dosing.

Mike, what exactly are you looking for here? There's thousands of things people are dosing, are you looking for more info on dosing 2 part?

I've heard, but never actually heard why, you're not supposed to add either of the 2 parts together. You could add one of the parts to your top off, but there's no easy way to measure exactly how much of it you're putting in with your top off water per day. It's best to add them both as slowly as you can, preferably at night to keep any PH spike to a minimum. Peristaltic pumps are ideal, but a little expensive. I found some online that I heard of a few people trying out that were cheaper:

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Aquarium-Dosing-Pump-Double-Grade-performance-/200540487961?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2eb1250119

I'm no expert, but I'd be happy to answer any questions you've got.

 

If your just wanting to dose for calk, I use Mrs.Wags pickling lime. For magnesium I add Epsom salt, and I add vodka every day to boost my bacteria and myself for that matter. Works good and only takes 2min to do, and you can get it all at your local grocer or walmart.

 

I was thinking the same thing. I had the two pumps but I thought if I could just add my magnesium to the top off I could save $90 on a dosing pump. But for the reasons Adam mentioned I just bought another pump. I just think day to day there would be too much variation in evaporation. Thats not to say it can't be done everyone does things differently, if you can make it work let us know.

 

I add kalkwasser and vinegar to my top-off reservoir. I have used ascorbic acid also in the past added directly to the sump.....

 

Where have you seen people talking about those pumps?  I am curious to check it out.  I always see them on ebay but always assume they are junk.

 

Aww man, you're going to call me out! It's been such a long time, I remember skimming an article somewhere and saved the link to the pump in my bookmarks for when I can afford to buy it. haha

I'll try to find it again, can't make any promises though...

 

Somebody buy it so I know if I want one or not!

 

I wonder if it will mix in Ro water? Other wise I dont think it would be any different to add it to the top off than to your sump except that you will have more alk and ca in the top off water than normall tank water.

 

BRS dosing pumps are on sale for $69.99 right now...

--AJ

 

here is the two part that I have been using.
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php

And here is a calculator that will help you tell how much to use.
http://reef.diesyst.com/flashcalc/flashcalc.html

For me I just test once a week and add accordingly.
The pickling lime is also a very good way to add calcium and alk, but it won't help with magnesium

 

I already have 2 dosing pumps but I picked up one of the 50ml/min pumps for another project that I will hopefully start soon /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default/emoticons/wink.gif  Great deal for anyone looking to pick up pumps though!