Many reef tank enthusiasts, like myself, aim for complete automation in their systems. The appeal of consistency is undeniable, promising a more stable and finely tuned reef environment. The idea of automating every aspect of reef care, including the Red Sea Care Program, is certainly attractive.
When considering automation, especially for the Red Sea program, it’s important to differentiate between supplements. Reef Energy, while a vital coral food source, isn’t as critical to maintain at rigidly stable levels as parameters like calcium, alkalinity, or nitrate/phosphate reduction solutions like NoPox. Missing a Reef Energy dose for a week, for instance, during a vacation, is unlikely to cause significant harm. Corals are generally adaptable to variations in feeding schedules; it’s more of a beneficial supplement than an absolute essential for immediate stability in the same way as other core elements.
However, effective Reef Energy dosing isn’t just about automation; it’s also about delivery. To maximize the benefits of Reef Energy, it’s generally recommended to activate feed mode on your pumps and turn off or remove filter socks during dosing. This prevents the food from being immediately filtered out, allowing corals to consume it. Automating this alongside dosing adds complexity. While advanced aquarium controllers like Apex could manage this entire sequence, setting it up might seem like considerable effort for what some might perceive as a marginal improvement.
In my own journey with automating Red Sea supplements, I initially used an Arka doser, attracted by its integrated stirrer for keeping solutions mixed. Unfortunately, it proved unreliable, being excessively noisy and prone to leaking. I switched to a Kamoer doser, which has been a more dependable alternative. For those prioritizing a stirrer function, the Pacific Sun Kore doser with a separate stirrer could be worth considering as a robust option.
While my personal experience with automated Reef Energy dosing has been mixed, I’ve heard from other reef keepers who successfully automate it without issues. My hesitation stems more from the perceived minimal return compared to the effort, and ensuring correct delivery rather than the technical feasibility of dosing itself. I am interested to see the approaches and outcomes of others who fully automate their Red Sea care program, particularly the Reef Energy component.
On a lighter note, reflecting on past DIY inclinations, I recently discarded a small USB fridge, the size of a drinks can. In hindsight, it could have been repurposed to keep Reef Energy bottles cool, potentially extending their shelf life and maintaining freshness! A missed opportunity for a resourceful reefing DIY project.
My current focus is also on reassessing the necessity of Red Sea Coral Colors supplements when using Coral Pro salt. Having used Coral Pro salt and stopped dosing Coral Colors to address a minor algae issue, my initial tests suggest trace element levels remain within acceptable ranges. To confirm this comprehensively, I’ve sent a water sample for Triton ICP testing. The results will clarify whether Coral Pro salt alone provides sufficient trace elements for my system, potentially simplifying my Red Sea care program further. I will share these findings in my reef journal. If Coral Pro proves sufficient, it would certainly streamline my supplementation routine.
Finally, a crucial tip learned from experience regarding dosing systems, particularly for NoPox (or similar carbon dosing solutions): always limit the reservoir volume in your dosing container. A past doser malfunction led to an accidental 280ml overdose of NoPox into my tank – a stressful event! Now, I strictly maintain only a one-week supply (around 50ml in my case) in the NoPox dosing container as a safety measure. Minimizing резервуар volumes for critical supplements is a simple precaution that can prevent potentially serious issues from dosing errors.
