Extras Needed for a successful 180

[hurrifan]

I habe a 180 aga recently set up. I want to have SPS, clams and various other things. I have MH lighting, but want some advice on what supplements I should add. Do I need to dose Kalk and Calcium simultaneously? With a tank of this size do I need a Ca of Ka Reactor? What are the best supplements and minerals to add for this tank to flourish? Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[Anonymous]

The amount of calcium required really depends more on the volume of sps corals you have and how fast they are growing. A reactor is by far the easiest way to keep up with it. If you have a nice dosing pump like a litre-meter to make up for evaporation it is perfectly easy to add kalk also, altho probably not neccesary.

Other than that, I would not add any supplements.

 

[Carpentersreef]

I too have the aga 180 with sps clams and others, with Mh. I have a CA reactor, and would never do without it. My Ca levels stay pretty constant between 480 and 500.
I wouldn't be looking for chemicals to buy, I would purchase test kits instead, and then buy the chemicals as you need them. I add Reefpure vitamin/HUFA supplement and Lugols plus on the weekends that I don't do water changes, and I find that my magnesium levels drop quite often, so I will add that as needed.
Along with your test kits, watch your corals for signs that things aren't going so well.
I'm still learning though, but my system is coming up on 2 years old, and most corals are growing, (except the gonipora) and none have died. My anemone has split 3 times.

HTH,
Mitch

[ September 18, 2001: Message edited by: Carpentersreef ]