combining iron and two part dosing

[MorganAtlanta]

Is it okay to combine Kent's Iron and Manganese with any of the BRS two part liquids for automatic dosing? Alk (Sodium Carbonate), Calc (Calcium Chloride) or Magnesium (Magnesium Sulfate + Magnesium Chloride)?

[Aeros]

You're a genius if this works. Why didn't I think of that...

[MorganAtlanta]

Fauna Marin suggests adding trace metals to the Calcium Chloride solution. I'll try that.

http://faunamarindirect.com/downloads/B ... Manual.pdf

[SantaMonica]

You'll have to check to see if it precipitates out.

[Aeros]

You'll have to check to see if it precipitates out.

Dammit. Why didn't I think of that. The BRS stuff is at near pcipitation already in it's current solution. Maybe there's headroom for some iron and a lil manganese too.

Well I'll test it, making a fresh batch of CaCl solution tonight. Any recommendations on concentration?

Also, I'm getting a cal reactor in a week. Could iron be added to the slurry? Or possible enough iron in the media?

[iggy]

If your running a calcium reactor, there is no need to worry about 2 part much and the excess CO2 from reactor initially will be more than enough nutrients.

[Aeros]

If your running a calcium reactor, there is no need to worry about 2 part much and the excess CO2 from reactor initially will be more than enough nutrients.

From my reading it takes a while to dial in a Ca reactor, and will necessitate dosing till that happens. I also anticipate my colonies to outgrow the capacity of my Ca reactor sooner than later.

As for the CO2, I'm counting on the scrubber to help with that so I don't have to dose kalk.

I will have to find a way to get Iron into the system consistently for the scrubber. I'm almost certain coral skeleton won't have much, but I'll look that up before I do any dosing.

Fortunately Ca reactor slurry has little to none in the way of nutrients, maybe trace phosphates. Else, I don't think people would use it.

Still haven't mixed any CaCl up, I'll do that today, and post.

[iggy]

I had good results with a Precision Marine Calcium reactor. Dialing in should take 1-2 weeks with good equipment. I highly recommend kalk with it as SPS will respond well to high pH

I never used pH controller, just high quality needle valve.

If you are determined to add iron, try and find a Eheim Liquidoser. It can add 1.8 ml of any solution. It is the same as the Eheim autofeeders but has a special liquid attachment.

[MorganAtlanta]

I already dose two-part (actually three, including the magnesium) from Bulk Reef Supply automatically. So, I was wondering if I could just add iron to one of the solutions that I already dose.

What concentration of iron is recommended to maintain?

[Aeros]

I already dose two-part (actually three, including the magnesium) from Bulk Reef Supply automatically. So, I was wondering if I could just add iron to one of the solutions that I already dose.

What concentration of iron is recommended to maintain

Were tryo g to determine both of those questions still. There is a concern that adding chelated Iron might cause a percipitation event in either of the two BRS solutions. But I as yet have not tested this, I also feel there is some headroom left before any precipitate occurs, additionally. The iron/manganese is already in solution so should not change the saturation level much of either the CaCl or Bi/Carbonate unless you're considering adding it to the volume of water pre mixed. I was intending to add it post mix.

As for the amount: following the instructions and not doing what SM did is advisable. As yet we don't have a target concentration to maintain for optimal scrubbing. My goal is to just make sure iron is not a limiting factor.