Dosing in a 2.5g? Yay, or nay?

[hahaximmaxfish]

I plan on using instant ocean salt. Will that provide enough trace elements? If not what should I add and how offten?

[lakshwadeep]

Trace elements are not something you want to specifically dose since they are by definition present in small quantities. This also means that many trace elements have uncertain effects on your tank's health; making overdosing hard to anticipate. Many "trace element" supplements have a little of everything, making it impossible to raise one element without affecting the others. These don't include more common/important elements like calcium or magnesium. Also, you should dose only what you can test for and only what is being used up by your livestock. Soft corals don't need any form of supplementation.

 

With a pico tank, it is very easy to just do large water changes (50% would only be 1.25 gallons), which would be more than enough to replenish both major and minor elements. You do have to make sure that you water change water has the same parameters (at least temperature and s.g./salinity) so it doesn't shock the tank.

 

Here's a good guide to supplementation:

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-04/rhf/index.php

[Seiryoku]

"Dosing in a 2.5g? Yay, or nay?"

 

I say, nay.