How necessary is it to dose?

[Aeb1419]

I am your intermediate aquariast. I have had a saltwater tank for about 6 years now. I had to restart once cause of other responsibilities I needed to tend too. My current tank is 3 years old. Its a 22 gal. I like to keep it small and simple. I am considering getting a bigger tank way later in life, I just dont have the amount of time to dedicate to a big tank like that right now.

I am the type of hobbyist that doesnt like to spend to much time tending to the tank. The more automated it is the better. But with that said, here is my current maintenance schedule.

I perform biweekly water changes. About 5 gallons. I test for 0 things. I do watch my tank regularly and only panic when things seem off, stressed fish, coral, etc.

i have a media reactor that I only used for one month. I eventually took it off cause it added more of a worklaod for me (hahaha some of you might think im
Lazy but I dedicate alot of my time to other things). I just now about 3 weeks ago added a protein skimmer to help keep my maintenance lower. Im not planning to change my biweekly water changes but I know it will only help keep pulling out gunk.

My question is, should I consider dosing? I have never done it before and Im worried it will just either cause me to work more than I want too or break my bank getting a full automated doser. Checking levels constantly and tweeking, etc.

now why am I considering dosing? I have been buying some more coral recently and thar I do not want to stop. Hahaha no1 does am I right?

i have been spending quite a few bucks on some pieces and I dont want them dying on me cause I wasnt checking my levels. I am a little arrogant in thinking that my
Levels will just work themseleves out. Should I consider buying testing kits to monitor the current calcium and alkalinity levels? Im scared im gonna get into that routine where I am constantly checking and panicking for every little thing (I can get OCD with certain things)

I am curious to know how many people on here dont dose at all vs those who do. I know everyone has their own method and sticks to it, so it would be nice to hear people strategies. I have heard of the simple ATO kalwasser method but this thing scares me. I feel like if its not broken why fix it? I am
Also worried about waiting for the water to clear out after mixing, the ARO sucking the reaidue at the bottom by accident, or those instances where ATO is topping off when it shouldnt and overdosing which means me
Monitoring it more often than I want too, also I heard about closing off the container as much as possible to reduce oxygen exposure. So many things.
Curious to hear people opinions.

thanks

 

[mickeysreef <*))))<]

i think its important to have a test kit, but i doubt you need a doser at that size. i mean i guess you could get a simple one part. but really your 5g water changes are probably fine. if you arent chasing numbers and everything looks happy then let it be?

 

[amado]

So dosing is about giving the corals what they need.
So if you keep simple soft corals you won’t have to much
Of a demand for alk/calcium. If you get more demanding corals then keeping the right balance of alk and calcium is very important. It doesn’t matter the size of the tank it’s what corals you decide to keep. For a tank that size I would stay away from kalkwasser. I love kalkwasser and I use it but for small system it can create a lot of problems.
You can buy a product like “all for reef” that is alk/calcium all in one and you can dose it by hand or put it on a doser.
No matter what you decide you have to test your water
If you don’t all your corals will die in time. No matter how many water changes you do. Testing and keeping the water stable is the only way to keep corals.

 

[Aeb1419]

Thanks for the info. I will consider getting a test kit in the near future as my demand from corals grow. I will look into that all in one bottle like you suggested.