Chemicals for new tank

[Meche]

Ok, right now I have FO in a 55gal. I'm working on LR and a cleaner crew now. Eventually I plan to keep anemonies and corals but I don't need anything for them yet. I'm putting in an online order for lights which bumps me into the free shipping category so I want to take advantage. (I like to support LFS but mark up on chems seems to be too much)

My question to all of you is, what chemicals or other addatives (anything that comes in a bottle) will I need that I can get now? Also any recomendations on good/good enough test kits? I have a feeling 5-in-1 test strips won't cut it for too much longer.:doubt:

I currently have:

- Seachem Alk buffer *unopened* (should I have acid buffer too?)
- AP Stress Coat (I herd seachem prime is better but I have a whole gallon, can I still use it?)
- AP Stress Zyme (just used for startup)
- AP test for Ammonia (are these any good?)
- Reef Crystals salt mix

With just fish, LR, snails/crabs do I need to test for Alkalinity?

Thanks guys,
-Brett

 

[Scooterman]

You will find in time that you should add nothing but your salt mix & if keeping corals you would supplement your calcium. I would recommend never add anything to a reef tank or a FO tank except LR & a good skimmer. Saliflert makes one of the most reasonably priced test kits & are as accurate you will need. I'd test for Nitrite, Nitrate, PH & ammonia, once your tank has cycled over 5 to 6 weeks you should be able to read "0" on your ammonia, nitrite & nitrate. Now with that said, I would set-up a QT with light, a few rocks circulation & a heater. I would QT all fish going into your tank, this would save you a big headache later if you have any problems. If you look for Steve-s forum you should find more information on keeping a QT & keeping fish, also he can help you with your choices for compatibility & requirements.
Also I hope your using RO/DI water, this would also be a requirement unless you have very good tap water.

 

[Meche]

Are AP tests good enough too?

I really like the reef crystals, it has kept pH very stable so far. I setup using tap/stresscoat but I've only used distilled since.

Thanks for you assistance.

 

[Scooterman]

Distilled is very good water It can get a little pricey compared to a RO/RI unit over the long term. Setting up with tap & stresscoat sounds like a fresh water set-up LOL, If you don't have a good skimmer & suggest getting one, that should also require a little research before purchasing. The AP kits are ok but If you need more I'd highly recommend the Saliflert test kits. Eventually you will want to pay closer attention to you salinity also when you do decide to move up to corals, in most cases a salinity of 35ppt is recommended, that information can also come later.

 

[Meche]

Setting up with tap & stresscoat sounds like a fresh water set-up LOL

you cannot imagine how close I was to setting up a FW with Bala Sharks and Gouramis. :lol: That was untill I got called out by my friends with a reef and a grouper/trigger/tang tank.

A refractometer is already in the shoping cart. As for skimmers, I refuse to spend $300 on plastic pieces/parts (although octos are attractive). I'm working on a design of my own, should be ready along with a 20gal AGA converted into a sump.

 

[Boomer]

Scott you forgot somethings

Meche

You are going to have to add some other things besides just Calcium, such as Magnesium if needed and for sure a buffer to keep the Alk in check. You may also have low pH problems which means we may need to do something for pH like driping Kalk.

 

[Scooterman]

Scott you forgot somethings

Meche

You are going to have to add some other things besides just Calcium, such as Magnesium if needed and for sure a buffer to keep the Alk in check. You may also have low pH problems which means we may need to do something for pH like driping Kalk.

Wouldn't that only be if he was setting up for a reef & not a FO?

 

[DonW]

Wouldn't that only be if he was setting up for a reef & not a FO?

Even with a fish only I'd try to keep things close. I'd still want decent coraline and it helps keep ph in line.

Don

 

[Scooterman]

Even with a fish only I'd try to keep things close. I'd still want decent coraline and it helps keep ph in line.

Don

Yea that makes perfectly good sense, forgot all about the LR!

 

[My2heartboys]

Even with a fish only I'd try to keep things close. I'd still want decent coraline and it helps keep ph in line.

Don

Don, I very slowly drip kalk all of the time as I find it helps the output of my skimmer--along with good mag levels.

Anne

 

[Meche]

You are going to have to add some other things besides just Calcium, such as Magnesium if needed and for sure a buffer to keep the Alk in check. You may also have low pH problems which means we may need to do something for pH like driping Kalk.

OK, so I need Ca and Mg supplements. Maybe something like Seachem Reef Complete reef complete

That will work in combo with Seachem Alkaline Buffer to take care of all the mentioned issues, correct?

I'm trying to avoid kalkwasser expence right now. Really just looking for a solution (cheap and easy) that will work well enough untill I get corals and inverts other than hitchikers and a cleaner crew.

 

[Scooterman]

I'm trying to avoid kalkwasser expence right now. Really just looking for a solution (cheap and easy) that will work well enough untill I get corals and inverts other than hitchikers and a cleaner crew.

Actually you can set this up rather cheap, I used a 2.5gallon tank & mixed it in there & used a dropper from Kent Marine to drip a slow drip, down fall you need to keep making more.

 

[DonW]

One thing to keep in mind if your just worried about keeping parameters in check is the salt mix. If your using IO your ca may be just a little low (ca additive), Mg will be low (mg additive) a little baking soda for the rare chance that youll need to add alk. Thats all I would worry about having on hand, no all in one stuff like reef complete. Krish has a good example of a FO tank that looks real nice due to him keeping it clean and balanced.

Don

 

[shallowreef]

Dripping kalk should get all of his levels in place no?

 

[DonW]

Dripping kalk should get all of his levels in place no?

No. Kalk is balanced and does nothing for Mg. Salt mix is not balanced.

Don

 

[shallowreef]

So what do you use to dose/add Magnesium?

 

[DonW]

So what do you use to dose/add Magnesium?

Personally I use Kent Tech M or Warner marine along with mag granuals in the ca reactor.

Don

 

[shallowreef]

Okay but for someone like myself who does not have a ca Reactor what would you suggest. I have a bottle of E.S.V. Mg that i bought a while ago but never used it because i could never get an accurate reading from my salifert test kit. (in other words i couldn't figure out the test kit or see the color change)

 

[DonW]

Okay but for someone like myself who does not have a ca Reactor what would you suggest. I have a bottle of E.S.V. Mg that i bought a while ago but never used it because i could never get an accurate reading from my salifert test kit. (in other words i couldn't figure out the test kit or see the color change)

I'm sure esv is fine. Try taking your test kit outside in the day light and hold it against something white. I cant see mine change in my kitchen or any where near the tank with the lights on.

Don

 

[shallowreef]

I will have to try that before i throw it against the wall.