Chemicals for new tank

[DonW]

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

You just have to drip the last few drops slowly. When you start getting close to 2 on the syringe start going real slow. 2 is 1250 if I remember right.

Don

 

[shallowreef]

I wish they just had an easier to read test kit. There is a LFS near me that can test my water for mg so if worse comes to worse i will just go see them and have them test it.

 

[Meche]

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.

I think IO means instant ocean? I am using Reef Crystals, which says it has that extra stuff in it. Will this be enough, keeping in mind the regular waterchanges to replenish lost (used) minerals?

 

[Boomer]

Normally RC is a litte higher than NSW so there should be no dosing. However, it is best to test each bag of salt to be safe, i.e., pH, Alk, Mg++, Ca++, so you know where you are at before you dumnp it in the tank or do WC

If ones Mg++ levels are where they are suppose to be and you are just sup'ing or slighjtly low I would prefer one uses a balanced addtive like ESV B-Ionic Magnesium or one of Randy's two-parts Mg++

 

[Meche]

Normally RC is a litte higher than NSW so there should be no dosing.

Im dumb. higher in what? pH? or Mg/Ca levels? and dosing of what; kalk or Mg/Ca?

 

[Scooterman]

I think it could be higher in any one of these maybe, that is why he would recommend you testing your make-up water before dumping it into the tank. Usually if your close I wouldn't touch it. It is difficult to get it right on the money , also your keeping fish only so I wouldn't stress too much on trying to get it perfect but in time you will want to keep & test your levels regularly & adjust as Boomer is saying, more so when you do decide to keep corals, It will be beneficial in the long run to learn this now as your getting started.
OK I may be corrected LOL but my thoughts as an opinion.

 

[Boomer]

Higher in Mg/Ca levels

 

[shallowreef]

Okay so if i were to add ESV Mg do i drip that in with kalk or do i just add it all at once to the sump?

 

[DonW]

Test your Mg. I split the required dose over 3 days if its more than 200ml.

Don

 

[shallowreef]

If not????

 

[DonW]

If not????

Dump it in a High flow area.

Don

 

[shallowreef]

An overflow should be fine then right?

 

[DonW]

An overflow should be fine then right?

Sure, you probably can get away with dimping even more but 200ml is the point just below where it clouds my tank.

Don