What is DSR

What is DSR

The DSR Method in short! (Be sure to explore the DSR blogs when you get started)

Characteristics:

• It is an experimental method, and use is at your own risk. (Experiments have been running since January 2012 in my personal aquarium)
• Customize your own salt to size.
• No more periodic water changes are required.
• Ability to correct skewed water values (eliminating imbalances in saltwater, such as NaCl, KH, Ca, Mg).
• Control of 12 values using known basic substances. (You know exactly what you are putting in your tank)
• The DSR Calculator calculates the dosage of all necessary substances.
• Stable values are achieved through measurement and continuous corrections.
• The method becomes more beneficial as the aquarium size increases.
• Periodic measurements provide more information about the status of your tank.
• Possibility to supplement with additional trace elements outside of the DSR components.
• You can start immediately (stop changing water, measuring, and completing the DSR procedures).
• Stop immediately (start exchanging water and discontinue DSR substances and procedures).
• In total, the DSR program includes 14 substances, of which eleven are measured.

The measured substances, test kits used, and substances for correction:

1. Salinity: D & D Ocean Refractometer (DSR Pure NaCl)
2. KH: Salifert KH (DSR Sodium Bicarbonate)
3. Calcium: Salifert Ca (DSR Calcium Chloride)
4. Magnesium: Salifert Mg (DSR Magnesium Chloride)
5. DSR Magnesium Sulphate is used only in the production of new water.
6. Potassium: Redsea ReefCare Potassium test (DSR Potassium Chloride)
7. Strontium: Salifert Sr (DSR Strontium solution)
8. Boron: Salifert Boron (DSR Boron solution)
9. Iodide: Salifert I2 (DSR Iodide solution)
10. Phosphate: Redsea Reefcare PO4 test. (DSR Phosphate solution)
11. Nitrate: Salifert NO3 (DSR Nitrate solution)
12. Iron: Sera Fe (DSR Iron solution) also acts as a phosphate reducer in DSR.
13. Nitrate reducer: (DSR Carbon – vinegar/sugar solution)
14. For healthy corals: (DSR Amino/Vitamin C solution)

So, you will need the test kits and raw materials to begin with the DSR method.

The estimated costs for maintaining an average well-running reef aquarium are between 150-250 euros per year for 500 liters (exceptions may apply). The initial purchase of the test kits is approximately 150-170 euros (some tests you may already have as a serious aquarist).

If you are interested in working with DSR, I recommend reading various DSR topics or contacting the DSR distributor. Guidance is essential at this stage, and I will continue to follow developments. Also, keep an eye on the WWW.DSRREEFING.NL forum.

A dosing device is not necessary but makes the process easier. I personally use a 4-channel dosing pump and sometimes add 2 extra channels if needed.

The latest DSR calculator can be downloaded via the forum.

You can access it here: DSR Mineral Calculator or via the DSR website: DSR Reefing.

In the calculator, you have two choices:

• Create a new batch of saltwater to size.
• Measure and correct the values by dosing with the calculated quantities.

An iron solution is utilized to lower primary phosphate; secondly, it acts as a nitrate reducer and iron spore element. A carbon source (carbon) is used in the form of vinegar or sugar to reduce nitrate.

Everything needed in the DSR method is present to manipulate the 11 values positively and negatively.

Essential minerals, trace elements, and food/waste are managed, making water changes unnecessary.

It is crucial to understand that you cannot simply stop water changes; you must balance things to maintain your values at the desired standards.

In principle, you do not need other supplements outside of these 14 substances to maintain your aquarium.

How you start with this is extensively covered in various topics based on example situations. If you cannot find your way, you can ask a question in the DSR method topic.

The DSR Method originated from the perspective of a user who does not want to pay the highest price for everything. It is my vision of how keeping a marine aquarium should be. My goal is to make marine aquariums enjoyable and affordable for everyone while elevating the hobby for a broader audience, avoiding common pitfalls.

A wealth of information can be found at:

www.dsrreefing.nl and www.zeewaterforum.info

Last modified by GlennF (developer of DSR); 18-02-14 at 22:10.