Have had a torch for about three weeks now and am receiving 5 zoas from WWC tomorrow. I imagine this is enough coral to start considering dosing (90 gallon system), so I want to understand exactly how to prepare for this. I purchased AFR before realizing that it is actually recommended to reach stable parameters with two part before using it. So, let's say I want these target parameters:
Alk: 7.8
Mg: 1300
Ca: 400
pH: 8.2
As of Feb 18, my current parameters are:
Nitrate: 24.9 (trying to bring down, Hanna)
Phosphate: 0.25 (also trying to bring down, Hanna)
Alk: 7.8 (Hanna)
Mg: 1280 (Red Sea Test Kit)
Ca: 400 (Red Sea Test Kit)
pH: 8.3 (Salifert)
Would I first raise the Alk, Mg, and Ca with, for instance, Tropic Marin Balling A&B, reach my target parameters, and then switch to AFR and use that to maintain these? In other words, do I want to match as close as possible to the ratio of elements I mentioned with two-part before using AFR, which I presume increases all parameters at the same rate? Does AFR act similarly to the Part C of the Balling Method where it contains the ions that will prevent accumulation of sodium chloride? I plan on daily testing once I have the new zoas added so I can get a sense of consumption patterns for each parameter. I am also currently using Red Sea Coral Pro Salt and do 10-15% weekly water changes.
Alk: 7.8
Mg: 1300
Ca: 400
pH: 8.2
As of Feb 18, my current parameters are:
Nitrate: 24.9 (trying to bring down, Hanna)
Phosphate: 0.25 (also trying to bring down, Hanna)
Alk: 7.8 (Hanna)
Mg: 1280 (Red Sea Test Kit)
Ca: 400 (Red Sea Test Kit)
pH: 8.3 (Salifert)
Would I first raise the Alk, Mg, and Ca with, for instance, Tropic Marin Balling A&B, reach my target parameters, and then switch to AFR and use that to maintain these? In other words, do I want to match as close as possible to the ratio of elements I mentioned with two-part before using AFR, which I presume increases all parameters at the same rate? Does AFR act similarly to the Part C of the Balling Method where it contains the ions that will prevent accumulation of sodium chloride? I plan on daily testing once I have the new zoas added so I can get a sense of consumption patterns for each parameter. I am also currently using Red Sea Coral Pro Salt and do 10-15% weekly water changes.