Newb Questions

JamieC77 · 01-04-2008, 10:33 AM

I have a 55 that I will be setting up soon and I want to add coral at some point. I plan to used live sand mixed with Carib Sea Aragonite Sand. I also have a Red Sea Berlin Turbo Protein Skimmer rated for up to 250 gallons. I am in the process of building a sump as well. So I have answered a lot of my questions from searching the site but I still have a few.

1. Do most people always use RO water for saltwater?
2. Is T5 lighting good for coral or is there something better? (other than metal hallide (sp?)
3. Should you use supplements for coral?
4. If so what kind?

Thanks in advance! Jamie

Nemo 22 · 01-04-2008, 10:40 AM

yes most of us do use ro water.better and safer.(i did use tap water in my tank in an emergency and it actually cleared up some algae for some odd reason)t5 is good for coral metal halide are often expensive.t5 is too but its good. some do use supplements some dont.depends on who you talk to.as you will find out every case is different.

baugherb · 01-04-2008, 10:41 AM

I know I'm gonna get hung over this one... It is best to use RO water for salt. I don't and neither does my lfs... But everyone else does, so long story short I would go with the majority vote and I'm sure you'll find out soon enough that you should use RO water.... and oh yeah>>>> Welcome fellow Newbian......

reef_guru · 01-04-2008, 11:39 AM

ro/di is a good choice, less problems
depending on the corals t5's will work, so will led's, mh, pc and theres always something better
depending on what corals, you dont have a choice but to supplement
what kind depends on the corals: liquid or solid, theres a long list

JamieC77 · 01-04-2008, 11:58 AM

Thanks for the help guys! I figured RO water would be best but just wanted to make sure b4 I spend that much money on one!

My lfs has a t5 light and b/c I hm buying most of my stuff from them he said he would sell it to my for $100, I am pretty sure this is a good deal? So as far a supplement I should just see what I need as I add coral? Is this what most of you do? Thanks again! Jamie

aquaboy · 01-04-2008, 12:43 PM

how many bulbs? what kind of fixture? and yes RO is best, i tho8ught i could do without it for a while, but the algae convinced me otherwise, RO is being ordered this weekend

. If you do weekly or biweekly water changes you should be okay without supplements, but i always keep a collection in case i need something rectified and a water change isnt really possible. (I go to school at 6:30 so i really cant do a water change at 6:25) You may want to get some epsom salts (magnesium), baking soda (PH), liquid calcium, and some buffer (Alkalanity). i occasionally dose iodine and strontium+molybdenun. And dont worry im a noob too.....

lunatik_69 · 01-04-2008, 12:46 PM

Welcome Jamie, Every1 does what works for them, so its gonna be trail and error. I do have a R/O system at home. As for supplements, All I use is Reef Solutions(for trace elements) and Kent's Marine OSMO to add to the top off water. The OSMO keeps my water chemistry at the levels that I want. I hope this has helped, Luna.

JamieC77 · 01-04-2008, 05:21 PM

Thanks Guys!

Quote:

Originally Posted by aquaboy

how many bulbs? what kind of fixture? and yes RO is best, i tho8ught i could do without it for a while, but the algae convinced me otherwise, RO is being ordered this weekend

. If you do weekly or biweekly water changes you should be okay without supplements, but i always keep a collection in case i need something rectified and a water change isnt really possible. (I go to school at 6:30 so i really cant do a water change at 6:25) You may want to get some epsom salts (magnesium), baking soda (PH), liquid calcium, and some buffer (Alkalanity). i occasionally dose iodine and strontium+molybdenun. And dont worry im a noob too.....

I'm not sure how many bulbs it has I wanna say 4 but I will check and tell ya.

jasno999 · 01-07-2008, 04:54 AM

RO/DI water is best but only really required if your locak tap water needs to be filtered. Some people have very good and very purified tap water that is low in disolved organics and phosphate. You could do some tests of your tap water first to see all the levels or just play it safe and get the RO system. A DI cartrige also helps.

As for lights it depends on coral as people have said. But you could do a T5 on a 55 gallon and keep a good variety of stuff.

Supplements depend on what the tank needs and how often you do water changes. If you want to do water changes less often you should really monitor your water parameters and add what is needed. Otherwise if you do bi-weekley water changes you might not need to add any supplements.