Additive advice needed

ok, this is what I have purchased for additives. My goal is keeping some soft corals (few) and anemones (my main goal). I am working on lighting (upgrading) and filtering (I currently run a Fluval canister but am looking at other options to help lower nitrates because I don't maintain it as much as I should). I run phosguard and carbon in my canister at the moment. I do not have a sump. I have a 54 gallon corner tank with a ton of live rock that I've had for 15+ years so it is mature. I have a FOWLR currently.

I purchased Weiss' Coral Vital and Reef Trace elements. Will this be adequate to maintain good coralline algae growth with my proposed stock? Beyond coralline growth, will this combination be adequate for soft corals and anemones? I have dosed kalk in the past....should I continue to do that in addition to the additives? Any and all advice from helpful reef keepers is appreciated!!

 

What salt mix are you using?

What test kit are you using?

Until you get an idea of the utilization of your tank for those trace elements and the big 3 than I would not advise dosing anything.

A quality salt mix and routine water changes should be more than sufficient in a newly set up tank or any tank not dominated by stony corals, overtaken by coralline algae or housing clams.

JM2C

 

I use Instant Ocean salt. I will admit that I have not tested the big 3 in a while. Makes sense that I test before additives. I have some coralline now but would really like to increase the purple. Just wondered if people had used the coral vital. What test kit do you recommend?

In the old days when I kept a reef (many years ago), I always struggled with nitrates. I am so amazed at the advances made in this hobby since that time (lighting, filtering, devices). I've found this site so useful! People are so helpful.

 

I have never used Coral Vital oldfishkeeper

but I did some searching around and about
feel free to Google it yourself , but the consensus of opinions out there is that this product is mostly sugar water and smells a bit like fermenting apple juice

some of the more positive people did indicate that the sugars would fuel bacterial growth
( carbon dosing) and that corals could benefit from that in terms of having bacteria to feed on and as such used cautiously is unlikely to harm anything in your aquarium, but if used excessively could result in cyno (which is a bacteria) and other nuisance algae issues etc (same deal with any type liquid food supplement)

some of the less positive people indicated that the only purpose it does serve is to part you from your money

I have certainly had my fair share of products that fall into that category

 

Dag....in looking on the threads and other places, I see people recommending the 2 part calcium additives. Is that a better way to go? What is most up to date consensus among experienced reefers regarding how to keep calcium levels up. As you can see, when I did have a reef (cough, cough - many years ago).....kalkwasser drip was the best. Coral Vital was new on the market getting promising results.

I don't want to add a reactor nor do I have the money (two kids in college this year). The kids are the reason I had to give up reef keeping many years ago. I maintained my FOWLR during their growing up years. Although nice, it doesn't compare to the beauty of a reef. I am especially intrigued by the clown/anemone relationship. I know that anemones can be harder to keep than corals. Keep the input coming! I'm trying to filter through it all and find something to work with my existing system for the least cost.

I've viewed a lot of the tanks on here and some simply take my breath away!! I've officially got the fever again.

 

oldfishkeeper

Kalkwasser is still a method used by a number of reef keepers in order to maintain calcium and alkalinity
and depending on what corals you keep in that 54, combined with the amount of evaporation you experience, may be the perfect manner for you

you will probably find that whilst you are stocking the aquarium, doing routine water changes, using a decent quality salt mix, will maintain your Ca and Alk
as your stock increases, if it is mostly soft corals, you may still find water changes alone are adequate

if your focus changes to the stony corals and clams for example, you may find at this stage, you will need to consider supplementing Calcium, Alkalinity and Magnesium

you will need test kits for those parameters - I like Salifert, but there are other options

testing those on a weekly basis, whilst stocking your tank will tell you, if and when you need to consider supplementing the big 3 (calcium, alkalinity and magnessium

Steve

 

I dose B-Ionic 2 part and Vinegar in my tank and that is all that I dose, I have honestly NEVER been happier with the color and growth of my corals as well as the INSANE amount of coralline algae growth that I get

I used to think I needed every chemical additive on the market but slowly realized that sometimes less really is more, The B-Ionic is honestly the best thing I have ever done for my tank to promote color and growth
I would suggest looking into dosing the 2 part and discontinue the other stuff, Also FWIW the Marc Weiss stuff is GARBAGE!
I used to work next door to him and saw how he made his "miracle snake oils" and thats exactly what they are "snake oils"

 

+ everyone, I'd drop all dosing and just keep up with WCs as long as you stick with soft corals and LPS.

I just started dosing kalk due to my 3 clams. Its alot easier IMO than maintaining a dosing schedule and cheaper. Unless you're going to invest in proper test kits and a dosing pump, I'd just use kalk in your top off water. Easier and cheaper

http://www.3reef.com/forums/water-chemistry/kalk-ato-how-much-138021.html

 

hmmmm......decisions, decisions......that's what I love about the advice here. Sure sorry to hear about the snake oil at least I didn't spend a ridiculous amount of money on it. I still have my fancy, dancy kalkwasser drip (gallon jub with an IV drip). I just set it at the beginning of the day and it drips at a great rate. I just about need 1 every other day for my top off. It's cheap, that's for sure. I know that anemones need trace elements. I always like to keep my calcium up for the coralline growth on my live rock. I just know that when I upgrade my lights, I may be dealing with more green and want the purple to win!

 

just noticed that I need to proofread before I hit post Keep advice coming......