Help with dosing!

[thatindonesianreefer]

Hi
I have a nano 12 gallon nano that needs some calcium and magnesium. I am new when it comes to dosing since i have never dosed. My goal is magnesium at 1400 and calcium at 400-450. As of right now my magnesium is at 1230 and calcium at 370.
I will he dosing with red sea foundation a and foundation c. Any help would be nice!

 

[Saltfishlover]

Per chatgpt:
For dosing calcium and magnesium in your 12-gallon nano reef tank, here are the steps you can follow using Red Sea Foundation A (calcium) and Foundation C (magnesium):

1. **Calculate the current deficit:**
- **Magnesium**: Current 1230 ppm, Goal 1400 ppm.
- Deficit: 1400 - 1230 = 170 ppm.
- **Calcium**: Current 370 ppm, Goal 400-450 ppm.
- Deficit: 400-450 - 370 = 30-80 ppm.

2. **Determine the dosing amount:**
- Use the dosing calculator provided by Red Sea, which is often available on their website or product guide. However, typical guidelines suggest:
- **Magnesium (Foundation C)**: For raising magnesium by 10 ppm in 1 gallon, you need approximately 1 ml of Foundation C. For a 12-gallon tank, to raise by 170 ppm:
- Required dose = (170 ppm / 10 ppm) * 1 ml * 12 gallons = 204 ml.
- **Calcium (Foundation A)**: For raising calcium by 10 ppm in 1 gallon, you need approximately 0.5 ml of Foundation A. For a 12-gallon tank, to raise by 30-80 ppm:
- Required dose = (30-80 ppm / 10 ppm) * 0.5 ml * 12 gallons = 18-48 ml.

3. **Divide the doses:**
- It's best to split the total dose into smaller increments to avoid shocking your system. For example, dose 1/3 of the total amount each day.

4. **Administer the dose:**
- **Magnesium**: If you need 204 ml total, dose around 68 ml per day for three days.
- **Calcium**: If you need 18-48 ml total, dose around 6-16 ml per day for three days.

5. **Monitor levels:**
- After dosing for three days, test your magnesium and calcium levels again to ensure they are approaching your target. Adjust further dosing as needed.

**Example Dosing Schedule:**

| Day | Magnesium (ml) | Calcium (ml) |
|-----|----------------|---------------|
| 1 | 68 | 6-16 |
| 2 | 68 | 6-16 |
| 3 | 68 | 6-16 |

Remember, it’s always best to proceed with caution and test frequently to ensure you are not over-dosing. Adjustments can be made based on the tank's response.

 

[thatindonesianreefer]

Thanks!

 

[thatindonesianreefer]

Also should you dose before or after a water change?

 

[Formulator]

Also should you dose before or after a water change?

I would do a water change and then re-test. Calculate the dose based on new results.

 

[Formulator]

Per chatgpt:
For dosing calcium and magnesium in your 12-gallon nano reef tank, here are the steps you can follow using Red Sea Foundation A (calcium) and Foundation C (magnesium):

1. **Calculate the current deficit:**
- **Magnesium**: Current 1230 ppm, Goal 1400 ppm.
- Deficit: 1400 - 1230 = 170 ppm.
- **Calcium**: Current 370 ppm, Goal 400-450 ppm.
- Deficit: 400-450 - 370 = 30-80 ppm.

2. **Determine the dosing amount:**
- Use the dosing calculator provided by Red Sea, which is often available on their website or product guide. However, typical guidelines suggest:
- **Magnesium (Foundation C)**: For raising magnesium by 10 ppm in 1 gallon, you need approximately 1 ml of Foundation C. For a 12-gallon tank, to raise by 170 ppm:
- Required dose = (170 ppm / 10 ppm) * 1 ml * 12 gallons = 204 ml.
- **Calcium (Foundation A)**: For raising calcium by 10 ppm in 1 gallon, you need approximately 0.5 ml of Foundation A. For a 12-gallon tank, to raise by 30-80 ppm:
- Required dose = (30-80 ppm / 10 ppm) * 0.5 ml * 12 gallons = 18-48 ml.

3. **Divide the doses:**
- It's best to split the total dose into smaller increments to avoid shocking your system. For example, dose 1/3 of the total amount each day.

4. **Administer the dose:**
- **Magnesium**: If you need 204 ml total, dose around 68 ml per day for three days.
- **Calcium**: If you need 18-48 ml total, dose around 6-16 ml per day for three days.

5. **Monitor levels:**
- After dosing for three days, test your magnesium and calcium levels again to ensure they are approaching your target. Adjust further dosing as needed.

**Example Dosing Schedule:**

| Day | Magnesium (ml) | Calcium (ml) |
|-----|----------------|---------------|
| 1 | 68 | 6-16 |
| 2 | 68 | 6-16 |
| 3 | 68 | 6-16 |

Remember, it’s always best to proceed with caution and test frequently to ensure you are not over-dosing. Adjustments can be made based on the tank's response.

Chat GPT is wrong don’t follow this! In fact, never let ChatGPT do any math for you. In my experience it tends to completely make up numbers.

Foundation C: 1 mL will raise magnesium by 1 ppm in 25 gallons (from bottle). In 12 gallons, 1 mL will raise magnesium 2.08 ppm. To add 170 ppm: 170 / 2.08 ppm = 81.7 mL. Add 81.7 mL foundation C.

Foundation A: 1 mL will raise calcium by 2 ppm in 25 gallons (from bottle). In 12 gallons, 1 mL will raise calcium 4.17 ppm. To add 50 ppm (target 420 ppm): 50 / 4.17 ppm = 12.0 mL. Add 12 mL foundation A.

 

[Saltfishlover]

I would agree that you always want to dbl check the math.. sorry I didn't add that disclaimer

 

[Formulator]

I would agree that you always want to dbl check the math.. sorry I didn't add that disclaimer

In this case it also came up with incorrect numbers for the bottle concentrations. But I suppose the logic it laid out could be helpful. I love AI and use chatGPT pretty frequently, but I find it more useful for creating content than solving problems.

 

[Pistondog]

If no corals are consuming alk and calcium, just do a corrective dose as @Formulator suggests.

 

[thatindonesianreefer]

Thanks for the replys!

 

[gregrock68]

Thanks for the replys!

Curious, for this small of a tank why not just do water changes once a week at 15-20%?

 

[thatindonesianreefer]

Curious, for this small of a tank why not just do water changes once a week at 15-20%?

I’ve been doing that for quite a while but it doesn’t seem to be working

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I’ve been doing that for quite a while but it doesn’t seem to be working

Have you tested the new salt water you are using?

In general, water changes are a very expensive way to maintain alk and calcium, but if the new salt water is not at or above your target level, no amount of water changes will get you there.

 

[thatindonesianreefer]

Have you tested the new salt water you are using?

In general, water changes are a very expensive way to maintain alk and calcium, but if the new salt water is not at or above your target level, no amount of water changes will get you there.

Calcium :420
Kh : 8 dkh
Mag : 1280