Need help setting up doser-Calgary

[Coralgurl]

I actually just found these calculators earlier today, huge help, so I dosed tonight accordingly, will continue over the next couple of days. I've been dosing according to instructions but I guess that's to maintain. Someone mentioned to increase by 20% but it wasn't making a difference. Tank is not heavily stocked with corals. I've bought reef crystals salt to see if that makes a difference too and will do another water change this weekend.

Thank you for your help, much appreciated!

[Wayne]

What kind of salt where you using before?

[Coralgurl]

I've been using Seachem Salinity. In the bottom of my mixing bucket, there's a lot of build up on the bottom, but when I test, everything is good.

Today my parameters are as follows
Mag 1450
Ca 420
Dkh 6
Temp 78
Salinity 1.026
Phosphates between 0-10, hard to distinguish results

I've tested phosphates and ammonia 0

I noticed this morning, my wall frogspawn is now showing skeleton. I'm going to rescape my 55 and move him back over. This coral has done significantly well up till now, I paid $250 for it and have had it almost a year, not prepared to lose it.

I don't know what is going on and very frustrated. I dont know what to do at this point. I've lost $100's in corals over the past while and although the parameters have been a bit low, is this really enough to have this affect? What am I missing?

[fishytime]

nitrates?

[Coralgurl]

I meant nitrates are between 0-10. Hard to tell with API test.

If you mix the salt while it is cold over night, that will prevent the build up. Then turn the heater on when its all mixed up.

Are you trying to raise your alkalinity levels up a little higher? 6dKH makes me cringe.

Based on your tests, you don't have a parameter issue. Are you vacuuming the sand bed at water change? If yes, maybe ease on it for a while until everything gets settled down. maybe gas bubbles are being released.

Or feed more to increase the nutrients. The frogspawn will like it.

[Coralgurl]

I mix warm, will turn the heater off and see if this helps.

The dkh was up to 8 2 days ago. I missed dosing Friday and Saturday but caught up today.

I never have vacuumed the sand in either tank, have a goby who keeps things clean.

I wonder if I need to increase the lighting intensity, have radions, can post what I have them set at. One of them unplugged when I changed some things around this week, but it's only been a few days, checked the programming today and reset.

[Coralgurl]

I've been testing over the last 3 days and dosing accordingly.

July 29
Mag 1450
Dkh 6
Ca 420

July 30 - no dosing mag and ca
Mag 1350
Dkh 7
Ca 420

July 31 - no dosing
Mag 1150
Dkh 6
Ca 440

New salt water - tested tonight
Mag 1250
Dkh8
Ca 380

I've used the calculators and know what to dose to raise and then to maintain. I skipped the water change scheduled for this weekend and am using the balance of the salinity salt before switching. We are heading away this weekend and I'm hesitant to set up the doser without being able to keep an eye on things, but don't want things to slide either.

I'm only going to dose mag and alk, calcium should remain stable. I also need to pick up more magnesium will research DIY mixes if available, but for a quick supply, what's a good local product? I bought a pack from red coral, but didn't write down what it was called, as they are currently closed, any suggestions on what I could grab?
Thanks for the help. I know my posts have been a bit random and scattered out of frustration and not thinking about what I'm saying....