additives
- Thread starter cubsfan79
- Start date
dileggi
Premium Member
I personally use the Kent trace elements, which I usually dose bi-weekly to keep my trace elements up in between water changes.
As for dosing calcium or anything like that, I think it would depend on what your water parameters are. If they test fine, then there probably isn't a reason to dose. If a parameter drops, such as your CA level, then it could help to buffer it.
As for dosing calcium or anything like that, I think it would depend on what your water parameters are. If they test fine, then there probably isn't a reason to dose. If a parameter drops, such as your CA level, then it could help to buffer it.
dsn112
Premium Member
You should only dose additives if you can't keep good levels with water changes.
I use b-ionic, which is great, because IO salt mix seems to leave me low alk and calc.
I am going to switch salt mix for my new tank and hopefully not have to dose bionic anymore, but we will see.
Never just dose things without knowing why you are doing it.
I use b-ionic, which is great, because IO salt mix seems to leave me low alk and calc.
I am going to switch salt mix for my new tank and hopefully not have to dose bionic anymore, but we will see.
Never just dose things without knowing why you are doing it.
First off, a general principle: never add something you aren't testing for.
For most reefs you will need to add calcium and a source of alkalinity. I use two part from ESV.
Beyond that, I use Zoecon as an additive to food and occasionally/rarely add iodine/iron/boron, but only if it has tested low.
Depending on the salt you use, you might need some extra magnesium.
Kalk water for top offs can be useful (i.e. less expensive then using two part for all of the replacement) but it just depends on you system.
Other then those (and the obvious top off water, fresh saltwater, etc), there really aren't any additives that you absolutely need.
For most reefs you will need to add calcium and a source of alkalinity. I use two part from ESV.
Beyond that, I use Zoecon as an additive to food and occasionally/rarely add iodine/iron/boron, but only if it has tested low.
Depending on the salt you use, you might need some extra magnesium.
Kalk water for top offs can be useful (i.e. less expensive then using two part for all of the replacement) but it just depends on you system.
Other then those (and the obvious top off water, fresh saltwater, etc), there really aren't any additives that you absolutely need.
rustybucket145
New member
Essential Elements is a waste of money IMO. Scientifically speaking we aren't even sure if the 'Essential Elements' are even essential to corals. Also, my main concern is: How do we know how much of that essential element we really have in the tank? We can't test for them.... So how do we know we don't have enough already.
Sorry, but that makes absolutely no sense to me.
Isn't this a total contradiction...?? You say that he needs to test before adding calcium (an element we KNOW that corals need) but you say he should add as much as he 'thinks' of the essential elements that he can't even test for????
Sorry, but that makes absolutely no sense to me.
dileggi
Premium Member
I don't think it's a contradiction at all. You may be right and the Total Trace Element dosing may be a waste of my time, but what do the trace elements have to do with CA? I wasn't even aware that you could test for the "trace elements". If you could test for trace elements, wouldn't that negate any need for water changes? You could just buffer everything individually?
I don't have as much experience, so I could be completely wrong, but, to me, dosing trace elements, but testing for calcium are two different things, therefore not a contradiction at all. Maybe you read my post wrong? Or, maybe I need to educated more on this subject.
