Which Supplements/Additives?

MechEng99 · 04/06/2007, 08:30 PM

So, after stupidly buying what my LFS recommended, what do you guys (and ladies) recommend as far as supplements/calcium/additives (brands)...and what all do I need to keep everything beautiful and happy?

I have a 40g softie/LPS tank.

Thanks!!!!

P.S....Just b/c I'm asking this doesn't mean I'm not giving my corals the calcium,etc. I'm just more curious as to which brands are better...and which additives are *really* needed.

costa13 · 04/06/2007, 08:39 PM

First of all only add additives after you have tested you water to make sure you need them. Also the only supplements I use are the ones that I need to keep my parameters perfect (ex. calcium, alkalinity), I do n't use any of those other miracle chemicals out there.

MechEng99 · 04/06/2007, 08:54 PM

Thank you, but yes, I know this...my corals have been growing well now for 4 months. What I was asking was what brands experienced reefers have been using/if any additives worked (ie B-Ionic, Purple-Up, Kent Nano-reef, Coral Accel, etc.)

drummereef · 04/06/2007, 08:56 PM

I also have a 40 gallon mixed reef, softies, lps, and sps. I would start with a barrage of Salifert testkits if you don't already have them. I would get Alkalinity, Calcium, Magnesium, Nitrate, and Phosphate to start. A pH test would be good too. I monitor mine with my Aquacontroller.

As for suppliments. You most likely will need to keep up with alk and calcium since you are introducing LPS into the system. They will take up a fair amount as their coral skeleton grows. I dose Randy's homemade 2-part suppliment, which is basically baking soda for alkalinity (part 1) and calcium chloride for the calcium (part 2). There are commercial products available, but this is easy and much cheaper in the long run. It costs me less than $20 per year to suppliment this stuff.

Other than that, I dose nothing else. With weekly water changes there is no need to dose essential elements and the like. Just fancy marketing.

Please read the following for more info about the subject:

Reef Aquarium Water Parameters
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.htm

How to Select a Calcium and Alkalinity Supplementation Scheme
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm

An Improved Do-it-Yourself Two-Part Calcium and Alkalinity Supplement System
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php

And, use this calculator always when dosing either and alkalinity, calcium, or magnesium suppliment:

Reef chemicals calculator
http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html

Manuel Martinez · 04/06/2007, 09:05 PM

-Kalkawasser
-Iodine
-Strontium
Personally I use Secheam
-Lugol, Kent.

KAKLANGLEY · 04/06/2007, 09:15 PM

I use reef crystals salt mix and oceans blend 2-part calc and alk. With the Reef crystal I find that I dont dose but a pill cup of OB once a week and all Mmy inhabitants are happy including various LPS and a 5" crocea clam.

All tanks will differ do to an array of things so definatley get water test kits for alk calcium with a good salt mix your trace elements should do just fine, once in whiile if possible you make take your water to LFS and have them check your mag, stron, and other miscellaneous.

I will recommend Oceans blend and B-oinic's 2-part system.

04/06/2007, 08:30 PM	#1
MechEng99 aka Reef'd Up Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,311	Which Supplements/Additives? So, after stupidly buying what my LFS recommended, what do you guys (and ladies) recommend as far as supplements/calcium/additives (brands)...and what all do I need to keep everything beautiful and happy? I have a 40g softie/LPS tank. Thanks!!!! P.S....Just b/c I'm asking this doesn't mean I'm not giving my corals the calcium,etc. I'm just more curious as to which brands are better...and which additives are really needed.

04/06/2007, 08:39 PM	#2
costa13 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Mobile, Alabama Posts: 250	First of all only add additives after you have tested you water to make sure you need them. Also the only supplements I use are the ones that I need to keep my parameters perfect (ex. calcium, alkalinity), I do n't use any of those other miracle chemicals out there. __________________ GLORY! GLORY! Man United Click the Red House. Current Tank Info: 20T soon to be 150

04/06/2007, 08:54 PM	#3
MechEng99 aka Reef'd Up Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,311	Thank you, but yes, I know this...my corals have been growing well now for 4 months. What I was asking was what brands experienced reefers have been using/if any additives worked (ie B-Ionic, Purple-Up, Kent Nano-reef, Coral Accel, etc.) __________________ See my homepage for more information on rescuing coral! PADI Advanced Open Water Diver Systems: 200g SPS-dominant, 75g Rescue, 30g QT, & 10g QT

04/06/2007, 08:56 PM	#4
drummereef Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: STL Posts: 14,754	I also have a 40 gallon mixed reef, softies, lps, and sps. I would start with a barrage of Salifert testkits if you don't already have them. I would get Alkalinity, Calcium, Magnesium, Nitrate, and Phosphate to start. A pH test would be good too. I monitor mine with my Aquacontroller. As for suppliments. You most likely will need to keep up with alk and calcium since you are introducing LPS into the system. They will take up a fair amount as their coral skeleton grows. I dose Randy's homemade 2-part suppliment, which is basically baking soda for alkalinity (part 1) and calcium chloride for the calcium (part 2). There are commercial products available, but this is easy and much cheaper in the long run. It costs me less than $20 per year to suppliment this stuff. Other than that, I dose nothing else. With weekly water changes there is no need to dose essential elements and the like. Just fancy marketing. Please read the following for more info about the subject: Reef Aquarium Water Parameters http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.htm How to Select a Calcium and Alkalinity Supplementation Scheme http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm An Improved Do-it-Yourself Two-Part Calcium and Alkalinity Supplement System http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php And, use this calculator always when dosing either and alkalinity, calcium, or magnesium suppliment: Reef chemicals calculator http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html __________________ -Brett 180g Marineland Starfire In-Wall 278 gallon system

04/06/2007, 09:15 PM	#6
KAKLANGLEY Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nashville, NC Posts: 165	I use reef crystals salt mix and oceans blend 2-part calc and alk. With the Reef crystal I find that I dont dose but a pill cup of OB once a week and all Mmy inhabitants are happy including various LPS and a 5" crocea clam. All tanks will differ do to an array of things so definatley get water test kits for alk calcium with a good salt mix your trace elements should do just fine, once in whiile if possible you make take your water to LFS and have them check your mag, stron, and other miscellaneous. I will recommend Oceans blend and B-oinic's 2-part system. __________________ 92RR Corner, 2- Hydra 26HD, Ruby 30, 2- MP40, BM Crv5 Neptune Apex HIT EM WITH THE HEIN

04/06/2007, 09:05 PM	#5
Manuel Martinez Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Dominican Republic Posts: 214	-Kalkawasser -Iodine -Strontium Personally I use Secheam -Lugol, Kent.