coral supplements

DaveG99

DaveG99

New member
I am trying to learn about what it takes to maintain corals as far as supplements. It would be nice to have a thread that explains the basics. And maybe inform us about what the product does, where to get it and how much to use and how to add it to the tank. Some products I was curious about was pickling lime and kalkawasser. Bare with me as I try to learn about this stuff. I eventually want to get some corals in my tank.
 
Main importance is salinity(1.023-1.025), calcium(420-450 ppm for skelaton formation), alk, ph(8.2-8.4), iodine(for invert molting and coral reproduction) and magnesium levels. These are the things you definitely want.

Now some things you don't want:
Ammonia, Nitrate, Nitrite, Phosphate, and copper.

Corals do not only use photosynthesis through zooxanthellae, but many also like to eat. I feed my corals througha baster for spot feeding. I only feed mysis (not the 85%water one, the one with almost all mysis) mixed with coral vibrance. Once to twice a week depending on how they are looking. Be careful not to overfeed too much because this can bring some problems I talked about earlier.

My suggestion is take your time and get everything settled down and within range before adding anything but live rock and sand. Take a month or two to read up on what type of corals you're planning on having and the requirements they need to survive. Don't buy anything without reading at least two different sources description of the animal...many times one won't tell you what another will.

Last but not least...enjoy!!!!!!!! This is an amazing hobby, but takes some time, money and patience. It takes a special person to kepp, maintain, and grow corals. But let me tell you, the work you put into it pays off so greatly. It is such a rewarding hobby. And on the bright side, it doesn't only steal your money...it can actually start making you money a few years down the line.

As my friend always tells me says, "Reasearch first, rewards later"
 
Most people in Orlando don't use lime or Kalk. I use, because it was recommended by almost everybody I know, a two part (part A is calcium and part B is alk). The type I use is Ocean's Blend, a great product from one of our sponsors, Russell Whitney. I also use his magnesium supplement.
 
i have used kalk in the past but it is not really necessary especially starting off b/c you can easily add enough throught the two part additive that is what i used when i first started and even after 2 years when i started using even a small amount of kalk it was too much for my softie tank. It is better used if you have a really high consumption of calcium and alk and then it becomes a little cheaper.
 
Alot of people may neglect to say this but i am a firm believer in it. Using a high quality salt, such as Tropic Marin(Pro Reef, in this case) is definitely a step in the right direction. I've been doing this for over 10yrs now. Theres good salt and then theres GREAT salt. Good salt will show good results, and give you the elements you need. however a great salt will do all that and continue to hold a strong stability in params. this is not to say your levels will not deplete, however you wont have drastic shifts. and things will not get "Shocked" or stressed... I've run my tanks blind with the exception of Po4 testing, one thing you can't keep out of the tank no matter how hard ya try, its everywhere, in food fish waste, etc... Dave if you need any help i'd be more then happy to help you out. We built you a sick car, we can do the same w/ the tank.
 
i agree with you about the salt i just know alot of people do not want to spend the extra money but if you can it is the best thing to do.
 
I use to use 2 part. If you have a small tank, ocean's blends and the other brands work well. When you get large enough it really is too expensive. I would suggest making your own. It is very easy and safe.

Calcium 2.5 cups per gallon. Make sure the container is thick as it heats up.

Alk - I use just baking soda. Works for me and cheap

Magnesium - I bought magnesium hexahydrate online and you mix 5 cups of that and 3 cups of epsom salt in to make a total volume of 1 gallons. I make 5 gallons at a time. Stick a powerhead in as it dissolves VERY slowly.

I have a calcium reactor now but I still check my levels and add magnesium when needed.

I've tried several products to feed the corals. While LPS and softies might benefit, I haven't honestly seen much difference in growth with SPS by feeding.

Hope that helps.
 
Light, food and FLOW!
I agree with the Tropic Marin salt being the best to use. It is more expensive, but I've found that with regular water changes it keeps the calcium, alk and magnesium at higher levels, therefore saving on other additives, especially magnesium. I dose the Ocean's Blend A&B. Buying it in larger quantities saves quite a bit of money. Good flow is a must IMO. I installed a Tunze powerhead on my 125 and the coral extension is incredible. I feed the Coral Vibrance and I think it does a great job. I feed twice a week with that in addition to a healthy food mix daily (mysis, Cyclopeez, Formula 2, Kent Zoe and garlic). The trick is not to overfeed as that leads to phosphate problems. SPS need metal halide lighting for the most part. Although I've seen some success with T-5 lighting, I feel sps kept under them aren't as colorful, but others may disagree. GL, Marcye
 
You can get Oceans Blend at just about any LFS, Sea In The City, Fish Bowl, I think Ocean Blue carries it. Until you get into stony corals i would just stick towards water changes as far as two part dosing.
 
Prodibio

Prodibio

This stuff has become quite the hot topic on our forums. A local store here sells it- Robsreef.com I plan on getting some soon to try.
Carrie
 
What is being said about it?
I'm researching new items to carry and would love input/suggests into into any new or unusual additives being used, good or bad. Thanks, Marcye
 
Hi Robb...isn't that a great article? I admire Lee for taking the time to write such an informative article and for giving me permission to publish it on my site, which is just in the beginning stages and hopefully will have many additional articles on fish health and on reef conservation in the future. I think it will help a lot of aquarists to improve the health, well-being and longevity of their fish. Thanks for the thumbs up. Marcye
 
I plan on getting a zoanthid soon. Or maybe some other type of soft coral. So you are saying I do not need to add anything special to the water. I thought you need to use a turkey baster and squirt some type of mixture at them so they can eat.
 
True zoanthids do not need food supplementation in the form of direct feeding. The zooxanthelae (I know I spelled it wrong) work on photosynthesis. Palythoas (larger, but very closely related to zoas) do like supplemental feeding, such as mysis or coral vibrance. I do not think it is required, but is great to help keep healthy. Zoos like a shot of coral vib also once in a while for coloration to look nicer. Lighting of at least 3 watts per gal, preferably over 5. Flow (not too heavy, just enough to keep water moving constantly) for zoos and ricordea.
 
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