More Questions...

[pdiehm]

I'm planning on using the instant ocean salt mix when I get to that point, but I have some questions outside of that...and I'm either not wording it the right way in google, or I'm the only one who has this question, which I highly doubt.

My tap water is 7.0 pH, straight neutral. Going through RO/DI, it'll still be straight neutral. Will the salt mix raise the pH to the appropriate level?

Also, with a FOWLR tank, will there be any reason to make sure calcium, magnesium and such are at certain levels? If so, will I need to add another buffer? If I do, is there a brand that is recommended?

Reason I ask is, for my cichlids, I use Seachem Malawi buffer and rift lake salt. I'm used to mixing in buffer and letting it marinate for a day or 2 with a powerhead.

[Xavibear]

IO will bring everything to proper levels when mixed. You won't need to add any buffers if using IO in a fowlr tank.

Ca, KH & Mg are important for coralline growth

[James77]

Originally Posted by pdiehm

I'm used to mixing in buffer and letting it marinate for a day or 2 with a powerhead.

Just do the same with the salt mix. After RO, the IO will bring it to good levels.....though you should still check them, they can be off a little.

[pdiehm]

Originally Posted by Xavibear

IO will bring everything to proper levels when mixed. You won't need to add any buffers if using IO in a fowlr tank.

Ca, KH & Mg are important for coralline growth

don't I want coraline growth on the rocks? Instant Ocean won't proved those minerals, so I'll have to supplement?

[James77]

Originally Posted by pdiehm

don't I want coraline growth on the rocks? Instant Ocean won't proved those minerals, so I'll have to supplement?

Instant Ocean provides them....but it may not be in high enough amounts to keep up with coralline and coral growth. Coralline growth is very slow for several months...the best thing to do is test.

[Xavibear]

Originally Posted by pdiehm

don't I want coraline growth on the rocks? Instant Ocean won't proved those minerals, so I'll have to supplement?

IO should be enough to encourage coralline growth in a fowlr tank.

[pdiehm]

Thanks. I've read so much conflicting stuff about basic IO not having enough calcium to do this and that, and that FOWLR should be using reef crystals for the extra minerals, and such.

[Xavibear]

If you are going fowlr stick with IO.

[pdiehm]

definitely FOWLR. Thanks for the 411.

[maddmaxx]

Originally Posted by xavibear

if you are going fowlr stick with io.

+1

[jeffberg1941]

little white organisms crawling all over my glass...... good or bad?
tank is 8 weeks and change into cycle, ammo spiked and retreated(.25), nitrites spiked and now retreating(.50), nitrates hovering at 5.0. ghost fed cycle, introduced some of cuc 4 days ago. any ideas?