Additive question...

[susan]

While I was at the LFS, I was asking about additives to make your tap water safe and what's good to promote a heathy tank with LR, LS, and other critters.
I'm told to use tap water conditioner- premixed with top off water. This removes Chlorine, Chloramine, Copper, Lead, and Zink. Is sufficient?
I'm also told to use Tropic Marin (the Calcium/Iron one) to promote the pretty purple stuff on my rocks. Is this sufficient/good?
Are there other important additives I should be adding? And should I use the Tropic Marin while my tank is cycling?
(I'm planning on starting up next weekend with a 55gal using 120lbs LS and 60-80lbs "cured" LR.)
Thanks!

 

[broomer5]

Susan
If you are setting this 55 up with tapwater use a dechlorinator/conditioner for sure.
Amquel is good, there are many on the market.
Use a dechorinator in all tap water that goes into your tank - either fresh for topoffs, or when mixing salt.
Excellent that you asked them about that, and they gave you good advise.
I would not be too concerned with adding any additives while the tank is cycling.
Just mix your saltwater and get it to temperature, correct pH, proper salinity ( specific gravity ) and let it run a day or two with just water. You don't have to do this 1-2 day run ... I just always have to let everything become a little more stable and to check out the filter(s)s and heater(s) are working right.
When all looks good with your water, add the live rock and sand.
IMO - After you tank has cycled, start adjusting your calcium, alkalinity and pH to proper levels.
This is the key to promoting good coralline growth.
Everything else in my opinion is marketing hype, or a lfs wanting some more of your money.
Good luck on setting up your tank.

 

[marine fanatic]

AmQuel is pretty decent and fairly cheap. I switched to Prime since it received much more praise for it's performance.......but AmQuel will work fine as a dechlorinator.

 

[susan]

I had originally been thinking about getting AmQuel, but I didn't see on the bottle that it removes copper. That's why I was asking about the conditioner since it does. What do you do for copper if you use AmQuel (or does it remove it and just not say so?)
Thanks for your input!