Supplements

[jlfnjlf]

Hello All,

I am fairly new to reef keeping, and I am seeing a lot of propaganda about supplements/additives in fish magazines.

At this point in time I am looking information and opinions about the vast array of products available. I am using Instant Ocean salt, and it is my understanding regular water changes (30% every 30 days or so) will replace depleted trace elements in the water. My plan is to only keep soft corals and a few LPS. I have the Hagen 10 parameter test kit and Salifert Alkalinity test kit, and I am keeping record of the water parameters on a weekly basis.

So what about all these products? Most of them seem like snake-oil, but what if I am missing something.

I am not posting for a what should I do type of an answer, but I am looking for information on what has worked and what has not worked for others. After gathering your feedback I plan to further research what would be best for my tank.

It is my hope to learn from the group before I start using any additives. I am however still researching the use of Kalkwasser if my Ca/Alk readings are not stable.

Thank you all,

John

 

[Reefugee]

John,

First off, you should only does supplements that you can measure for. A lot of people supplement only Mg and Ca. But those are people with lots of SPS.

If you are keeping mostly soft corals and a few LPS - water changes should be fine. Depending on how heavily stocked (fish wise) you are, you may or may not need a 30% water change every 30 days. You would actually be better off with a smaller but more frequent water change. 30% water change at any one time can be stressful to corals and fish. If your really set on a lot of water changes, then do 10% every other week instead of 30% once a month. The only time I would recommend more than a 20% water change is if there is something serious with your tank.

I wouldn't worry about Kalkwasser unless you have a lot of SPS or other stony corals. Don't buy supplements, save you money, and buy more corals.

Any good luck.

Minh

 

[dots]

I agree with the Snake oil analogy....I think Kent sells alot of stuff that isn't needed.

There are different theories on the water changes. 30% a month is a good method, that I practice myself.

Depending on your livestock in your tank you may get away with only doing water changes for supplementation and replenishment of trace elements, many do this but have softies and limited LPS only. With this method you may need to do the week changes.

However, I would recommend in the 30 day change and get into dosing B-ionic two part Alk/Ca. A light loaded tank with LPS, the smaller bottles would last you quite awhile.

What you are trying to accomplish ultimatly is keeping your Alk and Ca at a constant level. You can do that with more frequent water changes or supplemtation with a two part.

Aside from some phytoplankton occassionally and frozen foods for your fish every other day, that is all that you would need to add.

Less is more IMO

For example: I feed every other day, do a 30% water change monthly, test alk daily before the addition of B-ionic by ESV

 

[bsaastad]

My regimen sounds a lot like sacramentodots's, except I do smaller more frequent water changes (10-12% weekly). I use IO Reef Crystals. I used to try and dose Mg, I, blah, blah, blah but found that with a decent salt everything pretty much stays in check. I use a kalk slurry most evenings for Ca/Alk maintenance, and use B-Ionic if Ca/Alk levels start drifting down.

Basically (repeating above) don't add what you can't test, and don't add much. A good salt will pretty much handle your trace elements.

 

[CaliforniaDreamer]

I agree with the others, most of the supplements are useless at best. My only comment is that with IO (which I really like and use) you should check the Ca, Alk, and Mg levels whenever you mix a new batch. I always find the Ca low and have found the Mg low in one bag I bought. I also raise the Alk to a level more to my liking. (Ca 430, dKh 10, Mg 1320, sg 1.026) I use DowFLake, MagFlake (from group buy) and baking soda. I find with the higher Alk my ph seems more stable.

 

[robertloop]

Hi John,

I agree with Sac dots about the b-ionic idea. The two part additive is so easy. And when starting out you will not have a huge kh load. Just dose b-ionic to keep the alk in check all your softies will love you. (the Ca will stay fine using b-ionic)

I also agree with californiadreamer. As you achieve more and more live stock you may start going through alot of b-ionic. This can get a little spendy if using alot. As you gain experience in the hobby in keeping ion balance (kh and CA) you can go with dowflake and soda and make your own two part suppliment. I like my dkh about 10 and Ca at 400. The only other suppliment I use is amino acids. The additions really seem to help the color of corals.

Now.... do I do my water changes on time every time? Baaaahaaaaahaaaahaaaaaaaaa.............. riiiiiiiiggghtttt

I'm suprised the reef police hav'nt been here.