Calc and Alk important in Softie Tank???

jrockssvt · 08-20-2007, 07:36 AM

I have a 95% softie tank shrooms, recordea, zoas, leathers, and I have been reading a lot lately and it seems that calc and alk are very important in SPS tanks not softie tanks. How regular would you suggest that I test my calcium & Alk?

Also, I have "dead" crushed coral substrate 3" deep in the tank that was once used before when the tank was setup (previous owner), am I going to run into problems with this type of substrate should I add a couple bags of live sand?

Otty · 08-20-2007, 07:55 AM

If you do frequent water changes you may be ok but if you are letting the tank go weeks or months without water changes then you had better be testing to see if you need to be adding anything. It took me about a month and a half of frequent water test to see how the tank runs then after that you can almost tell what you need by the look of the corals.
Make sure you test before you add anything or you will be asking for trouble.

Tangster · 08-21-2007, 02:54 AM

Like OT TY said if you do water changes then you will be fine if not Like myself I don't change water I just added Kent's essential elements at 1/2 recommended dose and that was added 1/2 as often as suggested.
Also your C/C is alive as any other that cost far more .. Its full of bacteria now if its more then a few month old..There is nothing magical about L/sand or rocks its just bacteria that they are paying for..

Oh there are those who would say it all about the bio diversity of the fauna on and in The rock and in the sand . the good bad and ugly only problem is most of the god dies and add problems the bad just breeds more bad and the Ugly will grow from its larval stage and eat your tank (: