recommendations for supplimentation

zdawgnight · 04/21/2007, 06:00 PM

I was wondering what you all would recommend as supplements for a 24 gallon reef tank. I have a mix of softies and lps i was thinking some type of all in one deal. Can you guys hook me up with some info about some?

drummereef · 04/21/2007, 06:22 PM

Nothing other than water changes and a method for keeping up with alkalinity and calcium demands for me. I use Randy's diy 2-part for my system. Works great and is dirt cheap to make.

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

PogoMonogo · 04/21/2007, 07:26 PM

Having worked at a fish store for 3 years, I can tell you there are about 100,000 supplements you can add. In my experience 99% are either A) more trouble than they are worth (potentially dangerous to the tank) or B) simply a placebo. Getting in the supplement dosing game tends to lead to a lot of chemicals in the tank getting out of whack. The "dose once a week" or whatever is just not accurate, and peoples tank are usually unique in their requirements (amounts wise). Monitoring and dosing to get an idea of what chemicals are being used up in your tank, and in what amounts, is generally beyond what most people are looking to do. I would go with what drummereef says and go with regular water changes.

zdawgnight · 04/21/2007, 09:34 PM

well then what do you guys recommend for keeping up my alkilinity?

returnofsid · 04/21/2007, 10:23 PM

Don't dose anything that you don't test for. As for what you should dose....IF testing says you should....look at Randy's 2 part recipe for Calcium, Alkalinity and Magnesium supplements. Here's a link.

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php

And here's a great Chemistry Calculator to figure out how much supplement to use...according to your test results.

http://reef.diesyst.com/

cbeitel · 04/21/2007, 11:55 PM

Good advice so far IMO.

Here is my 2 cents....

Step #1 = Buy a test kit (Nitrate, Phosphate, Calcium, Alkalinity)
Step #2 = Test over a couple days to get a true reading
Step #3 = Read Randy's articles
Step #4 = Read Randy's articles again
Step #5 = Start dosing per his recommendations, but at half strength for safety. (I learned the hard way)
Step #6 = Work up to full strength dosing

Again, the only things PROVEN to be depleted faster than what WC's can replenish are Alkalinity, Calcium and somewhat Magnesium. For me, I have a tough time keeping Alk steady. (But only because I am lazy).

There are some great store bought, 2 part additives for Alk and Ca. I just think baking soda and Calcium Chloride (pool supply store) are cheaper.

drummereef · 04/22/2007, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by zdawgnight
well then what do you guys recommend for keeping up my alkilinity?

Dosing a balanced suppliment is what you need, zdawgnight. A 2-part suppliment or kalk delivers a balanced ratio of alkalinity and calcium. Please read the articles I gave you above in my previous post. It's all there for you.

zdawgnight · 04/22/2007, 08:46 PM

thanks everyone

navipro1 · 04/23/2007, 10:51 AM

good info, thanks.

drummereef · 04/23/2007, 11:03 AM

For other great info on wate chemistry and such, click the link.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hreadid=102605

MTB · 04/23/2007, 11:36 AM

I agree with all that was typed. Randy sure did a lot of work to make things easier for us. His articles helped me out soooo much.

I only use his 2-part for calcium and alk. If I can't test for it I don't add it.

04/23/2007, 11:03 AM	#10
drummereef Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: STL Posts: 14,754	For other great info on wate chemistry and such, click the link. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hreadid=102605 __________________ -Brett 180g Marineland Starfire In-Wall 278 gallon system

04/23/2007, 11:36 AM	#11
MTB Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Illannoy Posts: 1,365	I agree with all that was typed. Randy sure did a lot of work to make things easier for us. His articles helped me out soooo much. I only use his 2-part for calcium and alk. If I can't test for it I don't add it. __________________ Got Frags? Current Tank Info: 40 breeder. Kessil lights. Reef octopus skimmer. Vortec mp40 x2.

04/21/2007, 06:00 PM	#1
zdawgnight Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 429	recommendations for supplimentation I was wondering what you all would recommend as supplements for a 24 gallon reef tank. I have a mix of softies and lps i was thinking some type of all in one deal. Can you guys hook me up with some info about some?

04/21/2007, 06:22 PM	#2
drummereef Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: STL Posts: 14,754	Nothing other than water changes and a method for keeping up with alkalinity and calcium demands for me. I use Randy's diy 2-part for my system. Works great and is dirt cheap to make. 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 __________________ -Brett 180g Marineland Starfire In-Wall 278 gallon system

04/21/2007, 07:26 PM	#3
PogoMonogo Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 582	Having worked at a fish store for 3 years, I can tell you there are about 100,000 supplements you can add. In my experience 99% are either A) more trouble than they are worth (potentially dangerous to the tank) or B) simply a placebo. Getting in the supplement dosing game tends to lead to a lot of chemicals in the tank getting out of whack. The "dose once a week" or whatever is just not accurate, and peoples tank are usually unique in their requirements (amounts wise). Monitoring and dosing to get an idea of what chemicals are being used up in your tank, and in what amounts, is generally beyond what most people are looking to do. I would go with what drummereef says and go with regular water changes.

04/21/2007, 09:34 PM	#4
zdawgnight Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 429	well then what do you guys recommend for keeping up my alkilinity?

04/21/2007, 10:23 PM	#5
returnofsid Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 3,852	Don't dose anything that you don't test for. As for what you should dose....IF testing says you should....look at Randy's 2 part recipe for Calcium, Alkalinity and Magnesium supplements. Here's a link. http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php And here's a great Chemistry Calculator to figure out how much supplement to use...according to your test results. http://reef.diesyst.com/

04/21/2007, 11:55 PM	#6
cbeitel Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: McKinney, Texas Posts: 367	Good advice so far IMO. Here is my 2 cents.... Step #1 = Buy a test kit (Nitrate, Phosphate, Calcium, Alkalinity) Step #2 = Test over a couple days to get a true reading Step #3 = Read Randy's articles Step #4 = Read Randy's articles again Step #5 = Start dosing per his recommendations, but at half strength for safety. (I learned the hard way) Step #6 = Work up to full strength dosing Again, the only things PROVEN to be depleted faster than what WC's can replenish are Alkalinity, Calcium and somewhat Magnesium. For me, I have a tough time keeping Alk steady. (But only because I am lazy). There are some great store bought, 2 part additives for Alk and Ca. I just think baking soda and Calcium Chloride (pool supply store) are cheaper. __________________ Favorite Quote from a customer at my store... "It says here these fish are best kept in schools, but can I keep them in my home?" Honest to God, someone said that. -Chip Current Tank Info: You have too many tanks, says my wife

04/22/2007, 08:46 PM	#8
zdawgnight Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 429	thanks everyone

04/23/2007, 10:51 AM	#9
navipro1 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: sac, CA Posts: 335	good info, thanks.