Softies and dosing

Elricsfate · 01/13/2018, 06:42 PM

Next weekend I am moving my LPS and SPS out of my 75 and into my 180, and making my 75 a softie only tank. I have the DOS and all the other stuff I need to be successful in the 180. My question is, with regard to the 75, do softies use calcium and alk at all?

Bottom line, do I need to continue to test for these levels and keep them at accepted levels, or is it irrelevant in a softie only tank? I'm prepared either way, just want to get an idea of what I need to be doing.

mcgyvr · 01/13/2018, 06:51 PM

The demand will be much less in a soft coral tank..
You will most certainly need to adjust the dosers..

Elricsfate · 01/13/2018, 08:18 PM

Okay cool. I was wondering if there was ANY demand, since they don't build skeletons. Sounds like water changes with a good salt and occasional testing should do the trick. The dosers are going on the 180, so the 75 will be hand adjustment.

mcgyvr · 01/14/2018, 09:39 AM

There should be some consumption from softies (not to mention coralline algae,etc... in the tank)

socalireefdood · 01/19/2018, 01:50 AM

Ive never had to dose my softies. I feel like they like the dirty water

Randyz · 01/22/2018, 07:20 PM

As said above there should be some consumption of calcium and alk, but stability is key

rfgonzo · 01/27/2018, 11:41 PM

Soft corals will benefit from iodine. I haven't been a softy guy in about 20 years. I do however remember dosing iodine. I would look into more info on it.

01/13/2018, 06:42 PM	#1
Elricsfate Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Fredericksburg, Va Posts: 482	Softies and dosing Next weekend I am moving my LPS and SPS out of my 75 and into my 180, and making my 75 a softie only tank. I have the DOS and all the other stuff I need to be successful in the 180. My question is, with regard to the 75, do softies use calcium and alk at all? Bottom line, do I need to continue to test for these levels and keep them at accepted levels, or is it irrelevant in a softie only tank? I'm prepared either way, just want to get an idea of what I need to be doing.

01/13/2018, 06:51 PM	#2
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	The demand will be much less in a soft coral tank.. You will most certainly need to adjust the dosers.. __________________ Who me?

01/14/2018, 09:39 AM	#4
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	There should be some consumption from softies (not to mention coralline algae,etc... in the tank) __________________ Who me?

01/27/2018, 11:41 PM	#7
rfgonzo Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,280	Soft corals will benefit from iodine. I haven't been a softy guy in about 20 years. I do however remember dosing iodine. I would look into more info on it. __________________ 210 gal reef, 75 gal Refuge with 55 Gal sump mixed reef 100 gal Reef, 75 gal Refuge with 55 gal sump. SPS/LPS & 100 gal Japanese Dragon Moray eel tank with 40 gal sump 75 gal Brazilian Dragon Mor

01/13/2018, 08:18 PM	#3
Elricsfate Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Fredericksburg, Va Posts: 482	Okay cool. I was wondering if there was ANY demand, since they don't build skeletons. Sounds like water changes with a good salt and occasional testing should do the trick. The dosers are going on the 180, so the 75 will be hand adjustment.

01/19/2018, 01:50 AM	#5
socalireefdood Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 51	Ive never had to dose my softies. I feel like they like the dirty water

01/22/2018, 07:20 PM	#6
Randyz Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Posts: 53	As said above there should be some consumption of calcium and alk, but stability is key