What supplements are you using?

Pillz · 05-24-2006, 01:38 PM

Right now Im not really dosing anything into my tank, I just went and check all my water prams. and this is what I came out with

am-0
Na-less than 10
Ni-0
PH-8.0
Ca-400
alk-2.2dKh!!!

What do you guys dose with and how do you like it. I have tried limewater and its alright, but I keep hearing that some of the supplements out there are much better. Give me a rating to 1-10 of how much you like it and why.

darren24 · 05-24-2006, 01:47 PM

I dose a 2 part called Kent Marine Tech CB Part A and B. It maintains my calcium around 400 and alkalinity around 9.5 dkh. I get it from marinedepot.com.

Schwaggs · 05-24-2006, 01:48 PM

CA Reactor all the way! No other additives other than semi monthly 20% water changes

BRI690 · 05-24-2006, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darren24

I dose a 2 part called Kent Marine Tech CB Part A and B. It maintains my calcium around 400 and alkalinity around 9.5 dkh. I get it from marinedepot.com.

I used the same thing and really liked the results.
I would also sometimes use the Kent Liquid Reactor as well

However I recently switched to the Kent Nanoreef part A and B for other trace elements.

mojo · 05-24-2006, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schwaggs

CA Reactor all the way! No other additives other than semi monthly 20% water changes

Same as Schwaggs...

revhtree · 05-24-2006, 03:55 PM

To raise your alkalinity you can use baking soda, not washing, but baking. I will look for a link for you on this.

wise one · 05-24-2006, 04:31 PM

I use randys homemade two part its been holding my cal + alk steady for about 3 mounth my alk is 11.2 and cal is 420 I dose it every morning

goodfortune · 05-24-2006, 05:07 PM

Hey Pillz:

Does your test kit measure alkalinity as dKH or meq/l? You might want to double-check, as having an alkalinity that low would have likely put stress on your corals that you would have noticed.

If the test kit you are using measures in meq/l, multiply that number by 2.8 to get your alkalinity in dKH.

The aceptable range for alkalinity in a reef tank, expressed in meq/l, is 2.9-4.3 meq/l (the same as 8-12 dkH after unit conversions).

HTH,
Michael

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pillz

Right now Im not really dosing anything into my tank, I just went and check all my water prams. and this is what I came out with

am-0
Na-less than 10
Ni-0
PH-8.0
Ca-400
alk-2.2dKh!!!

What do you guys dose with and how do you like it. I have tried limewater and its alright, but I keep hearing that some of the supplements out there are much better. Give me a rating to 1-10 of how much you like it and why.

GLXTRIX · 05-24-2006, 05:16 PM

I use to use 2 little fishies suppliments and that was ok, but now I'm using seachems reef complete (ment to buy the reef advantage calcium, but still works just as nice) and Reef carbonate, with reef buffer here and there, and I love it! I would go with a reactor, but I dont kow if they are worth it for such a small tank; anyone have any arguments to that? I guess I need to read a lil more up on those.

wise one · 05-24-2006, 06:35 PM

go to rc and check the chemistry forum look at randys 2 part its cheap as heck to make and a lot more potent that 2lil fishes or kents just add it everyday in the morning before the lights go on it won't raise your cal or alk but it will maintain them, If needed you can then raise the alk with baking soda and cal with something like turbo calcium

wise one · 05-24-2006, 06:46 PM

I forgot to mention , a 2pt balanced additive is what you want. When you start trying to do it with a weekly supplements of buffer then calcium it will become a see saw effect. cal gos up alk go's down -alk gos up cal gos down your water chemistry will get all out of whack and can get a quite bit frustrating just take a look at the rc chemistry forum

gwen_o_lyn · 05-24-2006, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GLXTRIX

I would go with a reactor, but I dont kow if they are worth it for such a small tank; anyone have any arguments to that? I guess I need to read a lil more up on those.

I wouldn't get a ca reactor unless I wasn't able to maintain ca by dosing. So until you are at that point, I don't think you would need one.

Pillz · 05-25-2006, 01:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goodfortune

Hey Pillz:

Does your test kit measure alkalinity as dKH or meq/l? You might want to double-check, as having an alkalinity that low would have likely put stress on your corals that you would have noticed.

If the test kit you are using measures in meq/l, multiply that number by 2.8 to get your alkalinity in dKH.

The aceptable range for alkalinity in a reef tank, expressed in meq/l, is 2.9-4.3 meq/l (the same as 8-12 dkH after unit conversions).

HTH,
Michael

I did it again, and im using the Salifert kit. Its deff 2.2 dKh, the corals dont seem to mind it.. I guess they could always look better though.

After doing a little I want to start using Randys 2 part dosing. But the problem is finding dowflake. how can I get a hold of some?

Schwaggs · 05-25-2006, 03:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gwen_o_lyn

I wouldn't get a ca reactor unless I wasn't able to maintain ca by dosing. So until you are at that point, I don't think you would need one.

I dissagree. I had problems keeping both alk and CA at the proper levels using chemical additives. Once I got a CA reactor, they take care of themselves.

xaoss23 · 05-25-2006, 07:42 AM

I'm going to disagree as well... other levels are being affected when using the 2part (ie, magnesium). With the Ca Reactor, your getting a much more efficent way of introduction. The only reason I dont have one on my 30 is space.

If your planed biotope is primarily SPS/LPS then you'll probably need a bit of CA in there. Just keep an eye on your ammounts. Once you get to the point that youre dosing high ammounts daily, you might as well break down and get a reactor. (Besides, you know its only a matter of time until you upgrade...lol)

(btw... good catch Michael)