caring for LPS coral?

[WaVe RiDeR]

okay, today i im switching from a tank dabbler to a reef keeper!!!:bounce1:

I have some knowledge about the up keep of some corals, i am looking to keep LPS, softys and my favorite zoanthids!!!! what i need help with is exactly how to care for these corals like correct calcium, alkalinity and trace elements. I have the correct lighting and flow and Etc. IF you guys could help me out and share some information and point me into some info to read up on and help me get a better understanding.

 

[scarface70706]

i just use kalk in my ato for my lps an zoo garden. they are all doing just fine. idk the exact amount of the levels that they need to be at but lps and zoo arnt as sensitive as sps so ime simple water changes and kalk in the ato system will keep your corals happy. your salt mix contains all the necessary element so with only a few frags here and there your water changes will be enough but kalk is always number one for most people when caring for corals. when you get more higher demanding corals i do know some times kalk cant keep up so you might have to dose extra amounts.

 

[WaVe RiDeR]

i just use kalk in my ato for my lps an zoo garden. they are all doing just fine. idk the exact amount of the levels that they need to be at but lps and zoo arnt as sensitive as sps so ime simple water changes and kalk in the ato system will keep your corals happy. your salt mix contains all the necessary element so with only a few frags here and there your water changes will be enough but kalk is always number one for most people when caring for corals. when you get more higher demanding corals i do know some times kalk cant keep up so you might have to dose extra amounts.

so regular water changes and kalk dosing should be okay?

 

[seapug]

Most LPS are quite tolerant but as always, aim for the standard natural sea water parameters and you'll be just fine. Sometimes you can achieve that using water changes alone, other times you'll need the help of Kalkwasser, a 2 part Cal- Alk additive (my personal favorite) or a calcium reactor if you have a tank full of fast growing stony corals.

 

[rsl3]

Water changes are going to be your best friend. I would recommend doing a smaller water change every 2 weeks rather than once a month as to consistently replenish your levels. I have an LPS dominated tank and simply do a 15% water change weekly and dose C Balance 2 part daily and growth and health are great! Best of luck!

 

[WaVe RiDeR]

just seems to easy!!!!

 

[cwinn]

as said before small water changes every 2 weeks. start testing for alk, calc, and mag however u may not necessarily have to start dosing right away. i also dose kalk in my ato and i have mainly lps and zoas, few clams. good luck!

 

[WaVe RiDeR]

i plan on dosing calcium and alkalinity then after getting them to the levels i want, i will start dosing kalk?

 

[WaVe RiDeR]

any thoughts?

 

[dirtyBit]

Kalk is a great way to maintain your levels so yes, get them where you need to and then use kalk to keep them there. Kalk also raises PH so don't over do it. I put kalk in my ATO. Water changes are the most important, but kalk can buy you some time.

 

[seapug]

i plan on dosing calcium and alkalinity then after getting them to the levels i want, i will start dosing kalk?

Kalkwasser is a good low dose calcium and alkalinity supplement (when done correctly), but I personally advise against using it as a sole means of maintaining calcium and alkalinity in a reef tank for one simple reason-- it does not contain Magnesium.

Speaking from personal experience, when Kalkwasser is used alone for an extended period, you can reach a point where you have a hard time maintaining alkalinity because Magnesium has become completely depleted, as it is used in the coral calcification process just as much as the Calcium and carbonate ions provided by Kalkwasser. Since you're not supplementing it along with the Calcium and buffer provided by Kalk, things can start to get way out of whack.

You then have to purchase and use large amounts of a magnesium supplement to raise Magnesium levels, so you end up spending a lot of time chasing individual Calcium, Alk and Magnesium numbers using separate supplements for each while things come back into line. It can be a very tedious and frustrating experience-- like reef chemistry whack-a-mole.

This is why Calcium reactors and 2 part supplements are better for general calcium alkalinity maintenance in a reef tank. Calcium reactors and quality two part Cal - Alk supplements will provide the Magnesium along with the Calcium and carbonate buffer in the proper ratios. When all three are supplemented at the same time in the proper ionic ratios, you avoid see sawing parameters and simplify the entire process.

 

[dirtyBit]

I wouldn't worry about dosing at this point. Water changes alone are usually sufficient for most LPS. Simplicity is a good long term plan whenever possible. As your coral count increases then I would look into a good 3-part plan using Randy's recipe. Seapug is correct that dosing only kalk leaves out Mag but frequent water changes should hopefully suffice. I'm currently doing both (3-part and kalk) but I have some hungry SPS. A reefer buddy of mine had LPS for years with no dosing and only water changes once a week and has a beautiful tank.