Supplements

[mdq]

I just started adding corals to my reef tank recently so far I have several types of mushroom polyps, a colt coral, a small leather, and colony polyps. I want to start adding supplements to improve growth rates and also because Id like to experiment with propagating some of the mushrooms. Im a little lost as to what I need and what the best products are and any advice is definitley appreciated. Also I live a very active lifestyle so ease of use is very important to me.

[Casey]

You dont need to add anything just good clean water good lighting and skimming and those things will take off.

[XxN00bxX]

Life? Sounds like you haven't been reefkeeping long enough

[Mrs Smith]

Casey is dead on, as usual.

Don't bother with supplements. They're a waste of time and money. (And this is already a money-intensive thing. The time gets much easier as the tank settles in.) Oh, and the mushroooms will propogate themselves. It might take them a couple of months to get established, but they are notorious for being quick multipliers.

[wharyat]

I would have to say theat you might want to add a calcium additive for your coralline. snails, and other calcium using crits. Kalkwasser or liquid calcium. If you do decide to do a calcium additive, make sure you have a test kit and keep levels @ 350-400.

[aussiereefer82]

Yep thats right dont add anything. The only thing most of us add to our systems usually are calcium supplements either via kalkwasser or a 2 part calcium mix. When using a good quality salt mix and ro/di water, all of the vital elements should be included in the salt mix, so with regular water changes these elements are replenished. Adding coral supplements and things like iodine will only pollute the water and be skimmed out, a complete waste. If for some reason you think you may be lacking a certain element get a high quality test kit (salifert) and test before supplementing.

Dont waste yor money and pollute your water with these supplements.

HTH.

[Loverotties]

I agree with Casey too!

[tdwyatt]

I love reading posts like this!





btw, water changes of 10% every week will make all the necessary supplements you need so long as you use a quality ASW mix. The more you put into the tank, the more you have to export, as that is the only way most of the stuff will leave the tank. The rate of biomass sequestering of nutrients in closed systems will prolly not even need replacement every two weeks, but this is the cheap insurance rule of thumb.

Calcium and alk suplementation in systems with dense hermatypic coral pops, occasional target feeding, and 10% to 20% water changes every one to two weeks will take care of the nutritional and supplemental requirements for corals and fishes in reef systems, and the water changes will help remove some of the waste and excess nutritional substnces that end up in the water colum as well.


great posts folks!


HTH

[sausageman]

I'd say just stick with kalkwasser, if you want to see some good coralline growth, other then that, everyone else said it. Do regular water changes, keep on skimmin, and lighting. Things i've lacked in the past, and lucked out on and not losing corals. for my new 55, I got a strict plan that I am keeping down with.
good luck to ya

[Krux]

tom you are making a convert of everyone!

the above advice is about as good as it is going to get