Dosing Calcium and Magnesium.

VIVVIV · 04/16/2019, 10:42 PM

Before I buy any test and dosing equipment I have a basic question, just to satisfy my own curiosity.

My setup will be:
MAIN
24 X 20.5 X12
25.56 GAL

SUMP
24 X 12 X 13
16.21 GAL

TOTAL
41.77 GAL

As filled.

Sand, live rock, 2-3 small fish and about 10 frags.
Could anyone give me a ballpark idea of how much calcium and magnesium might be needed to add on a daily basis. Just a very rough idea would be great.

Thanks

bertoni · 04/16/2019, 10:44 PM

Alkalinity consumption per day can run up to 2-3 dKH or so fairly easily. That corresponds to 0-20 ppm of calcium, very approximately. Magnesium consumption should be minimal, and a lot of tanks get enough from water changes.

bshow24 · 04/17/2019, 12:40 AM

It starts slow, but the more your tank matures your corals grow, it's going to get closer to the numbers bertoni mentioned.

VIVVIV · 04/19/2019, 12:11 PM

Thanks to all who responded. It is good to know some very basic information when starting out.

And I DO realize it is important to test. But as I am new to dosing I have a few questions please.

Assuming I needed to dose 20ppm of calcium a day. What is the method to manually dose, or is it really necessary to buy a dosing pump. If money was no concern........... but it is.
Thanks

bertoni · 04/19/2019, 02:41 PM

Dosing by hand should be fine, at least until when and if the demand becomes very high. A 2-part like B-Ionic is a fine way to get started. There is a DIY formula to save some money, if you're interested.

Uncle99 · 04/19/2019, 03:45 PM

Dosers allow us to lessen the change in water chemistry as we can add a ml
Every hour instead of once per day....and stability is paramount.
They also allow us to direct additions to night and day depending on application, or ensure things like CA and Alk are not added at same time.

outssider · 04/19/2019, 05:46 PM

coralline algae takes up a lot of alk/cal/mag....your tank's consumption will increase for years before it actually somewhat stabilizes......you're stuck with testing at lest every couple weeks especially alk.

mcgyvr · 04/20/2019, 07:32 AM

It can be months or even years before you need to dose...
Dosing is only needed when you have sufficient consumption and water changes alone arent replenishing levels..
Depending on the size and type of corals you may never need to dose..

04/16/2019, 10:42 PM	#1
VIVVIV Registered Member. Join Date: May 2018 Posts: 37	Dosing Calcium and Magnesium. Before I buy any test and dosing equipment I have a basic question, just to satisfy my own curiosity. My setup will be: MAIN 24 X 20.5 X12 25.56 GAL SUMP 24 X 12 X 13 16.21 GAL TOTAL 41.77 GAL As filled. Sand, live rock, 2-3 small fish and about 10 frags. Could anyone give me a ballpark idea of how much calcium and magnesium might be needed to add on a daily basis. Just a very rough idea would be great. Thanks

04/16/2019, 10:44 PM	#2
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	Alkalinity consumption per day can run up to 2-3 dKH or so fairly easily. That corresponds to 0-20 ppm of calcium, very approximately. Magnesium consumption should be minimal, and a lot of tanks get enough from water changes. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

04/17/2019, 12:40 AM	#3
bshow24 Registered Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Thousand Oaks, CA Posts: 584	It starts slow, but the more your tank matures your corals grow, it's going to get closer to the numbers bertoni mentioned. __________________ Tank: Reefer XL 525 Reef Tank Equipment: 2x Radion XR15 Pro, Radion XR30 Pro, Vectra M1 Return, 2x MP40 Powerhead

04/19/2019, 12:11 PM	#4
VIVVIV Registered Member. Join Date: May 2018 Posts: 37	Thank you PLUS>>> Thanks to all who responded. It is good to know some very basic information when starting out. And I DO realize it is important to test. But as I am new to dosing I have a few questions please. Assuming I needed to dose 20ppm of calcium a day. What is the method to manually dose, or is it really necessary to buy a dosing pump. If money was no concern........... but it is. Thanks

04/19/2019, 02:41 PM	#5
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	Dosing by hand should be fine, at least until when and if the demand becomes very high. A 2-part like B-Ionic is a fine way to get started. There is a DIY formula to save some money, if you're interested. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

04/19/2019, 03:45 PM	#6
Uncle99 Crab Free Zone Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,906	Dosers allow us to lessen the change in water chemistry as we can add a ml Every hour instead of once per day....and stability is paramount. They also allow us to direct additions to night and day depending on application, or ensure things like CA and Alk are not added at same time.

04/19/2019, 05:46 PM	#7
outssider Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Reseda, Ca. Posts: 1,717	coralline algae takes up a lot of alk/cal/mag....your tank's consumption will increase for years before it actually somewhat stabilizes......you're stuck with testing at lest every couple weeks especially alk. __________________ Please don't feed the bears because the bears will become dependent on free handouts and forget how to take care of themselves …... Current Tank Info: 75 Gal. Mixed reef mostly sps

04/20/2019, 07:32 AM	#8
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	It can be months or even years before you need to dose... Dosing is only needed when you have sufficient consumption and water changes alone arent replenishing levels.. Depending on the size and type of corals you may never need to dose.. __________________ Who me?