Doser Vs Calcium Reactor

Goby13 · Jan 5, 2014

Anyone out there have an impartial opinion. I run heavy sps with high end frags that I want to keep stable.

I originally ran a Knopp single tube without a ph probe. I had a problem with the ph and alk because of the CO2.

I currently run a GHL doser for calcium, mag and alk but the disadvantage is the trace elements are missing. It's pretty easy to tune the tank unlike the reactor but it's only during media replacement.

I'm happy with the GHL but I'm always looking to make it better.

Pappy · Jan 5, 2014

I run a marine color dosing pump and had same concerns regarding trace elements. I just started fauna balling light where u add trace 1, 2, +3 to two part about 3 months ago and am seeing good results

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/fauna-marin-ultra-balling-light-trace-1-color-grow-elements.html

FYI still running brs 2 part not balling salts just trace

Goby13 · Jan 7, 2014

Thanks for the reply! I get my two part from BRS as well as checked out the balling salts. Did I read your post correct that you don't use their two part and mix with the bra part instead? You use 1,2 and 3 with brs two part?

I don't think it would affect the trace elements too much by not using their brand of carbonate or two part.

I may try it out with my next batch of two part

cee · Jan 7, 2014

I've done both at various points in the past. As you point out it is much easier to maintain stable levels and decent pH levels with the dosing method. You can even "tailor" the pH by the proper choice of what you dose. The major trace elements you probably have to be concerned about are potassium and strontium with SPS. Test kits are available for both but are pretty hard to read. Fortunately, with a little practice, there are salts of both available that you can dose once a week or so to make up any deficits (I found, even with a heavy SPS load, they don't deplete that quickly with 10% weekly water changes). A drop or two of iodine weekly in the form of Lugol's also helps (you can also test for this but with the same issues). I guess I've just developed a "feel" for what other metal salts and iodine are required over the many years of being in this hobby.

Pappy · Jan 8, 2014

Goby13 said:
Thanks for the reply! I get my two part from BRS as well as checked out the balling salts. Did I read your post correct that you don't use their two part and mix with the bra part instead? You use 1,2 and 3 with brs two part?

I don't think it would affect the trace elements too much by not using their brand of carbonate or two part.

I may try it out with my next batch of two part

Yup. 1, 2, and 3 with sodium bicarbonate and calcium chloride from brs. My thoughts on this are.....if weekly or bi weekly wc's aren't keeping up with alk and ca how do we know if they're keeping up with trace? If dosing very small amounts of trace at the same time as the 2 part then the corals are up taking only what is put in. And at the rate they grow.

Goby13 · Jan 9, 2014

I just orders the 1, 2, and 3 additive, we'll see how it goes! Thanks for the help! I like reactors but dosers seem way easier to tune and keep everything stable. It could be my inexperience but co2 kinda scares me.