Best Test Kit?/ Coralline Questions

Bedroomgangsta · 02/27/2011, 08:19 PM

Finally set up my 55 DT and Im still new to the coral scenario, Im mainly focusing on softies and coralline growth so im looking for a good test kit to maintain pristine water parameters. What Alkalinity/calcium/magnesium etc...should be best for coralline growth and to add to the health of my corals and current fish? I am running a quad bulb 48" T5 setup with two 10K and two actinic about 4 inches away from the water. I have two koralia 4 ph's, an eshoppspf300 OB, 1" PVC drain down to a 29gal sump with LR filtration and a Octopus1000 NW skimmer and followed by a mag 7 return pump with 3/4" return line and in-line ball valve. I have approx. 70lbs of LR and a few patches of coralline here and there that came with the rock. I didnt use RO for my cycle and I used fine and medium bags of aragonite with an approx. 1-2" sand bed. I really want this setup to eventually be a self sustaining environment with little maintenance but that all takes time. What can I do to increase growth of my corals and coralline? I currently have a colony of Zoas approx 3"x5", a green stripe mushroom, another green mushroom, a kenya tree, and a pink tip condy anemone and a few other small colonies of zoas. I hope someone has some suggestions as to what I can do and if I can improve my current setup without spending a fortune because I just spent a small fortune getting it up and running. PLEASE RESPOND!

GhostCon1 · 02/27/2011, 08:36 PM

I suggest you read this:
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php

Great read for good paramaters to keep everything at.

Michael · 02/28/2011, 01:14 AM

I use salifert for everything personally, but there are various kits available which will work, as for corraline, if you maintain calcium at a decent level and regulary change water so you replenish esential minerals etc it will grow, you could scrape some corraline off a buddies rock from their tank and sprinkle in yours to kick start it, but it should grow on it's own.

GhostCon1 · 02/28/2011, 06:20 AM

+1 to Salifert. Really good, simple to use tests.

02/27/2011, 08:19 PM	#1
Bedroomgangsta Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 337	Best Test Kit?/ Coralline Questions Finally set up my 55 DT and Im still new to the coral scenario, Im mainly focusing on softies and coralline growth so im looking for a good test kit to maintain pristine water parameters. What Alkalinity/calcium/magnesium etc...should be best for coralline growth and to add to the health of my corals and current fish? I am running a quad bulb 48" T5 setup with two 10K and two actinic about 4 inches away from the water. I have two koralia 4 ph's, an eshoppspf300 OB, 1" PVC drain down to a 29gal sump with LR filtration and a Octopus1000 NW skimmer and followed by a mag 7 return pump with 3/4" return line and in-line ball valve. I have approx. 70lbs of LR and a few patches of coralline here and there that came with the rock. I didnt use RO for my cycle and I used fine and medium bags of aragonite with an approx. 1-2" sand bed. I really want this setup to eventually be a self sustaining environment with little maintenance but that all takes time. What can I do to increase growth of my corals and coralline? I currently have a colony of Zoas approx 3"x5", a green stripe mushroom, another green mushroom, a kenya tree, and a pink tip condy anemone and a few other small colonies of zoas. I hope someone has some suggestions as to what I can do and if I can improve my current setup without spending a fortune because I just spent a small fortune getting it up and running. PLEASE RESPOND!

02/27/2011, 08:36 PM	#2
GhostCon1 Rebmem Deretsiger Join Date: May 2010 Location: Georgia Posts: 1,590	I suggest you read this: http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php Great read for good paramaters to keep everything at. __________________ In the works Current Tank Info: Getting a big'un

02/28/2011, 01:14 AM	#3
Michael NTTH Rookie Help Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gloucester, England,UK Posts: 7,808 Blog Entries: 6	I use salifert for everything personally, but there are various kits available which will work, as for corraline, if you maintain calcium at a decent level and regulary change water so you replenish esential minerals etc it will grow, you could scrape some corraline off a buddies rock from their tank and sprinkle in yours to kick start it, but it should grow on it's own. __________________ Don't be afraid to ask questions, we in the new to the hobby are here to help you [For My Tank Spec,Photo Album,Articles and website, click on my name] MY Very Kindest and Warmest Regards , MIKE Current Tank Info: I have a 92 gal Corner Tank, and way too many pieces of equipment to list really, (proud member of the reef central corner club)

02/28/2011, 06:20 AM	#4
GhostCon1 Rebmem Deretsiger Join Date: May 2010 Location: Georgia Posts: 1,590	+1 to Salifert. Really good, simple to use tests. __________________ In the works Current Tank Info: Getting a big'un

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