More help... Additives...

[seranko]

Hey guys,

I am almost ready to fill my tank and start my reef... I'm going to order some stuff online and I want to order as much as I can now to avoid many shipping costs...

I'm planning to have this type of corals :

Assortment of Ricoidea Florida
Assortment of Ricoidea Yuma
Assortment of Clavularia sp. (clove polyps)
Assortment of Zoanthus sp.
Assortment of Rhodactis sp.
Assortment of Discosomas sp.

Easy to have, easy to keep... Or at least many people told me that...

What type of additives do I have to order and what brand ??? (Iodine, magnesium, etc)


Thanks for your help

 

[Len]

Hi. Get B-ionic or C-balance two part additives (both are approximately the same thing). Isn't that simple? These are complete supplements that will provide your tank elements in natural seawater proportions. These, along with regular water changes, should be all you need.

I recommend dosing other additives only if you test the water and find a severe deficiency in that particular additive. I wouldn't add them blindly.

 

[Tackett]

Len is correct. As far as other trace elements go, regular, consistant, water changes with the appropriate salt mix will eliminate the need for other additives. The two part additives will help you keep your ca+ level up to where it needs to be. (~450) Only dose other elements if you test for them and find it dificient.

 

[Anonymous]

What they said. Welcome to this fantastic hobby!!

 

[SnowManSnow]

I've been putting B-Ionic in my tank for about a month or so now, and I already see increased coral expansion and more coraline growth. Great stuff!

B.

 

[Anonymous]

I'd also suggest adding Kalkwasser in your top-off water.

 

[Anonymous]

you dont need any additives for those mentioned corals..not even Kalkwasser...water changes will keep those trace elements and calcium in check

 

[Anonymous]

you dont need any additives for those mentioned corals..not even Kalkwasser...water changes will keep those trace elements and calcium in check

I disagree with you to a point. Putting any "miracle" additives in without testing and having a definite need for them is foolish, and a waste of money IMO but Kalk is a different issue entirely.

Number one, the buffering capacity of the tank is tied to make-up water chemistry. If the make up water is like what comes out on my RO/DI system, i.e. so "soft" it requires additional buffering to maintain the recommended levels, the addition of Kalkwasser is a cheap benefit.

Two, even if the corals in the tank aren't stoneys and don't directly utilize it, other things in the tank benefit from Kalk, like shrimp, snails, hermit crabs and corraline algae. Even with weekly water changes you still would need to add makeup water to maintain the SG, right? So it isn't really an additional chore or much of an expense to use Kalk for that purpose.

 

[Anonymous]

LordNikon and Lawdawg are too polarized to give you rational advice, so let me try this...

With a softy tank, you just need minimum additives. You may want to dose kalk, but with the calcium demand in your tank, you probably want to go with the easier/expensive method of using two part calcium additive. I bet a 24 oz bottle will last you a long time on this.

Just do regular water change as Len said.

Now, Lawdawg and LordNikon should hug each other....

 

[Anonymous]

LordNikon and Lawdawg are too polarized to give you rational advice, so let me try this...

Now why would you say that? I wrote that I disagreed with him to a point . That wasn't polarized at all. Now the Sump, that's a different story :lol:

Now, Lawdawg and LordNikon should hug each other....

Allright by me except he should know that I'm overdue for my rabies and parvo shots and I haven't had lunch yet

 

[Anonymous]

I think adding additives to a tank that doesnt require such supplementation unnecessary...Just to do it to do it? before i put anything requiring additives in my tank, my zoos and shrooms did just fine..

What type of additives do I have to order and what brand

The truthful answer is none..It isnt necessary in order for those particular corals to survive and thrive...

I dont see how I am in anyways making polarized statements?? Or lawdawg for that matter..I answered the question with the best of my knowledge and experience..And as I see it you didnt answer the question any better than me or Lawdawg... :wink:

 

[danmhippo]

This is a double post, meaning the original poster started this identical thread in different forums, but just incase he didn't see it on the other forum, my answer is no additives required at all.

 

[Anonymous]

Yes I saw that too Danmhippo and again in that room I also agreed with you on the additives as I do here...

 

[Anonymous]

the make up water is like what comes out on my RO/DI system, i.e. so "soft" it requires additional buffering to maintain the recommended levels, the addition of Kalkwasser is a cheap benefit.

That is all dependent on how much Ca is being used between water changes..Most people typically do a change once a week which will replenish (in the sythentic salt mix) any lost trace elements and Ca..So to better answer the question before blindly adding in supps is to do a check on your Calcium to see if you even need to add Kalkwasser or B-Ionic or any of the other mentioned additives..I think you will find it unnecessary to go to those lengths in adding additional additives to your system when do water changes...And as for snails, shrimps etc..They still will not suck the system dry of Ca...If youre talking LPS and mainly SPS then you will find it necessary as these guys will "drink" up the Ca quickly...

 

[Anonymous]

the make up water is like what comes out on my RO/DI system, i.e. so "soft" it requires additional buffering to maintain the recommended levels, the addition of Kalkwasser is a cheap benefit.

That is all dependent on how much Ca is being used between water changes..Most people typically do a change once a week which will replenish (in the sythentic salt mix) any lost trace elements and Ca..So to better answer the question before blindly adding in supps is to do a check on your Calcium to see if you even need to add Kalkwasser or B-Ionic or any of the other mentioned additives..I think you will find it unnecessary to go to those lengths in adding additional additives to your system when do water changes...And as for snails, shrimps etc..They still will not suck the system dry of Ca...If youre talking LPS and mainly SPS then you will find it necessary as these guys will "drink" up the Ca quickly...

See? We do agree :lol:. But I am serious about my RO/DI water sucking the buffering capacity out of the salt mix. It comes out ph 5.5-6 even with additional aeriation and if I do not either buffer the water before I add salt or add Kalk in my makeup water ( 1 gallon/day) my Ca level in the main tank stays low .

 

[Anonymous]

I agree that we disagree :wink:

 

[Anonymous]

((smoochies for my good LordNikon))

 

[Anonymous]

So Lawdawg,
you dose Kalkwasser every day?

 

[Anonymous]

Yes, and once you get into the habit of mixing it up in anvance, etc it isn't that much trouble.

 

[hisalub]

hi seranko...

the best additive for those babies: ligth.

:wink: