Can someone tell me about dosing, buffers etc? Trying to get new guidance

[RtReef]

As of the last 6 months I have been doing weekly to every 2 weeks 33% water changes, and then next day adding 1/2 cap reef results one step calcium carbonate. Tank seems to be doing fine for the most part.

I'm getting confused or thinking that I'm doing something wrong when I see people doing 2 part dosings, or adding kalk. What is the regular maintenance you perform on your tank in terms of dosing supplements?

[sponger0]

Dosing supplements is based on your tanks parameters. So you we need more info on your specific tank to offer suggestions.

What reason are you dosing calcium carbonate for?

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I would avoid that reef results one step calcium carbonate. It sounds like fine aragonite which is not a useful additive. It simply doesn't dissolve when added to normal seawater. Worse, if the fine particles are still in solution, it will fool your test kits into thinking it supplied something as the particles will dissolve under the test conditions.

This article has some guidance:

The “How To” Guide to Reef Aquarium Chemistry for Beginners, Part 2: What Chemicals Must be Supplemented
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-04/rhf/index.php

[RtReef]

Well it's more so to keep calcium stable and it's also a ph stabilizer. All my parameters are pretty good. Nitrate is on one high up around 40ppm, phosphates are just a trace, ammonia and trite are 0, dkh was 8, cal is 460, ph ~8.0, temp 78*

I only keep softies, and several LPS. I never really tested for Mag, iodine, and some other elements.

I was just curious because I see a lot of 2 part dosing and other supplements added to their reef. Didn't know if I was missing out on something.

[RtReef]

I would avoid that reef results one step calcium carbonate. It sounds like fine aragonite which is not a useful additive. It simply doesn't dissolve when added to normal seawater. Worse, if the fine particles are still in solution, it will fool your test kits into thinking it supplied something as the particles will dissolve under the test conditions.

This article has some guidance:

The “How To” Guide to Reef Aquarium Chemistry for Beginners, Part 2: What Chemicals Must be Supplemented
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-04/rhf/index.php

Thank you for the link... I have some reading to do!

Funny you say that about disolving, because when I add it, it is a white liquid that clouds the water for about 10 minutes or so..

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Well it's more so to keep calcium stable and it's also a ph stabilizer. .

No, calcium carbonate doesn't do either of those, despite the claims. It doesn't dissolve.

I show that here:

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/july2002/chem.htm

[RtReef]

Again thank you for the useful info. I'm glad I asked this question and I'm getting some guidance!

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

You're welcome.

Happy reefing. :)

[sponger0]

If you only have softies and LPS, weekly water changes should be more than enough unless you have a system packed. But you do need to test your water.

Also, buffer a pH isnt always a good idea. Its putting a bandaid on a problem

[RynosReef]

2 part dosing, kalk, ca reactors and the like are to maintain calcium and alkalinity levels and sometimes mag, depending on the method. Sps corals tend to use these up quickly so one of the above methods is used to make up for their demands. These methods also provide very stable ca and alk levels which is also important to the health of many corals. I agree that reef results isn't needed. If you want to implement supplementing, I would first invest in some good test kits to make sure you even need to supplement at all. If you don't keep sps corals that demand lots of ca and alk then you may be ok with weekly water changes :) No need to spend money on supps if you don't need them.

[Steve175]

I agree with bagging the reef results, continuing the water exchanges, and continuing frequent water testing. Research Calc reactor, Kalk dosing (probably cheapest and easiest) and 2-part and be ready to start one of the 3 once your dKH falls consistently below 8.

[RtReef]

I do test my own water at least once a week inbetween water changes.

My dkh is at 8 or so. Is there a difference between Calc reactor, kalk dosing. From what I gathered it appears the kalk dosing will be cheapest and easiest.

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

There are pros and cons to all of the calcium and alkalinity addition methods. When demand is not that great, limewater (kalkwasser) and two parts are usually the best bet. A DIY two part is probably similar in cost to limewater, but commercial versions of either of these will be more.

I use only limewater for my system.


This has more:

How to Select a Calcium and Alkalinity Supplementation Scheme
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm