little question from shavs

[shavo]

have a 125 live rock reef tank only 2 corals 1 pulsating xenia and one gorgonia. things are ok for 2 weeks now I know I have good calcium levels and want to know what else i need to do besides calcium and lighting. I am not sure what exactly alkalinity is or how to test or what to buy and is there anything else i need to know to get started?
thanks
chris in philly
can i post a pic of my tank on here?

 

[Len]

:welcome:

Yup, you may post a pic. Either upload it as an attachment or use the tags if you're hosting them offsite.

There are alk test kits available for saltwater. If your tank is new, the other test kits you will need are ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate (all common and cheap test kits). Also, if your tank is new (e.g 2 weeks old), you shouldn't be adding any livestock to the tank. You have to let it cycle and settle in; this process usually takes 6-8 weeks. During this period, a lot of toxic compounds are generated that can kill livestock.

Aside from lighting, you'll want a good skimmer, good circulation, a way to keep temperature stable, and I recommend either a ca reactor or supplementing with good addtives like Bionic or Cbalance.

Make sure to read this for a lot of good info:
[url=http://reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=33928]http://reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=33928[/url]

 

[shavo]

maybe i should have been a little more descriptive. I am a converted freshwater to saltwater guy I have the basic test kits and everything is looking good. nitrates nitrites and ammonia are all absolutely zero ph is 8ish. I have had this tank running for about 6 months. I started too quick and now I have settled down and I am doing everything by the book. I wanted to make a reef I have all the rock in place and I just started buying some corals and wanted to know what else besides light and calcium was needed I heard alkalinity and wasn't sure what that meant. now i see stontonium and all this other crap and I was wondering if it was necessary or is that stuff for the reef gods to use. I want to do it right but not go completely overboard that's all. thanks I will check out your link that you sent. take care shavs

 

[SnowManSnow]

untill you have more corals i wouldnt worry too much about other nutrients in the water for them. when you do just dose with B-Ionic and be done with it. Water changes should also replinish what you need.

b

 

[shavo]

thanks for the advice. i have a denitrater that releases calcium into the water and my level for calcium is at 480. I think this is good if i use B-ionic will it raise my calcium levels over this amount?
thanks for the advice.
this site is great and it has so much info and peopel are really nice I wish I found this site alot earlier

I am going to post a pic soon of my tank it is basically a rock tank but I am working on it.
thanks again!

 

[alvintheclownfish]

hey shavs., where in philly u from? where do u shop? im 15 minutes away i live in west chester.

 

[shavo]

I live in oxford valley area, 5 minutes from sesame place. right now i shop on 413 at the fish factory because the hidden reef burned down last winter. however they are setting up shop again in bristol PA and it looks like it is going to be bigger than ever. The bought the paso doble ball room and are opening soon. I am a hidden reef shopper they are really good and keep the prices down.
have you been to that big one in lancaster area yet? i think it is called "that fish place" I hear about how crazy it is.
talk to you later
where do you shop? any good shops out there?