- Location
- Hoboken, NJ
The Basis of Dosing Two-Part (or Three-Part)
So, I?ve seen a lot of mixed information regarding dosing two-part.
Let me begin by saying I purchased Red Sea foundation elements as I trust the brand, and have been convinced that it?s important to dose magnesium.
My new tank, only about 3 weeks in, began with these quantities before dosing.
Calcium: 390
dKH: 9
pH: 8
In an effort to get my numbers up, I read the recommended dose on the back of the bottle to get me to 12.6 dKH, and added what was a large dose to my 65 gallon tank all at once.
I flipped off the skimmer and then 30 minutes later, added the required amount of calcium to bring me to 450.
I tested again in a few hours. Now the calcium test is reading 330 and dKH is 13. Da fuq.
Being an idiot, I wait a few hours and decide to add more calcium. I?m going to test again later.
Fortunately, I haven?t dosed any magnesium yet as I haven?t received it.
Questions so far:
1. Should I be adding these in the exact same quantities? For instance, 1 ml to 1 ml? I?ve read it?s important to dose balanced but Red Sea makes no reference to this.
2. Did my calcium drop because I added too much of both at once, or because I added them in an imbalanced fashion?
3. Will not dosing magnesium for now throw off this balance? I want to get this in whack and deal with the magnesium once I?m comfortable.
4. Why is the salinity of my Apex now high? I?m assuming if I deal with evaporation, salinity should never change.
So, I?ve seen a lot of mixed information regarding dosing two-part.
Let me begin by saying I purchased Red Sea foundation elements as I trust the brand, and have been convinced that it?s important to dose magnesium.
My new tank, only about 3 weeks in, began with these quantities before dosing.
Calcium: 390
dKH: 9
pH: 8
In an effort to get my numbers up, I read the recommended dose on the back of the bottle to get me to 12.6 dKH, and added what was a large dose to my 65 gallon tank all at once.
I flipped off the skimmer and then 30 minutes later, added the required amount of calcium to bring me to 450.
I tested again in a few hours. Now the calcium test is reading 330 and dKH is 13. Da fuq.
Being an idiot, I wait a few hours and decide to add more calcium. I?m going to test again later.
Fortunately, I haven?t dosed any magnesium yet as I haven?t received it.
Questions so far:
1. Should I be adding these in the exact same quantities? For instance, 1 ml to 1 ml? I?ve read it?s important to dose balanced but Red Sea makes no reference to this.
2. Did my calcium drop because I added too much of both at once, or because I added them in an imbalanced fashion?
3. Will not dosing magnesium for now throw off this balance? I want to get this in whack and deal with the magnesium once I?m comfortable.
4. Why is the salinity of my Apex now high? I?m assuming if I deal with evaporation, salinity should never change.
