SeattlesDarko
REEFER...
So I was at the LFS today and I found myself picking up bottle after bottle thinking that would be good. I can see how you could wind up getting one of everything, what do you use and why???
Additives why and what?
- Thread starter SeattlesDarko
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ErikAnderson
Well-known member
First, and most important.
If you have the desire to watch things in your tank grow for years and years, you can't rely on luck. Some day your number will come up, and that will be it for your system. I know this because i rolled like this for 4 years.
Now i am a changed man.
What this means: on the back of many bottles there is a "beginner" area that pretty much will say something like "lol add one cap (approx.. wtf do you care, you are just throwing junk in your tank) pre 25 gal"
SO, never add chemicals that you don't test for.
i add:
seachem reef builder alkalinity buffer
aquavitro calcium
kent tech M magnesium supplement
seachem Prime (old habit, dies hard, i consider it jesus juice, whatever)
i test for:
magnesium
ca
nitrate/ite
amonia
phos
alk
I go to canada to pick up most of my chemicals. I am looking at the label of my tech M right now, 7.99 (ca) for a 16 oz bottle, and 12.99 for my 11.8 oz bottle of Calcium.
Depending on what you want to grow, how fast you want it to grow, and how healthy you want it to be in the long run.. you should be closely monitoring your alk, ca, and mag for sure.
in closing. This is not from some guy who has done everything right from the start and has to throw out 5lbs of sps frags a month because his system is rocking so hard. I got sick of pulling out 40 dollar skeletons and only growing mushrooms.
Oh, from day one with your reef, build a log book for testing, and a log book that you write in every time you stick your hand in the tank. Include details. Then set up a testing schedule (i am on every three days, mostly because i am borderline fish tank ocd and find testing to be fun) and stick to it. Your tests, if ran frequently enough will tell you that your tank is planning on taking a nose dive long before your lose that super cool blue acropora.
good luck, and again, if there is one thing i have learned, reef tanks are not for casual players. Dedication, and diligence makes it happen (or just lots and lots of throw away money). I wish i was you, asking these questions back in 2003
If you have the desire to watch things in your tank grow for years and years, you can't rely on luck. Some day your number will come up, and that will be it for your system. I know this because i rolled like this for 4 years.
Now i am a changed man.
What this means: on the back of many bottles there is a "beginner" area that pretty much will say something like "lol add one cap (approx.. wtf do you care, you are just throwing junk in your tank) pre 25 gal"
SO, never add chemicals that you don't test for.
i add:
seachem reef builder alkalinity buffer
aquavitro calcium
kent tech M magnesium supplement
seachem Prime (old habit, dies hard, i consider it jesus juice, whatever)
i test for:
magnesium
ca
nitrate/ite
amonia
phos
alk
I go to canada to pick up most of my chemicals. I am looking at the label of my tech M right now, 7.99 (ca) for a 16 oz bottle, and 12.99 for my 11.8 oz bottle of Calcium.
Depending on what you want to grow, how fast you want it to grow, and how healthy you want it to be in the long run.. you should be closely monitoring your alk, ca, and mag for sure.
in closing. This is not from some guy who has done everything right from the start and has to throw out 5lbs of sps frags a month because his system is rocking so hard. I got sick of pulling out 40 dollar skeletons and only growing mushrooms.
Oh, from day one with your reef, build a log book for testing, and a log book that you write in every time you stick your hand in the tank. Include details. Then set up a testing schedule (i am on every three days, mostly because i am borderline fish tank ocd and find testing to be fun) and stick to it. Your tests, if ran frequently enough will tell you that your tank is planning on taking a nose dive long before your lose that super cool blue acropora.
good luck, and again, if there is one thing i have learned, reef tanks are not for casual players. Dedication, and diligence makes it happen (or just lots and lots of throw away money). I wish i was you, asking these questions back in 2003
surf_buddy
Well-known member
Hey I'm in Magnolia too! If you are interested in meeting up sometime and seeing what I add I'd be happy to show you in person.
charlesr1958
DiveMaster
Agreed, the only supplementation needed is calcium, magnesium, carbonates (alkalinity) and of course, food. It drives me nuts when bottles of what ever are labeled "essential elements" when they have no proof that such things actualy are essential. Put the bottles back on the shelf and walk away slowly...lol
Chuck
Chuck
I also agree with Don't dose ANYTHING you aren't testing for. Also agree that the only supplemental elements you need to be dosing, ONLY IF YOU'RE TESTING FOR THEM, is Calcium, Alkalinity and Magnesium. Depending on your corals, and their dependency on these supplements, normal water changes might be enough to replace these elements, without any dosing needed.
Oh one other thing I'd suggest learning about and dosing. Kalkwasser.
Oh one other thing I'd suggest learning about and dosing. Kalkwasser.
gas4544
Montipora Keeper
I agree with the others regarding supplements. Stick with the basics by maintaining calcium, alkilinity and magnesium and you will be okay. Buy some test kits - Salifert is a decent brand - and keep a tank log. Regular water changes will take care of replenishng trace elements.
And no matter how great some supplements sound, especially anything made by Mark Weiss, ask us here about it before buying something that sounds too good to be true.
Gary
And no matter how great some supplements sound, especially anything made by Mark Weiss, ask us here about it before buying something that sounds too good to be true.
Gary
SeattlesDarko
REEFER...
Thanks for all of your help everyone!
SOrry I didnt say why...
I use C-balance because it covers all my bases... Calc alk and trace elements and I can use it daily. Its a product with great reviews and I've not found anyone to say its not a good product at all.
I use C-balance because it covers all my bases... Calc alk and trace elements and I can use it daily. Its a product with great reviews and I've not found anyone to say its not a good product at all.
gotfish
Well-known member
Not to hijack this for my own purposes, this may also be helpful to the OP. What about using something like this http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/Two-Part-Kits/c52/p268/Two-Part-Starter-Kit/product_info.html Currently I use C-balance just like you warforged. That's on a 29g biocube with just softies and I'm gonna be upgrading to a 75 with lps and some sps so I was thinking I may have to start dosing parts separately.
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