process. Dosing replinishes the elements that are consumed by corals and inhabitants in their growth process. They are in essence two different things but water changes have the addded benifit or both eliminating wastes or cumulative elements plus replinishing needed elements.
If I were to choose just one it would easily be water changes, but really both are needed in a SPS or LPS dominated system without things like a calcium reactor or kalk reactor.

 

Since you're including Ca, Alk, and Mg, in "trace elements" I dose. I don't consider them trace elements. I have to dose, there is no way I could keep my parameters stable without supplementing the big three. I do water changes mostly for dilution of potential buildup of toxins etc and for replenishing some actual trace elements like strontium etc that might get used up.

 

Oh I stand corrected...considering there are 70 elements (the "big 3" are on the list) found in NSW what should've I classed them as?

 

Well, I'm not trying to necessarily correct you, just pointing out the potential source of confusion. Trace elements are the elements that are found in relatively miniscule quantities in NSW. They are often sold as products called "trace elements" which don't actually contain any of the "big 3". These are pretty much completely optional for a successful reef so I imagine most people don't dose them.

Unfortunately I don't think there's a nice easy, agreed upon term for the "big 3". Usually if you just refer to dosing methods in general most people will assume you mean the main 3, cal, alk, and mg because that's what most people dose for and they really are the only thing most people need to dose for.

Hopefully you don't take offense to my pointing this out, just trying to help you avoid confusion.

 

no offense taken, just wanting to learn something ;D

 

I do both as well. Only add mag when needed.

 

haven't voted... I don't equate manual dosing to automated dosing (or reactors). Manual isn't nearly the long term stability as an automated approach. So, I wouldn't lump them together. Not to say one can't get relative stability with regular water changes.



Personally, I auto-dose. I haven't done a WC in, I don't know, going on 8 months now. I did change out about 3 gallons a couple months ago bc I was cleaning out my skimmer and it holds about 3 gallons.

My nitrates and phosphates have been a steady 0 for over a year now. I am successfuly growing LPS (most of what I have), SPS, and a few softies.

This isn't for everyone though. If I wasn't maintaining 0 nitrate/phosphate for this period I would absolutely do water changes (while I investigated where they were coming from or if I needed more rock/biological or mechanical filtration).

I only keep 3 or 4 fish at a time in my 55 and I feed sparingly.

But I would think twice at advise that indicates regular water changes are an absolute criteria for success.

 

I do both, my calcium and alkalinity really take a hit if I don't, especially since I gone to the dark side of "The SPS".

 

Trying so hard to stay immune to SPS fever..lol

 

in my reef i do 25% wc every 2 weeks with IO salt but my cal level would not be at proper level without daily dose of 2-part. My tank is also only lightly stocked right now as i am prepping to move in a month.