What suppliments do you dose your tank with

[Red Rose Ramble]

HI Guys

What suppliments should I be using to keep my reef healthy......?

[Amphiprion]

For the most part, you should really only require a balanced calcium and alkalinity supplement, such as kalkwasser, a two part solution, etc. Magnesium may also have to be added occasionally, depending upon how much is utilized. In any case, you should have test kits to monitor whatever you add--use that as a rule of thumb. As for any other elements, I don't recommend that you add them--rely on water changes to replace (or, more appropriately, IME, DILUTE) trace elements and other compounds.

[Amphiprion]

For the most part, you should really only require a balanced calcium and alkalinity supplement, such as kalkwasser, a two part solution, etc. Magnesium may also have to be added occasionally, depending upon how much is utilized. In any case, you should have test kits to monitor whatever you add--use that as a rule of thumb. As for any other elements, I don't recommend that you add them--rely on water changes to replace (or, more appropriately, IME, DILUTE) trace elements and other compounds.

[Red Rose Ramble]

So if I dose Kalkwasser will I need to dose anything else as well ?

When I mix my kalkwasser I usually let it settle for 24 hours and then drip the clear solution into the tank is this correct...?

[Amphiprion]

Hmm, never knew I double posted--sorry. Anyway, if you perform regular water changes, then that is all you should have to add. That is correct.

[Puffdragon]

Might also add Iodine if you don't do regular water changes

[glbtrottr]

How many people dose iodine ?

[kevin2000]

Originally posted by Red Rose Ramble
So if I dose Kalkwasser will I need to dose anything else as well ?

Its a good idea to obtain a two part additive (calcium & alkalinity) even if your using Kalkwasser. That's because Kalkwasser is a "balanced" additive and great at maintaining a previously balanced tank .. but not so great at achieving the initial balance. Achieving the initial balance may require either adding either calcium or alkalinity depending on your particular tank.

Kalkwasser is considered "balanced" because it has the approximate ratio of calcium and alkalinity that hard corals consume for growth .. once you determine the calcium/alk demand of your tank you add the appropriate amt. of Kalk to meet that demand.

I suspect the normal progression for many reefers is to start off with nothing other than water changes supplemented by using a two part additive. As the tank progresses and the calcium demands grow the cost of using two part additives gets prohibitive and reefers switch to Kalkwasser .. at some point in time Kalkwasser may not be sufficient and they start to consider calcium reactors etc ... can be an expensive hobby.

Here's a nice article that discusses recommended water parameters .. has some nice internal links to separate articles which discuss individual items like calcium, alk, etc.

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php

Heres a link to a chemistry calculator .. will help you determine how much calcium, alkalinity, or magnesium supplement you may need based on water volume. Make sure you use actual water volume vs your tank size.

http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html

Hope this helps.

[UH_OH_5_OH]

I use Ecosystem Calcium Additive....is this sufficient or do I need to add Kalkwasser as well......? Is this in fact the same thing...?

[Amphiprion]

Originally posted by kevin2000
Its a good idea to obtain a two part additive (calcium & alkalinity) even if your using Kalkwasser. That's because Kalkwasser is a "balanced" additive and great at maintaining a previously balanced tank .. but not so great at achieving the initial balance. Achieving the initial balance may require either adding either calcium or alkalinity depending on your particular tank.

Kalkwasser is considered "balanced" because it has the approximate ratio of calcium and alkalinity that hard corals consume for growth .. once you determine the calcium/alk demand of your tank you add the appropriate amt. of Kalk to meet that demand.

I suspect the normal progression for many reefers is to start off with nothing other than water changes supplemented by using a two part additive. As the tank progresses and the calcium demands grow the cost of using two part additives gets prohibitive and reefers switch to Kalkwasser .. at some point in time Kalkwasser may not be sufficient and they start to consider calcium reactors etc ... can be an expensive hobby.

Here's a nice article that discusses recommended water parameters .. has some nice internal links to separate articles which discuss individual items like calcium, alk, etc.

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php

Heres a link to a chemistry calculator .. will help you determine how much calcium, alkalinity, or magnesium supplement you may need based on water volume. Make sure you use actual water volume vs your tank size.

http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html

Hope this helps.

The two part systems are balanced as well. The trouble with them when trying to raise levels is that it takes a significant (and often times prohibitive) amount to increase levels. Setting initial levels are best achieved by using a buffer (commercial ones work just fine) and a calcium chloride supplement. It takes relatively little of each to get levels where they need to be, then kalkwasser or a two part additive may be used to maintain them.

[xlayedoutx]

I rarely do water changes. Tanks been running a month and haven't done one to date. Everything looks great, and everything test great. I dose the following.

Salifert- All In One every week
Salifert- Iodine every 3 weeks
Salifert- Trace Hard every week
Salifert- PH Buffer every week
I also dose something called Reef Maxx to help against diease every 3 weeks

[kevin2000]

Originally posted by Amphiprion
The two part systems are balanced as well. The trouble with them when trying to raise levels is that it takes a significant (and often times prohibitive) amount to increase levels. Setting initial levels are best achieved by using a buffer (commercial ones work just fine) and a calcium chloride supplement. It takes relatively little of each to get levels where they need to be, then kalkwasser or a two part additive may be used to maintain them.

Your statement is incorrect and I think your missing the point. The std two part additive has an individual container of calcium and one for alkalinity .. you balance your system by adding whatever individual component is necessary. There's nothing wrong with using homemade additives but they function in the same exact manner as the commercial two part systems .. just cost less.

[mg426]

I use randys homemade two part and regular water changes. Works great and very cheap and easy.

[Amphiprion]

Originally posted by kevin2000
Your statement is incorrect and I think your missing the point. The std two part additive has an individual container of calcium and one for alkalinity .. you balance your system by adding whatever individual component is necessary. There's nothing wrong with using homemade additives but they function in the same exact manner as the commercial two part systems .. just cost less.

Please tell me what is incorrect I think you are missing the point in the fact that to raise any of those parameters by any significant amount, you must use A LOT of either particular part. Why use most of your two part attempting to correct a problem when a one or two time small dose of buffer or calcium chloride can solve the problem. It doesn't make much sense as far as cost goes. The only reason it is balanced is because you are adding calcium ions along with various alkalinity ions (usually an equal amount)--I am not sure what your definition is, though, but that is the meaning of 'balanced' in this context.

[bertoni]

The commercial 2-part solutions are more expensive than baking soda and calcium chloride, the two cheapest ways for me to raise alkalinity and calcium, respectively. On the other hand, if my 29g tank gets low by 1.0 meq/L on alkalinity, which is a lot, moving it back takes only 3 tbsp of B-Ionic, which isn't necessarily all that expensive. Calcium can be a bit more extensive, in theory, but I don't find the cost difference to be enough to bother with mixing up some CaCl2.

The size of the tank is important to keep in mind, is all I'm saying. For a 200L reef, I don't think the supplement cost is all that bad for single-time corrections.

[kevin2000]

Originally posted by Amphiprion
The two part systems are balanced as well. The trouble with them when trying to raise levels is that it takes a significant (and often times prohibitive) amount to increase levels.

Kalkwasser is balanced because it already has the proper ratio of calcium and alkalinity.

A two part additive is simply two containers. One contains calcium and one has alkalinity. Each container is used separately and you can dial in whatever amt. of calcium or alkalinity you desire. Any balancing is done by the aquarist.

I see no reason why the quantity of commercial supplements will have be be greater (let alone prohibitive) than the quantity of home made supplements . If anything I would say the opposite is true since the commerical products often use higher grade chemicals that the homemade supplements.

In many cases the only significant difference between commercial and home made additives is cost.

[raleighreefguy]

My Alk is really high. I want to try to raise the Ca and see if things balance out before changing over to a two-psrt or Kalkwasser.

What is the best way to obtain CaCl2 (Calcium Chloride)?

What about Mg (magnesium) reading low? I understand that you can add Epsom Salt, but that you have to be worried about Sulfate component causing Algae Blooms.

Thanks,
Mike

[bertoni]

The commercial calcium-only products like Turbo Calcium are okay, and in the USA, you can buy Dow Flake in the 50 lb size, which is very inexpensive.

[Amphiprion]

Originally posted by bertoni
The commercial calcium-only products like Turbo Calcium are okay, and in the USA, you can buy Dow Flake in the 50 lb size, which is very inexpensive.

Right, the only difference is the the Turbo Calcium is anhydrous. But considering the bulk size of the DowFlake, it will easily make up for the increase in dosage.

[Red Rose Ramble]

Ok think I got all of that

But lost it on the "Baking Soda......... !"

Thats for cooking with is it not.....?

What will Baking Soda do to my Reef Tank.....?

Thanks guys for all your comments and opinoins

[Red Rose Ramble]

My last test results about a week ago showed

PH - 8.0
Calcium - 560
Magnesium - 960
DKH - 6

Do I need to change any of the above and if so how do I go About it...?

Ive just stole the wife's Baking Soda just in case

Wait until she try's making a cake

She wont believe me when I tell her the Coral's have eaten her "Baking Soda"

[Amphiprion]

Jose Dieck made a nice calculator for people in your situation. However, because your calcium is so high, you may want to let it lower a bit, or else you will not get enough dissolvability with the baking soda. Here is the calculator when you are ready to use it:
http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html

You should also look into a magnesium supplement to get your levels to around 1200.

[kevin2000]

Originally posted by Red Rose Ramble
My last test results about a week ago showed

PH - 8.0
Calcium - 560
Magnesium - 960
DKH - 6"

If you have not been using any additives to your tank then I think you have some bad readings ... I am unaware of any salt mixture that would give you those unusual reading. Oceanic can give very high calcium reading (at higher SG) and is known for its low alkalinity - but Oceanic would sign significantly higher mag levels.

Perhaps your safest best to get your water chemistry back in line is to do some moderate water changes.

[ZoeReef]

Originally posted by xlayedoutx
I rarely do water changes. Tanks been running a month and haven't done one to date. Everything looks great, and everything test great. I dose the following.

Salifert- All In One every week
Salifert- Iodine every 3 weeks
Salifert- Trace Hard every week
Salifert- PH Buffer every week
I also dose something called Reef Maxx to help against diease every 3 weeks

I am not the well of deep understanding, and at best I am a novice. That being said, your signature says you are just starting in the hobby and you have had your tank for one month.

Wouldn't you say that is a bit early to be advising people on dosing?

And at one month of experience, wouldn't it also be early to say 'I rarely do water changes'? I am not the thread police, but at the same time I think it might be prudent to wait just a bit longer before advising on some fairly complex issues.

[bertoni]

The parameters are rather odd, and some water changes might be a good idea. Baking soda is a good alkalinity supplement, so I'd add it for a while until calcium was acceptable, and then move to B-Ionic or a similar product.

Some tests on some freshly-mixed saltwater might help.