conditioners

[modelrr]

I am about to start up a 12-24 gallon reef tank. What conditioners would I need?

Would this be a good idea? --
http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_additives_kent_marine_combo_packs.asp?CartId=

thanks

 

[MiddletonMark]

That would be way more than you need.

What do you mean by `conditioners'?

Generally I add three things in the last couple of years to my tank [beyond water changes] ... a Calcium/Alkalinity 2-part suppliment, and food [generally not from bottles].

 

[Swanwillow]

I agree: no need to buy things... unless your going with a full blown SPS/LPS reef, then all you need is calcium supplements (what Mark said)

the only 'conditioner' I use is to remove chlorine/chloramine from my tap water, since I don't have an RO/DI unit... otherwise, nothing gets dosed, cept for food... which also, doesn't come from a bottle

oh, the one thing I did use from a bottle: phytoplankton. DT's to be exact. but that was for my clams a few years ago

 

[modelrr]

ok well i feel stupid now...thanks though

 

[Swanwillow]

don't feel stupid- its a product that they are trying to sell... your the person they try to sell it to!!! same as at the LFS: they will do anything to sell you something, as long as you think you need it, they will make the sale.

its the same thing online: they want you to think you need it to make your tank live. Therefore, if you NEED it you buy it... marketing at its finest

 

[modelrr]

ok, so here's what I'm looking at:

-Kent Marine Aquarium pH Buffer
-Kent Marine Pro Tech Coat Marine
-Seachem Prime
-Kent Marine Liquid Calcium

 

[MiddletonMark]

What water do you use for your tank?
For your top-up?

With my RO/DI, I don't add anything for top-up ... and just salt for water changes. Depending on your circumstances, Prime might be needed.

Unsure about `Tech Coat', can't really advise on that - but you might not need it.

For calcium and alkalinity - I'd be sure to buy a pair of test kits along with. I've used a variety of the 2-part Ca/Alk suppliments [Kent, C-balance, ESV/B-ionic, Ocean's Blend] and haven't found much significant difference except in price. Personally I lean towards B-ionic ... and if you can check the labels normally they'll tell you `how much' of Ca/Alk contained in each bottle.

---
This hobby never quits with the learning.
It's ok, don't get upset about it - and if you get too upset, I'd always suggest buying a good book. There's a handful of quite good ones [rarely I see them in LFS, though] and at worst resale isn't too bad

But we have all been in your shoes, we all started this hobby too.

Just keep asking before buying stuff and you'll save a lot, learn a lot, and skip a lot of heartbreak/hassle.

 

[jgoodrich71]

Actually, what I would be looking at instead:

Calcium test kit
Nitrate test kit
Alkalinity test kit
Phosphate test kit
pH test kit

People around here like to use the saying, don't add what you don't test for. Let the test kits tell you what you need.

 

[MiddletonMark]

And while it might not be popular - I'd skip the Phosphate test kit.

IMO, that's something to concern yourself on down the road + plan/act to avoid problems now ... but testing Phosphate on a new tank? I guess IMO money better spent on a refractometer/etc.

 

[jgoodrich71]

You do have a point Mark. But I would like to test for PO4 on makeup water and catch it before it becomes a problem. It's a lot easier to deal with when it's just starting to rise than when its greater than 1.

 

[modelrr]

MiddletonMark: I'm using well water (no ro/di). If that doesn't work well, I'll get an ro/di filter.

yeah, I've been researching and planning for around a year now. Still haven't gotten around to buying books though .

 

[Swanwillow]

I'm horrible I think-my only test kits that I use are ammonia and PH

I HAVE nitrite test kit... but just don't use it. and I know my nitrates are high, so I just do water changes: don't even own the test kit for that... same with phosphates... assume its high!!! but, like I said: I don't dose anything, nothing in my tank needs calcium, or alk, or any of that...

great thing bout having seahorses: its most a FOWLR with some softies mixed in...

 

[modelrr]

swanwillow, I was wondering how tap water works. I have well water and am trying to avoid getting an ro/di filter due to cost, etc..

 

[Swanwillow]

get used to algae... I also use the dechlorinator/heavy metal removal stuff... makes my skimmer go crazy for a day.

but, you just get used to the algae after awhile. my water is high iron-part of living in northern MN... growing up, my hair was an orangish color... got a malibu treatment at the hair salon (they strip out the crud from your hair) turned the rinse water purple, and my hair was... well, very blonde!~!! but, Because of that, there is A LOT of algae!!!

otherwise, some corals don't like it: I can't keep too many LPS long term, and clams don't make it even under 250 watts of MH. Xenia don't seem to grow at all... right now I have some from a local that took off in his tank, and they aren't too happy in mine.

That said, anemones LOVE it!!! I had a 29 gallon set up with just tap water, without conditioners (few years ago) and my 250 watter, and a long tentacle anem that I rescued from the LFS: it started out the size of the bottom of a pop can (or soda if your not from here) and when I gave it away, it was bigger than a dinner plate. and zoanthids are doing better than I've seen. sponges take off like weeds, cheto doesn't do good, but other macros are ok.

So, my experience using tap water: some things are ok, some aren't... in your area: whos to say???

 

[modelrr]

I'll try it out since I'm going to be getting mostly zoos and mushrooms to start with.