Dosing Pumps do they work?
- Thread starter Justin144
- Start date
Re: Dosing Pumps do they work?
If your not dosing your not growing (stony corals that is).
I have used a ca reactor, kalk and 2 part. I prefer 2part for consistency, stability and safety. I use the litermeter 3, brs and a timer or controller work great also!
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If your not dosing your not growing (stony corals that is).
I have used a ca reactor, kalk and 2 part. I prefer 2part for consistency, stability and safety. I use the litermeter 3, brs and a timer or controller work great also!
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Dont use as much mag as BRS says too. I do use tropic marin pro reef which has high mag but low alk (7dkh). But yes I check my parameters weekly because I am always dosing extra alk/calk. The guys on RC said low mag use is normal and some sand hardening is normal. I have never seen precip unless Im dosing by hand and get impatient and it goes right away before it even leaves the skimmer chamber.
your about the 4th person that ive heard use tropic marin pro and have issues with sand hardening... strange!
Ive started using the Microb-Lift Reef Saltz which has high alk, mag, calc and never had issues. i think the mag always ran around 1500, alk around 10, and calc around 480ish. On this tank I dosed 200ml of alk and calc a day on the bubble magus doser. But I also had a vigorous CUC that kept my sand stirred. Nassarius snails, pistol shrimp, cucumbers.
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Ive started using the Microb-Lift Reef Saltz which has high alk, mag, calc and never had issues. i think the mag always ran around 1500, alk around 10, and calc around 480ish. On this tank I dosed 200ml of alk and calc a day on the bubble magus doser. But I also had a vigorous CUC that kept my sand stirred. Nassarius snails, pistol shrimp, cucumbers.
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yes, it's worth it. I didn't run one for a while and just manually dosed. Once you get the dosing pumps dialed in, they're basically set and forget aside from re-filling the dosing containers.
I run a cheap "marine magic" doser I picked up off ebay...it has a programmable digital timer built in and has been pretty reliable. The tank has done MUCH better with the stable levels.
I run a cheap "marine magic" doser I picked up off ebay...it has a programmable digital timer built in and has been pretty reliable. The tank has done MUCH better with the stable levels.
I think it boils down to your own personal preference based on Size of tank, quantity and type of corals, and if you are able to schedule your life to dose when necessary.
First, what size tank are you running.
If you have a large tank with loads of corals, then you will want to dose and not rely on water changes to maintain your levels. If you have a small tank and do proper water changes, then you can either hand dose or you might consider kalkwasser in your ato to help keep your levels maintained.
Second, what type of corals do you want to keep.
Some types of corals use calcium much more than others. Then it goes back to your life style and if you can dose on a very regular basis.
Third, Lifestyle and free time.
Going back to how much you will need to dose based on size of tank and type of corals, can you set specific times during the day to properly dose the right mount of each mixture. Some people do and some don't. I for don't have that luxury and my fish are fed at all type of different times at night.
I currently run a 16g Nano and a 28g JBJ, but neither have that much in the way of coral. After I complete my 120g build, i will initially hand dose the tank to keep a better track of things, but plan to switch to dosers as i don't ahve room for a calk reactor. The consistancy if your parameters is a huge issue to corals and having a lot dumped in at one time a day can cause your parameters to swing. The dosers drip in small quantities, automatically, throughout the day.
There are plenty of memebers that do just fine with hand dosing so there is nothing wrong wtih that practice. I just need more automation in my life to meet my needs.
Best of luck.
First, what size tank are you running.
If you have a large tank with loads of corals, then you will want to dose and not rely on water changes to maintain your levels. If you have a small tank and do proper water changes, then you can either hand dose or you might consider kalkwasser in your ato to help keep your levels maintained.
Second, what type of corals do you want to keep.
Some types of corals use calcium much more than others. Then it goes back to your life style and if you can dose on a very regular basis.
Third, Lifestyle and free time.
Going back to how much you will need to dose based on size of tank and type of corals, can you set specific times during the day to properly dose the right mount of each mixture. Some people do and some don't. I for don't have that luxury and my fish are fed at all type of different times at night.
I currently run a 16g Nano and a 28g JBJ, but neither have that much in the way of coral. After I complete my 120g build, i will initially hand dose the tank to keep a better track of things, but plan to switch to dosers as i don't ahve room for a calk reactor. The consistancy if your parameters is a huge issue to corals and having a lot dumped in at one time a day can cause your parameters to swing. The dosers drip in small quantities, automatically, throughout the day.
There are plenty of memebers that do just fine with hand dosing so there is nothing wrong wtih that practice. I just need more automation in my life to meet my needs.
Best of luck.