need a few small things, quick questions.

champscorner · 02/05/2007, 11:57 AM

going to pickup test kit and salt soon, i know there are a lot a different opions on both of these things but will probably go with popular opinion because of this. which test kit and salt for initial start up?sorry for posting so many new threads latley but i am doing a new 90gal startup and want to get as many opinions as possible before i decide on a couple of things.

AZDesertRat · 02/05/2007, 01:38 PM

Instant Ocean is a very popular salt. I used to use it years ago but later switched to Red Sea and for my current tanks I used Oceanic for the first 2.5 years and recemtly made a switch to OceanPure. All have worked out well for me. Some have higher calcium than others while others are lower on the alkalinity scale.
For test kits I think the universal choice is Salifert brand for most every thing. During my initial cycle I use a cheap Aquarium Phamecuticals liquid master test kit but after things are up and running its Salifert all the way.

champscorner · 02/05/2007, 04:37 PM

thanks. on the salt i was stuck between IO and i've also heard alot about reef crystals as well.

AZDesertRat · 02/05/2007, 05:40 PM

Reef Crystals is just IO with a couple more additives and buffers, other than that it comes out of the same hopper or bin.

GSMguy · 02/05/2007, 06:22 PM

i use red sea coral pro salt and the best test kits are salifert definetly

champscorner · 02/05/2007, 06:26 PM

what are the advantages to sea coral pro?

GSMguy · 02/05/2007, 06:29 PM

i like it because it keeps my calcium levels high without having to add supliments
another salt to look at is tropic marin

GSMguy · 02/05/2007, 06:30 PM

where in ohio are you champs

champscorner · 02/05/2007, 06:35 PM

does it make enough of a difference that it adjusts how much calcium you have to supplement? basically i'm into this because starting up a new 90gal and when i get to the stage of adding LR i will be at a stand still for awhile do to the dent in the pocket book!!! i'm just going to focus on making the coraline spread for a couple of months.

champscorner · 02/05/2007, 06:37 PM

BIG greenville!!!! Home of the lovely annie oakley and made rites

02/05/2007, 11:57 AM	#1
champscorner Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 276	need a few small things, quick questions. going to pickup test kit and salt soon, i know there are a lot a different opions on both of these things but will probably go with popular opinion because of this. which test kit and salt for initial start up?sorry for posting so many new threads latley but i am doing a new 90gal startup and want to get as many opinions as possible before i decide on a couple of things.

02/05/2007, 06:22 PM	#5
GSMguy Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Northern New Mexico Posts: 17,420	i use red sea coral pro salt and the best test kits are salifert definetly __________________ Nick. Conehead. Shallow Reef club. Current Tank Info: 48"x27"x14" Envision Acrylic rimless, 6x39w ATi Sunpower, Custom ATB Deluxe Skimmer, 4x tunze nano stream,ATB flowstar 1500, ACJR, Tunze osmolator.

02/05/2007, 06:26 PM	#6
champscorner Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 276	what are the advantages to sea coral pro? __________________ we as human beings are the only creatures on earth that can dream and set out to make that dream become true Current Tank Info: 90gal w/30gal sump, in sump fuge, aqua C EV 180 skimmer ran on a mag 9, 2x 250w pheonix mh and 4x 54w t5, ehiem 1262 for return, 2xphosban reactors(carbon,phosban), 2 x K4 for more circ

02/05/2007, 06:29 PM	#7
GSMguy Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Northern New Mexico Posts: 17,420	i like it because it keeps my calcium levels high without having to add supliments another salt to look at is tropic marin __________________ Nick. Conehead. Shallow Reef club. Current Tank Info: 48"x27"x14" Envision Acrylic rimless, 6x39w ATi Sunpower, Custom ATB Deluxe Skimmer, 4x tunze nano stream,ATB flowstar 1500, ACJR, Tunze osmolator.

02/05/2007, 06:30 PM	#8
GSMguy Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Northern New Mexico Posts: 17,420	where in ohio are you champs __________________ Nick. Conehead. Shallow Reef club. Current Tank Info: 48"x27"x14" Envision Acrylic rimless, 6x39w ATi Sunpower, Custom ATB Deluxe Skimmer, 4x tunze nano stream,ATB flowstar 1500, ACJR, Tunze osmolator.

02/05/2007, 01:38 PM	#2
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	Instant Ocean is a very popular salt. I used to use it years ago but later switched to Red Sea and for my current tanks I used Oceanic for the first 2.5 years and recemtly made a switch to OceanPure. All have worked out well for me. Some have higher calcium than others while others are lower on the alkalinity scale. For test kits I think the universal choice is Salifert brand for most every thing. During my initial cycle I use a cheap Aquarium Phamecuticals liquid master test kit but after things are up and running its Salifert all the way.

02/05/2007, 04:37 PM	#3
champscorner Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 276	thanks. on the salt i was stuck between IO and i've also heard alot about reef crystals as well.

02/05/2007, 05:40 PM	#4
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	Reef Crystals is just IO with a couple more additives and buffers, other than that it comes out of the same hopper or bin.

02/05/2007, 06:35 PM	#9
champscorner Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 276	does it make enough of a difference that it adjusts how much calcium you have to supplement? basically i'm into this because starting up a new 90gal and when i get to the stage of adding LR i will be at a stand still for awhile do to the dent in the pocket book!!! i'm just going to focus on making the coraline spread for a couple of months. __________________ we as human beings are the only creatures on earth that can dream and set out to make that dream become true Current Tank Info: 90gal w/30gal sump, in sump fuge, aqua C EV 180 skimmer ran on a mag 9, 2x 250w pheonix mh and 4x 54w t5, ehiem 1262 for return, 2xphosban reactors(carbon,phosban), 2 x K4 for more circ

02/05/2007, 06:37 PM	#10
champscorner Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 276	BIG greenville!!!! Home of the lovely annie oakley and made rites __________________ we as human beings are the only creatures on earth that can dream and set out to make that dream become true Current Tank Info: 90gal w/30gal sump, in sump fuge, aqua C EV 180 skimmer ran on a mag 9, 2x 250w pheonix mh and 4x 54w t5, ehiem 1262 for return, 2xphosban reactors(carbon,phosban), 2 x K4 for more circ