Beginner 2 part dosing question

[BryanDuggan]

I did a 10 gallon water change yesterday on my 30G nano. Tonight I tested. The only thing that is low is my ALK.

SG - 1.025
Nitrates - 0
Calcium - 500
Mg - 1600
Kdh - 6

I bought B-ionic 2 part today, diluted it, and tomorrow I'll be able to add it. Am I correct in thinking I should only be adding the carbonate?


Bioload - I have 2 damsels, 2 clowns, and various corals (softies, zoas/palys, acans, birds nest, green slimer, and a 4" maxima.

 

[redfishbluefish]

You want to add the ALK part......sodium carbonate (or potentially sodium bicarbonate). The other part, CALC, is calcium chloride.


EDIT TO ADD: Yes, you only want to dose Alkalinity (I think Part 1 or A is what B-Ionic calls it). Continue to test frequently to hopefully see Calc drop and alk increase. The increainge ALK number will help lower the Calc number you are seeing.

 

[BryanDuggan]

Thanks. The reef calculator says I need 6oz to get alk to 7dkh. What is a reasonable amount to start out with? 3oz?

 

[redfishbluefish]

3 ounces seems like a ton.....although you said you diluted it. What was your dilution.




I personally believe in slowly creeping up your numbers, instead of “ripping” them up to some dKh. If it was “normal” B-Ionic concentration, I would be looking at something between 5 – 10 mls per day for a 30 gallon tank. That translates to 0.2 to 0.3 ounces.

 

[mnat]

Figure out what you need to get there and divide it over 7 days and that is what you need to dose. Take is slow and test every day for the first few weeks.

 

[BryanDuggan]

By diluted, I mean I added the appropriate amount of ro water to the concentrate. glad I asked about dosage. I'll start small and test a day or two later.

 

[redfishbluefish]

I just did a re-read of these posts and realize you have a 4 inch clam. Your ALK and CALC demand are going to be considerable more than just having a couple corals. Clams really suck that stuff up. So you definitely want to do daily testing until you figure out the ALK and CALC demand with that clam.

Also, if you have a reef controller, you might wish to pick up dosing pumps (someone on MR is selling two BRS pumps for $100) so that you could dose multiple times over the day. With a relatively small tank with a big clam, I would speculate you calcium swing would be fairly large if you were only dosing once a day.

 

[BryanDuggan]

Hi Paul - I was debating getting a doser, so this helps me. What is MR?

 

[greybolt03]

Hi Paul - I was debating getting a doser, so this helps me. What is MR?

MR=Manhatten Reefs

 

[redfishbluefish]

HERE is the link on Manhattan Reefs for the BRS pumps