Additives...?

[matt819]

Ok, I've had my 55 up and going for for about 6 weeks now and I've done a %25 water change after the 4th week and plan on doing another one this weekend, say 10 gals. I'm now using RO water for the changes...to begin with I used tap (I realized too late this was bad). I just got most of the LR I need inside the tank, about 60lbs total and 60lbs LS...my two chromis seem to be doing just fine. I know the RO water has a low pH, and this brought me to thinking of other things I could or should be adding to the water in my tank...I've been looking around and there's just so many different products (calcium, magnesium, strontium or whatever....kalkwasser)...just wondering what the experience has to say about what should be added to a developing tank...just FOWLR right now...soon to be reef w/ soft corals.

 

[jmick]

IMO, most additives are a complete waste of money. Kalk is the only thing extra I add to my tank each time I top off. Also, if needed I will use DHK buffer. With these two products my PH hangs around 8.4.

 

[kdfrosty]

I dont use any additives at all. I just rely on weekly water changes. If your pH is low, there are a few things you can try. Make sure the surface of the water is rippled with flow. Also, either use an eggcrate top or no top at all. This will create better gas exchange, causing a rise in pH levels.
Also, make sure that you are testing the pH in your tank half way through day, and not in the first couple of hours the lights come on.

 

[bunnyl99]

I thought if you used a protein skimmer & RO water, you needed to replace some elements? Also why test the PH at a certain time of day?

 

[bunnyl99]

any ideas out there?

 

[kdfrosty]

I use a protein skimmer and RO water. I count on my salt to replace trace elements. That's why I do weekly/bi-weekly water changes.
pH fluctuates throughout the photoperiod, raising as the lights have been on longer. That's why I recommended testing midday.

 

[matt819]

that was just what I needed, thanks. So am I right when I say that I'm running a skimmer and using RO water so I should change less water...just more frequently? I just bought a coralife needlewheel super skimmer...just thought I'd mention that cause it's a relatively new product, and it works great, I love it!

 

[kdfrosty]

I change 10% about every 10 days.