Beginner questions

[krschulz]

I have a 90 gallon tank which was started in Oct 2007 and has finished cycling. Although I am having fun with it, I seem to be getting varying and sometimes opposite opinions from several stores. I realize that eveything must be taken with a grain of salt as they are all opinions based on one's experiences. Specifically, I have been told 2 types of reef crystals to use, test kits one says are the best and the other says are the worst (I see no real difference), live phytoplankton vs concentrated stuff, and the use of Blackpowder or not. A couple of stores have very different views on this forum as well. Any unbiased views out there on crystals, phytoplankton sources for a clam and use of Blackpowder? Thanks.