need supplement advice

[NoobieNemo]

I need some suppliments to put in my tank to replace minerals/tracel elements and all that good stuff...Can someone please recommend some good stuff to use?

how is the kent marine or marc weiss stuff?

thanks

Noobie

 

[marduc]

The general consensus you are going to find around here is to not supplement anything that you do not test for. Trace elements should get replaced via regular water changes, not from some unknown "snake oil" in a bottle.

The only things that I dose the tank with are calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium. Calcium and alkalinity both via lime, and magnesium from a solution of epsom salts and water (rarely need to add magnesium).

read this:

How to guide for beginners part 2: What chemicals must be supplemented

 

[NoobieNemo]

I don't have time for water changes...

 

[Aquarist007]

I second it--measure before you dose------what you add also depends on the life you are trying to support?

 

[AZDesertRat]

If you don't have time for water changes then you really don't want to start adding supplements. Things can really go downhill when elements start accumulating. I am a firm believer in "If you can't test for it don't add it."

 

[Aquarist007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10185075#post10185075 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by AZDesertRat
If you don't have time for water changes then you really don't want to start adding supplements. Things can really go downhill when elements start accumulating. I am a firm believer in "If you can't test for it don't add it."

I'm glad someone with more experience than me said this---I was tempted though---how do you keep a tank without ever changing the water?

 

[WaterKeeper]

To me if you don't have time for a water change then you really won't have a successful tank. Let's face it--a tank takes a daily routine of care. Emptying the skimmer cup, testing water parameters, cleaning the glass, target feeding inverts and so forth takes time. Routine water changes don't take very long once you set up a system. They pay off handsomely in keeping a tank it tip top shape.

Beware---Additives lead to the Dark side of the Force; Avoid them you must.:strooper:

 

[NoobieNemo]

i've had my tank for years...and havent had any problems with it...haven't done a water change in years either...

corals and fish are healthy and the rocks look great...

 

[Aquarist007]

I agree 100%---the only thing I am guilty of not doing is changing the protein skimmer daily--since I switched to a 3600mag and micron filter bag it doesn't seem to work as hard.

 

[Aquarist007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10185573#post10185573 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by NoobieNemo
i've had my tank for years...and havent had any problems with it...haven't done a water change in years either...

corals and fish are healthy and the rocks look great...

then I am curious for the reason behind your post---if you are going with the above philosophy for tank maintenance and I know lots of other people that don't believe in water changes--but they also go under the impression that "if it ain't broken it don't need fixen"

 

[Shagsbeard]

There are different solutions to the same problem. Water changes get the vote of most experienced people here because the benifits are many fold and outweigh the costs. Suppliments can work fine to and if use correctly can lessen the need to perform water changes.

Coming here for advice and then ignoring it is sign of mental illness.