I have a euroreef cs2 plus and today the skimmate looked blue. I'd added some iron, iodine, mag/stront., and essential vitamins throughout the day yesterday. Seems like I took it back out. What do you experienced acropora keepers do? do you add addivtives? If so what and how often?
additives and skimming
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maintenance on your acropora tanks
maintenance on your acropora tanks
I've been accused by my husband and LFS that I mess with my tank too much and that is why I have some algae growth. I don't see what I do to it, please what do you all do for regular maintenance on your acropora tanks?
maintenance on your acropora tanks
I've been accused by my husband and LFS that I mess with my tank too much and that is why I have some algae growth. I don't see what I do to it, please what do you all do for regular maintenance on your acropora tanks?
Mike O'Brien
New member
Most suppliment calcium, alkalinity and magnesium only. That along with a few water changes a month is fine.
additives
additives
so the essential vitamins, iron, iodine, reef plus, reef builder, mag/strontium, (i think the reef plus is alike to ess. vitamins). I've got two things for calcium, one maintains I think and the other adds. I'd have to go downstairs and look, but I'm sure you all know what they are already.
All of these aren't necessary? I also have some zoanthus, and a couple ricordia with my acropora frags.
additives
so the essential vitamins, iron, iodine, reef plus, reef builder, mag/strontium, (i think the reef plus is alike to ess. vitamins). I've got two things for calcium, one maintains I think and the other adds. I'd have to go downstairs and look, but I'm sure you all know what they are already.
All of these aren't necessary? I also have some zoanthus, and a couple ricordia with my acropora frags.
ok, what kind do you use for ALK? I'm not aware of anything I have for ALK. Its all iron, iodine, mag/stront. or essential vitamins, or calcium of course.
Also, I've been feeding a little flake along with a mixture of small and medium pellets. My LFS always told me frozen was full of bad stuff for my tank, but all the articles I've been reading have said the opposite. that flake has phosphates and rinses frozen in ro water is the best. For those w/fish too, what do you feed?
Also, I've been feeding a little flake along with a mixture of small and medium pellets. My LFS always told me frozen was full of bad stuff for my tank, but all the articles I've been reading have said the opposite. that flake has phosphates and rinses frozen in ro water is the best. For those w/fish too, what do you feed?
Wiskey
New member
I test for alk (Dkh) and try to keep it around 9.0. Personally I use Randy's 2 part sulution to maintain it, but there are a meriad of ways.
The frozen (assuming you use the right stuff) is the good stuff, it is the flake that is packed with phospate. The right frozen food is also more healthy for your fish.
Whiskey
The frozen (assuming you use the right stuff) is the good stuff, it is the flake that is packed with phospate. The right frozen food is also more healthy for your fish.
Whiskey
jdieck
New member
Try adding Alkalinity and Calcium in a balanced way.
Good options are:
a) Randy's formulas (really baking Soda, Calcium Chloride or TurboCalcium and Magnesium Chloride or Epsom salts)
b) A two part additive, ESV B-Ionic original, Kent's two parts, Oceans blend, Two little Fishies all work well.
c) Limewater
d) Calcium Reactor.
You will need to test often for Calcium and alkalinity. when making adjustments the calculator can help you determine how much to add.
http://jdieck1.home.comcast.net/chem_calc3.html
Good options are:
a) Randy's formulas (really baking Soda, Calcium Chloride or TurboCalcium and Magnesium Chloride or Epsom salts)
b) A two part additive, ESV B-Ionic original, Kent's two parts, Oceans blend, Two little Fishies all work well.
c) Limewater
d) Calcium Reactor.
You will need to test often for Calcium and alkalinity. when making adjustments the calculator can help you determine how much to add.
http://jdieck1.home.comcast.net/chem_calc3.html
you are all kind, I'm blonde I admit it...
you are all kind, I'm blonde I admit it...
Reef Builder is for alk, duh.....good grief. I already have it, but as for testing all I have is nitrate, phosphate, calcium, and the test strips that test for all 5. I think alk is one of them, but the test strips are probably not all that good.
you are all kind, I'm blonde I admit it...
Reef Builder is for alk, duh.....good grief. I already have it, but as for testing all I have is nitrate, phosphate, calcium, and the test strips that test for all 5. I think alk is one of them, but the test strips are probably not all that good.
Two Little Fishies
Two Little Fishies
"Two Little Fishies C-Balance also contains natural seawater concentrations of trace elements, but since these are depleted by filtration methods and growth of marinelife, it is important to continuously replenish trace elements with a complete additive like CombiSan. Two Little Fishies C-Balance replenishes salts lost via protein skimming, and in this way also helps to promote very stable ratios and concentrations of ions. Two Little Fishies C-Balance maintains the calcium level, so it can be used as an alternative to kalkwasser or as a supplement to it. We recommend the use of kalkwasser in addition because of its stronger ability to precipitate phosphate. Two Little Fishies C-balance is made from the purest grade of chemicals and is the only calcium and alkalinity replenishing system that includes major, minor and trace elements in the correct ionic ratios to produce an ionic residual with the composition of natural seawater. It is the complete calcium solution."
OK, so, We recommend the use of kalkwasser in addition because of its stronger ability to precipitate phosphate. What is it talking about with the phosphate? you don't want phosphate right? causes algae?
Two Little Fishies
"Two Little Fishies C-Balance also contains natural seawater concentrations of trace elements, but since these are depleted by filtration methods and growth of marinelife, it is important to continuously replenish trace elements with a complete additive like CombiSan. Two Little Fishies C-Balance replenishes salts lost via protein skimming, and in this way also helps to promote very stable ratios and concentrations of ions. Two Little Fishies C-Balance maintains the calcium level, so it can be used as an alternative to kalkwasser or as a supplement to it. We recommend the use of kalkwasser in addition because of its stronger ability to precipitate phosphate. Two Little Fishies C-balance is made from the purest grade of chemicals and is the only calcium and alkalinity replenishing system that includes major, minor and trace elements in the correct ionic ratios to produce an ionic residual with the composition of natural seawater. It is the complete calcium solution."
OK, so, We recommend the use of kalkwasser in addition because of its stronger ability to precipitate phosphate. What is it talking about with the phosphate? you don't want phosphate right? causes algae?
jdieck
New member
Re: Two Little Fishies
Re: Two Little Fishies
Note that Kalk will be for maintaining the levels once they are in balance withing the target range (Ca 400 to 450 ppm, Alk 3 to 4 meq/lt), do not try to increase them with Kalk as you will end up with a very high PH.
Look for ways to export your phosphate, a refugium with macroalgae can partially help, I would recommend Phosban for a more effective solution.
Re: Two Little Fishies
Yes you need to keep phosphate at bay below 0.05 ppm preferebly undetectable.
Note that Kalk will be for maintaining the levels once they are in balance withing the target range (Ca 400 to 450 ppm, Alk 3 to 4 meq/lt), do not try to increase them with Kalk as you will end up with a very high PH.
Look for ways to export your phosphate, a refugium with macroalgae can partially help, I would recommend Phosban for a more effective solution.
jdieck
New member
Yes you can get by by manual supplementation if you can take the testing and manual additions hazzle.
Over time for a tanke the size of yours commercial supplements can bacome expensive.
Also note Reef Builder is only for Alkalinity, you need to also dose Calcium and magnesium and keep the balancing act.
For an easier life and manual dosification I would recommend switching to a two part supplement that will add Ca and Alkalinity in a balanced fashion or even cheaper, make your own supplements.
There is an article on making your own in the chemistry forum.
Over time for a tanke the size of yours commercial supplements can bacome expensive.
Also note Reef Builder is only for Alkalinity, you need to also dose Calcium and magnesium and keep the balancing act.
For an easier life and manual dosification I would recommend switching to a two part supplement that will add Ca and Alkalinity in a balanced fashion or even cheaper, make your own supplements.
There is an article on making your own in the chemistry forum.
MiddletonMark
Premium Member
Agree, size of tank and Ca Reactor tend to be a paired answer. If you want a lot of stony corals - with a larger tank [75g+] IMO a calcium reactor is inevitable, eventually.
Then again, for the first bit, you can probably get away with regular [very!] testing and Ca/Alk supplimentation to keep levels at NSW. I've got a 58 I've run for 3 years with just 2-part supplimentation - but it does require time, testing, and expense. When I upsize my tank, I'm going with a reactor.
I would get a good Alkalinity test. Mine fluctuates more than Calcium IME - and figuring both Calcium and Carbonate[Alkalinity measures this] are required to build coral skeletons - it's vital to provide if you want growth.
But I would be mighty wary adding without testing.
As for the other suppliments - I strongly recommend getting the tank running and stable with nothing more than Ca/Alk + water changes. IME, regular water changes provide all those suppliments in just fine proportions, are hard to overdose, and provide results I'm very happy with.
As for the Ca/Alk puzzle, jdieck as usual gives excellent guidance.
Then again, for the first bit, you can probably get away with regular [very!] testing and Ca/Alk supplimentation to keep levels at NSW. I've got a 58 I've run for 3 years with just 2-part supplimentation - but it does require time, testing, and expense. When I upsize my tank, I'm going with a reactor.
I would get a good Alkalinity test. Mine fluctuates more than Calcium IME - and figuring both Calcium and Carbonate[Alkalinity measures this] are required to build coral skeletons - it's vital to provide if you want growth.
But I would be mighty wary adding without testing.
As for the other suppliments - I strongly recommend getting the tank running and stable with nothing more than Ca/Alk + water changes. IME, regular water changes provide all those suppliments in just fine proportions, are hard to overdose, and provide results I'm very happy with.
As for the Ca/Alk puzzle, jdieck as usual gives excellent guidance.
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