Do I need to add anything to my water for corals?

[am00re34]

I just got some Xenia and colt coral frags from a buddy of mine and these are my first corals. He was saying he adds things to his water to "feed" them, but i can't find anywhere i need to.
What do you need to do to prep your tank for coral? do i need to add iodine or phyto?

 

[kevin34]

You shouldnt have to add anything to the water for the corals but you can add stuff like cyclopeeze (not sure if thats spelled right). They should be fine with good water quality and proper lighting though.

 

[petjunkie]

Xenia and leathers will do fine just filter feeding, they don't actively eat.

 

[michaeltx]

I agree mine are great with just the lighting. a good invert food occasionally added doesnt hurt. look for kents microvert food or something similar.
mike

 

[mx mr bean]

i suppose they do alright without any supplements but i like to had a little bit of iodine every week (sometimes twice) for the xenia. also phyto wouldnt hurt to dose in once a week. i prefer zo plankton and cyclopeeze. Not only will ur corals (xenia's) eat it but fish will suck it in almost faster than the corals. good luck

 

[petjunkie]

Iodine is very easy to overdose and can become toxic, if you are dosing anything you should be testing for it to be safe.

 

[am00re34]

i went to the LFS last night and they told me the only thing i really should have now is iodine and if i wanted a plankton supplement that never hurts. (pretty much excatly what Mr. Bean said). So i bought Kent's Iodine solution and added a capful last night (i have a 55 gallon tank) and will do so every week.
But petjunkie is right, i dont currently have a test for it, but i should have one.

 

[earlybird]

Originally Posted by Am00re34
.
But petjunkie is right, i dont currently have a test for it, but i should have one.
No offense but if you don't know if you need it or not why add it? You're iodine levels may be perfect before dosing. Waste of money imo.
According to aaltwater guru Randy Holmes-Farley Iodine in natural seawater is 0.06ppm and "control not recommended."

 

[am00re34]

well in that case what things do you add to your water??? anything?

 

[miaheatlvr]

I just from routine,, add Calcium, Stontium, and Iodine like once every two weeks,, nothing i have needs to be spot fed other than the Anemone, and i add cyclopeeze and DT'S once every two weeks.. AND keep up with your water changes.

 

[michaeltx]

I want to warn everyone about blindy doseing the tank or telling others to do so. These are only a small percentage of elements called trace elements!
If overdosed they can become toxic and wipe out the tank.
PLEASE do not add anything with a test kit to make sure of what the levels are to begin with!! I would hate to see someone posting their tank is crashing and list they were doseing iodine daily or something.
mike