iodine and protein skimmer in softies only tank

No, it's not needed as spores are airborne and once food is present in the form of ammonia, the bacteria will develop.
I've been told that it happens faster with bottle bacteria but IMO, if I don't need it I don't spend the money on it as the tanks cycle fast enough for me.
Trying to do things faster can lead to expectations of other things happening faster and that can often lead to disasters.

 

what about topups (with kalk) on holidays? as the calcium levels might go low coz of stony corals.

 

Holidays are the same as any days for me when it comes to my seahorses.
If I'm away, a fish sitter does all that I would do while I'm away.
If I'm just to be away for a day, I don't bother bringing anyone in so they just go the day without food and they're ok with that.
As for the kalk top up, I generally top up a little over the line the night before I'm away for the day, and then bring it back to the line the night after. That minimizes the effects instead of doubling the kalk the day after.

 

well i was asking that what if no1z there at home may be for a couple of days, then what u do about the topups? weel il have to face this problem in future as there is no1 who knows anything about aquarium. can i go for a drip method (tried) or temperary gravity float valve as its cheaper(never tried)?

 

When I go away there is no one at home but I took the time to check out neighbours to find one I could trust. I've trained him to do the things that have to be done while I'm away, plus, I leave notes for specific instructions just to remind him if he forgets something. He knew nothing about aquariums before I taught him.
As for dripping, I think there are automated devices people use but in my case I don't want it entering the tanks in the daytime as the kalk increases pH.
My sitter can do what I do and that is to let it siphon into the sump from a container above using a piece of air line tubing.
You just have to try something and see if it works for you but do it before you go away so you know ahead of time if it will work.

 

well i dont have any neighbours who would do rhis for me even for money. lol. even if i do, ill have to mix the kalk. in the water and go. i would like to know how long would the effects of kalk stay in the topup water, would it reduce if i mix and go for say a week or something?

 

If the container with the kalk in it is left sealed with no air inside, the kalk will last longer than any holiday you will take in your lifetime. However, with exposure to air, the properties change and more precipitate occurs.
I think you will have to start a thread specifically on dosing kalk while on holidays and hope that someone with an automated system experience can help you.
I do know that over a bit of time, limewater can clog valves and lines and reduce/stop flow, but I don't know just how long that might be.

 

i guess ur right. i really dont have anyone who can take care.