What are you adding to your tank?

Oilers · #1 03-19-2012, 03:26 PM

I am looking to put in an order for some additives. Right now, I am using SeaChem Reef Calcium, SeaChem Reef plus, SeaChem Mg and Sr, Kent Marine Coral Accel and Caribsea Purple-Up Accelerator. I am just wondering if there's something else I should add to the water. I have mostly LPS and zoas. However, I am looking to get into SPS once I get my lights upgraded to LED.
Is there any advantage over using the Kent Marine Calcium buffer part A & B additive compared to the SeaChem Reef Calcium I am using?

ScubaSteve · #2 03-19-2012, 03:42 PM

I do almost strictly SPS and I add nothing other than kalkwasser. Water changes (IO Salt) and carbon dosing (VSV method) help keep parameters in check. When I started I used to dose everything but, unless I could automate the dosing (two-part dosers), it actually caused more fluctuations and hassle. And if I went away for the weekend? Everything would be out of wack. Ever since I simplified to kalkwasser and an ATO life has been great and my tank has taken off.

Reef Supplies · #3 03-19-2012, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScubaSteve

I do almost strictly SPS and I add nothing other than kalkwasser. Water changes (IO Salt) and carbon dosing (VSV method) help keep parameters in check. When I started I used to dose everything but, unless I could automate the dosing (two-part dosers), it actually caused more fluctuations and hassle. And if I went away for the weekend? Everything would be out of wack. Ever since I simplified to kalkwasser and an ATO life has been great and my tank has taken off.

Agreed, another great solution. I have a small SPS tank that runs Kalk and it's doing great!

The only issue with this, for me, is you need to keep PH in check and the biggest issue is kalk can only go so far. Once you reach saturation (2 tsp per gallon of top off) you will need to supplement something else.

My 60ish gallon tank is keeping Cal/alk at 420/9 very steadily and I'm using 1 tsp per gallon of top-off.

P.S. I still have to dose MAG.

Reef Supplies · #4 03-19-2012, 03:43 PM

Everyone has a list of products that work well for them. Here are my suggestions...

1- Your SeaChem Reef Calcium is great for raising your levels. You will also need something to raise alk, have a look at Seachem reef Carbonate or Brightwell Alkalin 8.3

2- Once you get your CAL/ALK levels up to where you feel comfortable you should consider dosing a quality 2-part to keep your levels stable.

There are many DIY recipes for this but there are also great off the shelf product you can buy such as Brightwell Code A and B

3- One thing that is always overlooked in Magnesium. You need to keep mag over 1300 to maintain CAL/ALK. Brightwell has a great mag solution called Magnesion.

Id drop the purple-up. The above will get you all the coralline you need...you need Calcium to produce coralline algae.

Happy reefing
Ray

MinPhase · #5 03-19-2012, 05:02 PM

Alternatively you could try doing more frequent water changes. I supplement calcium but nothing else. Your salt should have all the inorganic components that you need so save your money.

whatcaneyedo · #6 03-19-2012, 05:11 PM

Calcium Hydroxide via reactor (in addition to a Ca Reactor)
Magnesium Chloride
Magnesium Sulfate
10% weekly water changes with mostly IO salt
and a few times a year some Sodium Bicarbonate

Flash · #7 03-19-2012, 05:12 PM

i add nothing other then prime to my top-ups! lol!

Reef Pilot · #8 03-19-2012, 05:22 PM

I dose these from Seachem.
http://www.seachem.com/Products/prod...eefBuffer.html
Keeps PH up as well.

http://www.seachem.com/Products/prod...dvCalcium.html
Adds Mg as well as Ca.

I keep my alk at around 8 KH, and Ca around 400. Mg is around 1300. Using IO salt for now.

My tanks remain very stable, and have not had to adjust my dosing for a couple months now.

fishytime · #9 03-19-2012, 11:06 PM

ah yes, but Lauries tank kills most coral

.....not sure if its the parameters or her "reef" fish.....

I on the other hand have a full blown mixed reef .....heavily sps dominant, some lps and a whack of zoas....... not 1 drop of Ca, Mg or DKH in two years(I have a profilux doser sitting on a shelf collecting dust).....tank has been on Prodibio for about three monthes and thats it........

how big is your tank David?.....I would think about getting in to the bulk chemicals if your tank is over say 100g.....this will save you a tonne of money over buying pre-mixed solutions....

daniella3d · #10 03-19-2012, 05:12 PM

I am dosing the Bulk Reef Supply 2 parts for calcium and alkalinity with a Marine Magic dosing pump. I add magnesium manually once a month or so because my tank does not consume much mag.

I add iodine (lugol) every week and Coral Vite on regular basis.

As food for corals, I use 2 drops of Zeovit amino acid and sponge power each day, and I feed Coral Frenzy, ReefRoid, Fauna marin, every day or every other day.

So nobody is starving in my tank.