[WhatReef]

i have been interested in reefs for the last year or so and 5 months ago i desided to get myself a 90 gallon tank(used) already running saltwater. 2 months later i ended up with bad nitrate problems, turns out my rocks were on top of deep sand and caused build up of crap under neath them and changing the water daily did nothing so i bought a smaller tank 35 gallon and stuck all my corals and fish in there with no filters at all just corals and live rock and a few mangroves and red macro algae now that tank thrived with nothing more than a power head and air stone and heater why i dont really know, im assuming the live rock and mangroves helped out, mind you i only had 1 fish in there(clown). so i have since than set up a brand new 110 gallon tank 48"L X 18"W X 31"H, its realllly nice i love this tank its sooo nice, i have over 100lbs of nice live rock and a bunch of various corals, but i just recently relized i should be testing for Phosphates, Calcium and Magnesium. I have only ever tested for PH, Nitrite, Nitrate, Alkalinity and Sp. Gravity. So im just wonder what would be my best brand of test kits for this and also what levels i should be aiming for some info would be nice seeing as i have over 15 corals and most are doing fine but some are thriving more than others and one or two arent sprouting out like they should (green stars) which isnt a big deal cause they spread like wild fire anyways but i would like to get a stable reef happening. My 110 gallon has been running for about 3 days now mind you are my corals and live running were in running tanks for a couple months so there was no needs to cycle the tank cause everything was already cycled and live so all i really need to know is about testing for Phosphate, Calcium and Magnesium and also if they are low or to high what should i be adding to control these because i have just been adding calcium and micro ver daily every morning and 16 drops on iodine daily and Strontium & Molybdenum every 4 days any tips would be nice cause i want my tank to thrive!!!!!!

[sgarron]

As far as test kits, Salifert, Elos, Sera are quality brands. Check here for parameters.

Reef Aquarium Water Parameters by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

Are you testing for iodine, strontium, etc? Don't add anything to your tank you are not testing for.

[WhatReef]

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

[WhatReef]

Originally Posted by sgarron

As far as test kits, Salifert, Elos, Sera are quality brands. Check here for parameters.

Reef Aquarium Water Parameters by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

Are you testing for iodine, strontium, etc? Don't add anything to your tank you are not testing for.

do you test for other things like Iron, silica, strontium, boron ? and also is it true that you dont really need iodine for reef systems?

[pogodzib]

The only thing that ever needs to be added to reef tanks are calcium and alkalinity. Water changes are enough to keep most other parameters up high enough that your corals aren't affected. Besides for those two additives, magnesium is the only other additive that I recommend. Most other types off additives aren't necessary or could easily harm your tank if dose incorrectly.

Here's a really good article on water parameters in reef tanks.

Reef Aquarium Water Parameters by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

BTW - I'm not a big fan of dosing Iodine, unless you have Xenia in the tank.

[WhatReef]

Originally Posted by pogodzib

The only thing that ever needs to be added to reef tanks are calcium and alkalinity. Water changes are enough to keep most other parameters up high enough that your corals aren't affected. Besides for those two additives, magnesium is the only other additive that I recommend. Most other types off additives aren't necessary or could easily harm your tank if dose incorrectly.

Here's a really good article on water parameters in reef tanks.

Reef Aquarium Water Parameters by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

BTW - I'm not a big fan of dosing Iodine, unless you have Xenia in the tank.

so you dont use micro vert or anything like that just calcium and regular water changes and magnesium how long have your tank or tanks been up and running ?

[sgarron]

I test Nitrate, Clacium, Magnessium, and Alk once a week. PH is monitored by a probe. Like Brian said, weekly water changes keep other trace elements at acceptable levels.

[WhatReef]

my tank is 110 gallon how much water should i change weekly or do you cahneg it bi weekly?

[sgarron]

I do 10% weekly, some people do 20% bi-weekly. Whatever works for you.

[pogodzib]

Originally Posted by WhatReef

so you dont use micro vert or anything like that just calcium and regular water changes and magnesium how long have your tank or tanks been up and running ?

I've recently took down my 5 1/2 yr old, 125 gal reef tank and 4 year old 45 gal reef tanks and replaced them with a 220 gal in-wall tank.

Here's a couple pics of what a tank can look like with only dosing calcium, alk, and magnesium. IMO, you can get better colors out of some SPS corals if your lighting is on the low side while dosing phyto, but it isn't necessary, esp. in a tank dominated by soft or LPS corals.

[sgarron]

http://www.reefbuilders.com/forums/r...180-build.html

[reefcouple]

Brian, your tank is sooo awesomeeeeee!!!!!!! Looks perfect!!!!!!!!

[WhatReef]

[quote=pogodzib;70372]I've recently took down my 5 1/2 yr old, 125 gal reef tank and 4 year old 45 gal reef tanks and replaced them with a 220 gal in-wall tank.

Here's a couple pics of what a tank can look like with only dosing calcium, alk, and magnesium. IMO, you can get better colors out of some SPS corals if your lighting is on the low side while dosing phyto, but it isn't necessary, esp. in a tank dominated by soft or LPS corals.

Your Tank is beutiful i got a few pictures of mine of but i have to figure out how to post them cause the files are to big for posting?

[reefnoob1991]

Calcium, Alkalinity, and Magnesium are 3 big coral helpers, keep those in check and you'll have a happy tank, the rest will be supplemented with water changes and using salt to replenish other elements.

[WhatReef]

ok thanks, so what kind of chemicals do you use?

[WhatReef]

right now im using KENT

[WhatReef]

my tank is roughly 120 gallon and i have just been adding calcium and microvert every morning.

[WhatReef]

Hey guys anythougths on lighting i have a 750wat 3 bulb halide and i think i bleached my tank cause my coraline algae started looking white i hope i did kill me algae but my tongue coral died pretty quick i have 2 daylight bulbs and one blue should i be running all blue lights do you think?

[reefnoob1991]

3x750? Your tank must be like a coral cooking oven!

[reefcouple]

Be careful on the amount of calcium your adding, i like what someone posted "dont add what your not testing" selfert has a calcium test you can buy for about 20 bucks... kind of an odd test but it works good.. you should be around 400, give or take a little.. You can overdose on calcium...

[dinor2]

What's a good magnesium brand to dose with? I don't need it yet, only have 4 very small corals and do weekly water changes... but may need to start that in May after my birthday!

And WOW what a tank! WHY oh WHY is your tank NOT in the tank of the month forum??????!!!!!!!

Since you have so many great looking corals, got any suggestions for what would go well with these in a 55gal?

pineapple brain
yellow polyps
some kind of sea mat
kenya coral

(I'm trying to re create a shallow water indo pacific reef but having a little bit of trouble finding corals that aren't too aggressive AND will do well close together in my 55gal)

Thanks!