Reef Chemistry - Is This Normal?

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Is This Normal?

Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Specialized Discussion
Forum Name: Reef Chemistry
Forum Description: A place to discuss reef chemistry.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=60715
Printed Date: June 28 2026 at 8:10pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.03 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Is This Normal?

Posted By: Shayne
Subject: Is This Normal?
Date Posted: December 07 2012 at 12:41pm

I keep reading about people saying that they don't need to dose supplements (2 part) unless they have a large bio-load. I've had to dose 2 part for the last 8 months yet, in my opinion, my bio-load is pretty light. Currently I dose 1 cup of Alk (made with baked baking soda) and 1 cup of Ca (made with Prestone Driveway Heat) every day. I also add 1 cup of Mg (made with Epson Salts) every 7-10 days. For the last 4-5 months this has stayed pretty stable.

Average parameters and tank info:

Alk: 9-11 dkh

Ca: 400-450

Mg: 1300-1350

Salinity: ~1.025

I also add 2-3 tablespoons of pickling lime to my 12 gallon top-off reservoir every time I fill it up.

I do 5% water changes every 2 weeks.

Tank: 90 gallon with a 40 gallon sump w/fuge (actual water content is around 100 gallons). 1 canister. No skimmer.

Bio-load:

1 chromis, 1 cucumber, 2 shrimp, about 30 snails, 2 micro-hermits, 6 heads of candy cane, a 2"x2" galaxia, a 3"x2" leather, a 2"x2" favia, a 2"x2" chalice, about 10 heads of frogspawn, and a couple of mushrooms.

My question:

Would this be considered a light bio-load and if so why do I need to dose so much? Is this normal?

Thanks in advance for any responses or advice.

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21G Reefer Nano

Replies:

Posted By: Ryanscott
Date Posted: December 07 2012 at 12:55pm

Your still goinv to have to dose. It wont be as often as if you had a bigger bioload but the corals will still take the stuff from the water.

Posted By: bur01014
Date Posted: December 07 2012 at 1:30pm

Remember to factor in coraline algae into your bioload....this will typically suck up more 2-part than most demanding sps corals....

If your live rock and back wall is beginning to become coated in coraline, this may likely be the reason for the increase in need, in addition to your "light bioload" of livestock....

Tanks covered in coraline can typically lose 2 dkh of alk per day, even if they don't have any corals....

Btw- your dosing amounts seem normal given the inhabitants, size and age of tank.

Posted By: Shayne
Date Posted: December 07 2012 at 1:41pm

Thanks for the responses. I guess everything is fine then. I just wanted to make sure I didn't have anything strange going on.

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21G Reefer Nano