My 12DX, How much is too much additives

H

headtreads

New member
I am fairly new to this community and wanted to befriend fellow reef keepers by asking for their input on this subject, ADDITIVES.
I started my tank about 90 days ago and its going great. I have a Goniopora that my lfs guy and I fragmented into three pieces. I have a black tubastrea and a few polyps I have no idea what it is. Maybe you guys can help me out. Okay here we go. My list of daily additives.


Kent ChromaPlex - 0.8 ml daily
Kent Turbo Strontium - 1/8 tsp into 1cup water a week
Kent Coral Accel -2drops a day
Kent Phytoplex - 10 drops a day
Kent Coral Vite - 5 drops a day
Kent Coral Builder - 1/8 tsp twice a week a week
Kent Micro Vert - 5 drops a day
Reef Buffer - 1/4 tsp every two weeks
Reef Advantage Calcium - 1/4 tsp twice a week
Seachem Trace Element - 4 drops a day
Cyclopeeze - 1/6 a tsp a day
Marc Weiss Reef Vital DNA - 0.8 ml a day


I am probably overdoing it, yeah I'm sure I am overdoing it. I just want to see which additive is going to help my tank grow. I know if my nitrate levels go up, I need to cut back on the phytoplankton. If alkalinity and ph goes down, I know its the strontium or maybe too much calcium. Maybe I should use kalwasser instead but I heard that affects your magnesium levels. The latest additive I found is Reef Vital DNA. I was reading the label and it says that it basically does everything. We'll see about that. Does anyone have any experience with this? Please give me your two cents. Here are some pictures of how its going right now.

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wow that's a lot... I have to say that I add nothing but the occasional squirt of calcium and top off RO water and my tanks(skimmer free) have been thriving for over 2 years. Im not sure if these things actually help your corals but I have had good luck with just using NSW (natural sea water). Personally I probably wouldn't have a reef if I had to add all of these things eachday. I prefer low maintenace, that's why I am taking apart my 40g. and setting up a 24g. NC, plus I also have my 12 g. DX NC.
Maybe try not adding these things and see if you see any ill effects. In a nano sized reef you hardly need to maximize growth.
Good luck
 
I agree. Just keep up with water changes and that should replenish pretty much anything you need (except food). That way you dont have to worry about overdosing anything.

Keep it simple or it will burn you (and your wallet) out. :)
 
wow first of all, IT THAT A YELLOW TANGT IN A 12G TANK??? please say it is a not.

about your additive. there is no need for a nano tank to dose that much additive. If you are not testing for it, don't add it. Most of those additove you are adding are food for corals, so not only the phytoplankton ir raising your nitrate, the other additive are contributing for it.

A smart way to keep you coral healthy anr growing fast is to keep your calcium level very stable 400-450ppm. too much calcium wont mkae the coral grow faster. that the right level. also choose a good salt mix. I use Tropic Marine and I can tell you that if I had the money I will guaranty that in week you will see the difference in your coral. but I can give no body guaranty since every tank is a differente story.

Try to build a fuge tank, it will help with you water quality and it will bring down your nitrate. also you coral will appreciate this. coral grows in specific areas in teh word, becasue some of them prefere dirty water, some of them not. but the difference is that, any coral will thrive in a cristal clear water, but not every coral will thrive in dirty waters.
 
I think i overdid the strontium. I think it causes the alkalinity to drop right? Who knows, I know my anemone is in trouble. He's not looking so good. Anyone know of any "get healthy quick" schemes?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7443548#post7443548 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kenny77
wow first of all, IT THAT A YELLOW TANGT IN A 12G TANK??? please say it is a not.

Click to expand...
Yes...please do not keep a tang in a nano...PLEASE!:( A NC does not have sufficient lighting for any anemones. Tangs and anemones should never be in new tanks as well. As far as getting your tank back in line...stop dosing and do a succession of water changes to get things back on track. And please consider taking out the tang and anemone.:(
 
I'm very conflicted

I'm very conflicted

I have so much stuff. I just wanted to try it. The problem I am having now is my temp won't stop climbing. Its starting to get hot here is Orange County and my tank is at a dangerous 84 degrees. I really don't want to buy a cooler that cost 300 bucks for a tank that cost me a hundred. Any opinions on this?
 
You could modify it to have another fan in the top of the lid. What pump are you running, and what temp is your A/C kept at?
 
1. Don't add any electrolytes that you don't test for (calcium, magnesium, strontium, iodine, etc). You likely won't need to add much if you are doing regular water changes. Many people seem to be doing 2g per week.

2. You should test regularly for pH and alkalinity, and if either is low, add the appropriate amount of reef buffer.

3. The phyto and zooplankton are fine, and you are correct to be monitoring your nitrates.

4. For your heat issues, first try reversing your fans so that they blow inward. That helped my temps. Also, there are some DIY plans to flatten the reflector in the hood to improve airflow. Let me know if you need me to look them up for you.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7499975#post7499975 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by theop
4. For your heat issues, first try reversing your fans so that they blow inward. That helped my temps. Also, there are some DIY plans to flatten the reflector in the hood to improve airflow. Let me know if you need me to look them up for you.
Click to expand...
Can you elaborate on this? How do you reverse fans? I would like to know about the reflector as well.
 
Tang POLICE! ...

Honestly all you should be dosing with is Reef Buffer and Reef Advantage Calcium.

I addressed dosing with R.B. and R.A.C. VS. Limeater here->
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=833159

Reef Buffer takes care of pH and Alk.

Reef Advantage Calcium takes care of Calcium, Strontium, & Magnesium.

Why are you dosing phytoplankton ... do you have any filter feeders or phyto eating coral?! I don't think the Goniopora needs it ... they are more light hungry.

As far as heat issues ... I had some too I live in Sunnyvale CA and it's hot most of the time ... I just installed (4) 80mm fans on my thread. They have significantly dropped my temperature however increased evap as well.
->
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=711490&perpage=25&pagenumber=18
 
My ac is at 72 most of the day. It's next to the window though. That could be the problem. I did turn the fans to blow air inward. I also have a window fan blowing all day. I heard that I since I have two pumps in there, that could be the reason. I have some zooantheus in there too. I think I spelled that wrong. Anyone know about this species? My lfs guy gave it to me? Also some info on plate corals. I have one that looks like it's glowing orange. theop, how to I flatten out the reflector?
 
Oh yeah, I forgot to updatem I bought zooplankton, cyclopeeze and oyster egs. I just like to buy things that look like they will work well. I know cyclopeeze works well but not too sure on the other too. I know that it cost me like 23 bucks for a little thing of oyster eggs.
 
The only things I have read about flattening the reflector is that thread. I have not done it myself since my tank is staying at about 80 with the fans reversed.


<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7514786#post7514786 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by headtreads
I just like to buy things that look like they will work well.
Click to expand...

Please send me $100 and I'll mail you some "Reef Placebo". It's the best thing for your tank. :)
 
I bought another addition to the supplies closet. REEF VITAL DNA from Marc Weiss Companies. I am going to try the flattening of the heat shield. I will let you know if it worked. I moved my Nano from the window to the other side of the room where the sun don't shine. Now the temperature spiked up to 84 degrees. I am about to smash this crap with a hammer.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7543426#post7543426 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by headtreads
I bought another addition to the supplies closet. REEF VITAL DNA from Marc Weiss Companies.
Click to expand...
Snake Oil.:rolleyes:
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7543426#post7543426 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by headtreads
I bought another addition to the supplies closet. REEF VITAL DNA from Marc Weiss Companies. I am going to try the flattening of the heat shield. I will let you know if it worked. I moved my Nano from the window to the other side of the room where the sun don't shine. Now the temperature spiked up to 84 degrees. I am about to smash this crap with a hammer.
Click to expand...

Be careful what you put where the sun don't shine. :)

I think moving the tank away from sunlight is a good idea. Also you mention you have two pumps. What is the 2nd one and what is the wattage. This could be the root of your problem.
 
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