Feedback, Please. Research related!

[rickyfins]

I need feedback from all saltwater keepers. Any Saltwater tank is qualified for my research. I am wondering what hobbyists are testing in their aquarium. I am also wondering what additives and chemicals hobbyists are using.

Please post a list of tests performed, list of chemicals, additives, and a list of your maintenance routine.

Thanks

Rick

[Amphiprion]

I think (though I can't really speak for anyone else) the general consensus as far as additives go mainly pertains to Calcium and alkalinity supplements (two parts, calcium hydroxide, etc). I personally prefer CaOH and calcium acetate. I rely on water changes for any element supplementation other than calcium. I only test for salinity, calcium, and alkalinity.
Maintenance-30-40% water change every 3 months or so, clean protein skimmer 3-4 times a week, topoff with kalkwasser (CaOH) daily, sometimes with vinegar added (Ca(CH3COO)2). Feed fish 2-3 times a week, anemone 3-4 times a week. Pumps are cleaned once per month or so. This is about all I do.

[nemofish2217]

yep, only test for calc, alk, and spec. gravity... use B-Ionic two part for additives. 10% water change weekly... skimmer 24/7 and run carbon.....will soon be getting a phosban reactor..... feed about once every other day.... very simple...

[nemofish2217]

oh yes and top off with RO/DI only.... no additives added to top off water....

[rickyfins]

Thats great so far, keep it coming!

thanks,

Rick

[LobsterOfJustice]

I test mostly for Ca and Alk, occasionally for phosphate, nitrate, and magnesium. I am topping off with kalk and have a Ca reactor.

[rickyfins]

Could you elaborate a little more on your routine. Do you dose anything other than alk reactor(really it is) and kalk?

thanks,

Rick

[donfishy76]

i do routine water changes, all the time! I dont test my water, and if there is ever a problem, first thign I do is a water change of about 25%.

I add kalkwasser every so often, but other than that, nothing.

I just sit back and watch my happy fish and corals.

[reefD]

with an established tank i only test ph. once things are right you have to just control your habits and keep doing the same. not toomuch attention not to little. i dose calcium and buffer.\iodine weekly and buffer every two weeks

[SaltyNewb]

20% water change every 3-4 weeks

siphon very top layer of crap on sand or stir it a tad

test for calcium and alkalinity and salinity,watch temperature, I use b-ionic for ca/alk

dose zooplankton and phytoplankton that's it

[Anemonebuff]

Change 18 gallons every 3 months or so.

feed fish 5 days a week

anemone 2-3 times a week

Dose kalkwasser

Test SG every week or two

Test ph/alk/Ca every so often

Skimmer cup cleaned every 48-72 hours depending on skimmate produced

Change halides and flourescents every year

clean pump strainers every month and the impellers every 3-6 months

[rickyfins]

thanks for all the info, still need lots more for computation and research, keep it coming!

thanks,

Rick

[rickyfins]

BUMP

[rickyfins]

***bump***

[rickyfins]

I am still in need of data for analysis. Can I get some more volunteers? Please input data as it will only take you a second, I will post my findings when analysis is done. I will post percentage ratios for each category, and my findings.

Thanks,

Rick

[Queenie]

Fish only 55 gal., eleven year old tank, crushed coral substrate. I use the quick test stick every week (not as specific). I test for nitrates, nitrites, and ammonia every 2-3 weeks. Feed once per day, sometimes twice. no additives or chemicals except when sick then I use copper. I tested for copper since one year ago, copper free. I use distilled water when making water changes and then I test the salinity. Temp is at 75degrees.

[New Reefer]

I check pH continuously (by looking at the pH controller whenever I'm close to the tank...), alkalinity every 2 weeks, and calcium every month or two.

Only check other parameters when I suspect that something is wrong - and have not done it for the last year or so

I run a Ca reactor and drip Kalk - no other additives, except FOOD...

Hennie

[IslandCrow]

On a regular basis, I test salinity (if you can call that a test), ammonia, nitrites, PH, nitrates and phosphates. I'm most concerned with the first three for the immediate welfare of my tank, and the last two mostly to guage whether or not I'm getting too many nutrients into my tank. On occasion, I'll test Alkalinity. Since I don't dose with any calcium suppliments, I check it mainly against my PH to make sure my CO2 levels aren't getting high on me. I'm starting to keep LPS corals, so I'll probably start dosing with kalk sometime in the near future, and I'll be checking my calcium levels then.
As my tank matures, I think I'll be less concerned about checking my water parameters. First, because they should naturally be very stable as long as I don't change anything. Second, because any time I've had one of my parameters off, there has been something else (algae problems, corals not looking happy, etc.) to tip me off that there's a problem.

[LobsterOfJustice]

Originally posted by rickyfins
Could you elaborate a little more on your routine. Do you dose anything other than alk reactor(really it is) and kalk?

thanks,

Rick

I do a water change of 5-15 gallonsevery week or too (not a specific schedule) on my 75 gallon. Righht now I am only using kalk and my ca reactor, but I am just getting my reactor tuned in so I may end up dosing the other things (or more likely stopping kalk). All in all, the only things I would add would be for Ca, Alk, and Mg, but hopefully water changes and the reactor will keep them all in check.

[rickyfins]

Wonderful information everyone. I need a lot more just like that. This is great data. Thanks again and keep on posting.

thanks,

rick

[74nautique]

I add Kent Tech C-B once a week for Cal & Alk use R/O make up water, do 10% water changes with Reef Crystals and Kent Magnesium every couple of weeks. I change pad filter every couple of days, clean skimmer every week, I also run carbon & Phosban in a cartridge filter and change that filter and replace carbon & Phosban about every 6-weeks. I check Cal, Alk, Mag, PO4 about once a month.

[marcel leroux]

Dose B-Ionic daily. 25% water change every two weeks add three drops of Lugols at this time. Test water when i feel something is wrong.

[rickyfins]

What do you test for? Please be as detailed as possible.

thanks,

Rick

[New Reefer]

Originally posted by rickyfins
I will post my findings when analysis is done. I will post percentage ratios for each category, and my findings.

So, where is the feedback you promised

[catdoc]

I test:
pH, alkalinity, specific gravity (refractometer), calcium, nitrite, nitrate, ammonia (yes, even my cycled tanks), sometimes will test dissolved oxygen and magnesium.

Additives:
Randy's 3-part, kalk

Maintenance routine:
manual top-off with rodi once or twice a day.
30 gal water change every 2 to 3 weeks