What chemicals to add? Newbie!

Reefer08 · 04/17/2008, 12:51 AM

I have a 40 gallon tank that has some soft corals and lps such as torch, hammer head, lobo, chalice, pearl bubble coral, frogspawn and also 3 frags of acropora and one birds nest.

My question is what should I be adding to my tank to feed and maintain all of these corals? Currently im only adding KENT's Phytoplex every other day and I wanted to know if I should be adding anything else? I use liquid reactor by Kent also to raise calcium and alkalinity.

I currently do a 15% water change 2x a month every 1st and 15th. Is a 25% water change 2x a month better?

Can you guys help me out, ive only been in this hobby for 2 months now thanks.

kau_cinta_ku · 04/17/2008, 04:37 AM

as for chemicals to add, a good rule to follow is don't add anything your not testing for. adding stuff your not testing for and you can overdose and create bigger problems. the main things you may need to add are alk, mag, and cal. but again test first before adding to make sure you know how much you need.

IslandCrow · 04/17/2008, 06:08 AM

What Sam said. You definitely picked a few tough corals for a newbie. Get a quality Alkalinity, Calcium and Magnesium test kit (Salifert is a good brand). Then, go to the Reef Chemistry forum, check the Reef Chemistry Articles (or something like that) sticky and read everything you find having anything to do with the above listed parameters. You have a few options on maintining proper levels to keep these corals healthy, so you'll want to be well informed. I'd just stay away from those all-in-one supplements. Most of them probably aren't all that bad for your tank, but they're generally of little to no benefit either.

LobsterOfJustice · 04/17/2008, 08:26 AM

I would forget about the phytoplex. Then keep on top of alkalinity, calcium, and magnesium in that order. By keep on top of I mean test, then dose to get it where you want it to be, then establish a regular dosing schedule to maintain levels.

Randy Holmes-Farley · 04/17/2008, 08:31 AM

I discuss what chemical additive I recommend here:

The â€œHow Toâ€ Guide to Reef Aquarium Chemistry for Beginners, Part 2: What Chemicals Must be Supplemented
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-04/rhf/index.php

04/17/2008, 12:51 AM	#1
Reefer08 Moved On Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 2,812	What chemicals to add? Newbie! I have a 40 gallon tank that has some soft corals and lps such as torch, hammer head, lobo, chalice, pearl bubble coral, frogspawn and also 3 frags of acropora and one birds nest. My question is what should I be adding to my tank to feed and maintain all of these corals? Currently im only adding KENT's Phytoplex every other day and I wanted to know if I should be adding anything else? I use liquid reactor by Kent also to raise calcium and alkalinity. I currently do a 15% water change 2x a month every 1st and 15th. Is a 25% water change 2x a month better? Can you guys help me out, ive only been in this hobby for 2 months now thanks.

04/17/2008, 06:08 AM	#3
IslandCrow Reef Monkey Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Rockledge, Fl Posts: 5,759	What Sam said. You definitely picked a few tough corals for a newbie. Get a quality Alkalinity, Calcium and Magnesium test kit (Salifert is a good brand). Then, go to the Reef Chemistry forum, check the Reef Chemistry Articles (or something like that) sticky and read everything you find having anything to do with the above listed parameters. You have a few options on maintining proper levels to keep these corals healthy, so you'll want to be well informed. I'd just stay away from those all-in-one supplements. Most of them probably aren't all that bad for your tank, but they're generally of little to no benefit either. __________________ All opinions in the above message should be taken with 35 ppt salt. -Mike C. Current Tank Info: I have a reef screen saver on my phone, does that count?

04/17/2008, 08:26 AM	#4
LobsterOfJustice Recovering Detritophobe Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 7,443	I would forget about the phytoplex. Then keep on top of alkalinity, calcium, and magnesium in that order. By keep on top of I mean test, then dose to get it where you want it to be, then establish a regular dosing schedule to maintain levels. __________________ If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right. I remember when zoanthids were called things like "green" and "orange" and not "reverse gorilla nipple." Current Tank Info: 180g reef with all the bells and whistles

04/17/2008, 08:31 AM	#5
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	I discuss what chemical additive I recommend here: The â€œHow Toâ€ Guide to Reef Aquarium Chemistry for Beginners, Part 2: What Chemicals Must be Supplemented http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-04/rhf/index.php __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

04/17/2008, 04:37 AM	#2
kau_cinta_ku Moved On Join Date: May 2005 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 8,669	as for chemicals to add, a good rule to follow is don't add anything your not testing for. adding stuff your not testing for and you can overdose and create bigger problems. the main things you may need to add are alk, mag, and cal. but again test first before adding to make sure you know how much you need.