Additives

Seaworthy · 06/09/2007, 11:22 PM

Do they really help? I can see if you have a load-in like a tank of the month but I've heard that good judicious water changes really provide enough of these various elements for most reefers. Also, I personally have mostly shrooms, zo's, and softies. A few of LPS but certainly not a lot. Do they really benefit from all the calcium, alkalinity, etc.? Seems like a lot of money out the window.

dc_909 · 06/09/2007, 11:41 PM

Not a lot of money. Just make your own 3-part using Randy's formula and it will only cost a few dollars a year.

stuccodude · 06/09/2007, 11:42 PM

im not a veteran but the LFS i go too has a amazing display tank with 250 metal halides, no chiller cause he runs the cooler to get people to come in and no calcium reactor, he (and I cause im modeling my tank after his) runs a sump with no bio balls- a phos reactor and some tunzi powerheads and a uv and says he gets a ocasional ich but the uv takes care of it

ronald7410 · 06/10/2007, 12:25 AM

You wouldn't need it but your coral would benefit greatly. Cal creates the hard skeletons along w the buffer.

frederickk · 06/11/2007, 03:52 PM

I personaly like to dose Ca and the seachem KH additive as to maintain my levels. My Ca reactor just maintain my levels so I need to dose every other week just to keep a good level.

am3gross · 06/11/2007, 03:57 PM

i think that as long as your are testing your levels that willl tell you if you need to dose or not. water changes are good to get in some of the trace elements that you use while you are skimming and it will also lower nitrates. so i would say to test before you dose and that will give you the bigger picture.

06/09/2007, 11:22 PM	#1
Seaworthy Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 179	Additives Do they really help? I can see if you have a load-in like a tank of the month but I've heard that good judicious water changes really provide enough of these various elements for most reefers. Also, I personally have mostly shrooms, zo's, and softies. A few of LPS but certainly not a lot. Do they really benefit from all the calcium, alkalinity, etc.? Seems like a lot of money out the window. __________________ Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you will be a mile away and you will have their shoes. Current Tank Info: 300G Mixed Reef w/150G sump/refugium

06/09/2007, 11:42 PM	#3
stuccodude Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: sanger Posts: 1,040	im not a veteran but the LFS i go too has a amazing display tank with 250 metal halides, no chiller cause he runs the cooler to get people to come in and no calcium reactor, he (and I cause im modeling my tank after his) runs a sump with no bio balls- a phos reactor and some tunzi powerheads and a uv and says he gets a ocasional ich but the uv takes care of it __________________ fear the wrath of patrick willis!!! no offense is safe. Current Tank Info: 240 all the goodies,hydra 26 led lights, chiller etc

06/10/2007, 12:25 AM	#4
ronald7410 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: SoCal Posts: 212	You wouldn't need it but your coral would benefit greatly. Cal creates the hard skeletons along w the buffer. __________________ Yes, Its harder for me to keep fish than coral.

06/11/2007, 03:57 PM	#6
am3gross Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: va Posts: 1,243	i think that as long as your are testing your levels that willl tell you if you need to dose or not. water changes are good to get in some of the trace elements that you use while you are skimming and it will also lower nitrates. so i would say to test before you dose and that will give you the bigger picture. __________________ There are five things that you cannot recover in life: (1) The Stone...........after it's thrown, (2) The Word...............after it's said, (3) The Occasion......after it's missed, and ...(4) The Time.............after it's gone. (5) A person...............after they die Current Tank Info: 210 display, 75 gallon fuge

06/09/2007, 11:41 PM	#2
dc_909 Moved On Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Murrieta, CA Posts: 3,260	Not a lot of money. Just make your own 3-part using Randy's formula and it will only cost a few dollars a year.

06/11/2007, 03:52 PM	#5
frederickk Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 2,712	I personaly like to dose Ca and the seachem KH additive as to maintain my levels. My Ca reactor just maintain my levels so I need to dose every other week just to keep a good level.