SPS LPS Additives for newbie

[maukings]

I've had my 90 gal running for some months now. I have 500w mh fixture running for 7 hours a day. I've been using red sea salt which doesn't seem to be good for reefs. I've had to use seachem buffer to keep my ph at 8.3.

I was given a small sps like this: http://www.liveaquaria.com/images/categories/product/p-26147-stylophora.jpg

I don't have a calcium tester yet but I will purchase the api reef test package. I wanted to know what additives you would suggest for maintaining calcium levels. Eventually, I will get a calcium reactor.

I placed the SPS on the top 3rd of the tank. Only about half of the polyps are showing. Then again it has only been there for a couple of days.

Thank!

 

[NYCBOB]

if u hv only 1 or very few sps, regular water change will provide enough calcium and trace elements for the sps.

 

[Palting]

I am a noob as well, but have been putting SPS in for a bit now, and have read and researched quite a bit about dosing. A few pointers from a fellow noob, and the more experienced can chime in and correct me.

1. Never dose anything you can not test for. I use Salifert for Ca and alk/hardness, which as I understand it are the two basic required tests for dosing.

2. Having SPS/LPS/coraline by itself is not a requirement for dosing. Using quality salt and regular water changes will suffice early on. The time to dose is when the required parameters can no longer be sustained by simple water changes.

I have been using Reef Crystals in 10% system volume weekly WC, with several SPS, LPS, and a current ongoing coraline bloom, and I test just before each water change. Calcium continuous to be @ 440, dKh 8, pH 8.2.

Hope this helps. If I'm wrong, I hope to learn as well from the gurus.

 

[maukings]

Thanks guys,
palting can you tell me more about reef crystals? Are you happy with it? I keep getting mixed reviews.

 

[Palting]

I am perfectly happy with it. Dissolves fast, no clumps, easy to open and reseal on the pail. I briefly switched to NeoMarine reef salt, and that had a distinctive odor to it, took longer to dissolve, and I hated the lid on the pail. Plus, I saw a pic someone posted of their tour at the gigantic facility of Foster and Smith aquatics. They had a stack of giant bags of.........Reef Crystals .

 

[muttley000]

my last 2 batches of reef crystals only mixed at 360 using salifert calcium tests. Search out Randy's 2 part dosing for tons of info. I only have a single SPS in my system, but the weekly water changes and calcium I dose to get up to 400 seem to be keeping it happy.

 

[Palting]

my last 2 batches of reef crystals only mixed at 360 using salifert calcium tests. Search out Randy's 2 part dosing for tons of info. I only have a single SPS in my system, but the weekly water changes and calcium I dose to get up to 400 seem to be keeping it happy.

What's your SG? I consistently get 420-440 on Salifert when I go with an SG of 1.026.

 

[muttley000]

1.026 and Alk 8.3?? Thought it was my test kit, but new salifert read the same. I'll still use the salt in the future, have a brand new box I'll be cracking open when I premix after the next water change. Don't get me wrong, I think its a quality mix, and the 360 I measure is probably fine as long as it's stable. I have never had the crust in the bottom of my mixing container like some people have complained about.

 

[maukings]

interesting stuff. quick questions. Is it normal that i'm not getting good polyp extension after only a day in my tank? Or is a matter or placement?