what supplements would you use

[reefnut]

I am thinking of a 33 gal with a few beginner corals.im planning on around 160 watts of compact flourescents with lr and a lsb.i dont want to add too many chemicals but i want my corals to grow and be healthy.so im planning on using kalkwasser,coral accel and phyto.I only want to add one more for trace elements.So what would be the best bet for the health of my system?Is there a good"multi-vitamin"?it seems that every bottle i read list four or five others that i should be adding as well.I plan on doing around 5-7 gallon water changes every two weeks.

[Aquattro]

I would do regular water changes only. Once you've determined with test kits that your Ca is depleting, then start using kalk as your topoff.

[sumpfinfishe]

I gotta agree with Brad as usual
I have a 27gl with a 33 footprint that never had anything added to it other than new water for at least the first three years.
Water changes should replace everything that's being used up, that is until you have a half full thriving. Unless you plan on stocking it full within the first few months, stick with this advice as it's cheaper, easier, and of course healthier for you and your reef

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by sumpfinfishe

I gotta agree with Brad as usual

Is that gonna cost me another frag??

[sumpfinfishe]

Uh yeah
You know which one too!
That special Island cap of yours would do just fine

[reefnut]

well my tank presently has various star and mushroom polyps and some anthelia that are not growing at all in fact they have slowly shrunk over the last 6 months and a large condy that is doing great gettin really big.My water quality is great and my baby copperband and fire fish are doing very good.So what am i doing wrong for the polyps?All i do now is phyto, coral excel and water changes levels are good calcium is 460.

[pocilipora]

Id do regular water changes(month or two) and drip Kalkwasser on a continuous basis for all evaporated water. Wouldnt add any of the other additives besides the Phyto.

[Aquattro]

I wouldn't even add the phyto, and make sure you're doing water changes. If your water quality really was good, your stuff would grow. What is your water change schedule? You say you plan on 5-7 gallons every two weeks, but the tak is 6 months old. So what have you been doing so far? The lighting is fine for what you have, so it should be growing. Ca consumption is pretty minimal for those corals also, so I'd watch how much kalk was used. Right now the Ca is more than fine.

[Samw]

Kalk and water changes. Supplements aren't always useful. Actually, I tried some and ended up killing things. Imagine a legless fireshrimp (after molting) due to the use of Calcium Buffer (and Other Essential Elements) Blocks. I've used Iron, various Calcium additives, etc. All junk or useless.

[pocilipora]

Originally Posted by reef_raf

I wouldn't even add the phyto

I disagree Brad. Its the bottom of the food chain, everything feeds from its addition. Mind you, I do add only small amounts cause it does cause problems if you go overboard, just like anything else.