need help with coral

xxxgreg

xxxgreg

Member
Ok Im new to coral and Im not geting very much help from my lfs I want to add some Xenia and some Green Star Polyp. One guy says I only need to add some iodine to my water and ill be good. the the other says that they will die because I use tap water. I dont know what to do becasue im being told to many things. I know im not the only person that uses tap water and all my levels are great .
so please tell me what I need to keep the above corels???
tank is 55g
good lighting
skimmer
2 power head
use reef crystals salt mix
and have no plans to use ro/di water
 
hot883

hot883

Active Member
Need to provide answers to questions from engineer and TXReef before we can help IMO. But IMO tapwater is not an option.
 
xxxgreg

xxxgreg

Member
tank has been up and runing for 2 1/2 months with lr and outside filter.
sg 1.025
ph 8.0
nitrite 0
nitate 0
ammonia 0
temp 80
the lights are dual 65 watt with moon lights
 
hot883

hot883

Active Member
Originally Posted by xxxgreg
tank has been up and runing for 2 1/2 months with lr and outside filter.
sg 1.025
ph 8.0
nitrite 0
nitate 0
ammonia 0
temp 80
the lights are dual 65 watt with moon lights
are the lights the length of the tank? 48"?
 
O

oreo12

Guest
Ok you do not have to add iodine. Second you should not use the tap water. If you do a weekly 10% water change useing RO water you will add all the addatives these corals requer. I have both of these corals in 3 difrent tanks. I tried doing what you are doing using the tap water and adding the iodine. My corals survied but that was all they did once I began the 10% water changes useing the RO fillter they began to grow in fact all the xiena in my 75 has came out of the trimmings of my 55.
 
tx reef

tx reef

Active Member
Start with the star polyps and/or some mushrooms. If everything goes okay, then move on to the xenia and other things.The elements that the LFS is telling you to add will be replenished through regular water changes.
Definately quit using tap water and buy the walmart water labeled purified water.
Or, you can buy a RO/DI unit for your house and make your own water.
 
tx reef

tx reef

Active Member
Originally Posted by oreo12
Ok you do not have to add iodine. Second you should not use the tap water. If you do a weekly 10% water change useing RO water you will add all the addatives these corals requer. I have both of these corals in 3 difrent tanks. I tried doing what you are doing using the tap water and adding the iodine. My corals survied but that was all they did once I began the 10% water changes useing the RO fillter they began to grow in fact all the xiena in my 75 has came out of the trimmings of my 55.

Ha. You beat me to it.
 
xxxgreg

xxxgreg

Member
ok so what addatives do I need please give me a list and brands if you can.
and Ive looked into an ro/di system for at home but im still looking its in the works but until I find one that dose a good job there are no plans.
Im useing prime in my tap water will tap water work until I get a ro/di system or not?
Id like the list of addatives for the corals and any tips you might have on the corals id like to keep.
I can wait for the corals if the water is going to hurt them I dont want to kill them thanks
 
hot883

hot883

Active Member
Yes, thats what we are trying to tell you. Don't use tap water in a reef. Additives are not the answer. Good water and good salt mix is ALL you need. Not smart to add additives you cannot test for. They are not needed with a good quality salt mix and ro/di water.
 
xxxgreg

xxxgreg

Member
oh ok im sorry I looked at what you said wrong.
So you think if I use ro/di and the reef crystals that ive been useing ill be ok?
because theres a water store 2 blocks from me that sells ro/di by the gal and if I have to pick ro/di or death ill take the ro/di
 
hot883

hot883

Active Member
Originally Posted by xxxgreg
oh ok im sorry I looked at what you said wrong.
So you think if I use ro/di and the reef crystals that ive been useing ill be ok?
because theres a water store 2 blocks from me that sells ro/di by the gal and if I have to pick ro/di or death ill take the ro/di
just our opinion, but works for us
 
tx reef

tx reef

Active Member
Originally Posted by xxxgreg
So you think if I use ro/di and the reef crystals that ive been useing ill be ok?
because theres a water store 2 blocks from me that sells ro/di by the gal and if I have to pick ro/di or death ill take the ro/di
 
xxxgreg

xxxgreg

Member
well hay if it helps any I find that those who do most times know.so I thank you for your advice on this .
so looks likr ill be off to the water store I guess if i think about it the iodine is $15 and the water is $.75 the water and if thats all i need then fine by me
 
E

emeralcrab

Guest
My LFS wont even sell corals or such unless you use RO water. He said not worth the headache of all the phone calls, and unhappy people with their stock dieing.
 
tx reef

tx reef

Active Member
The RO/DI water is not what replenishes trace elements such as iodine.
The salt mix you use contains these. The reason we suggest you use RO/DI water is that tap water can have minerals and other things that are not ideal for a reef or fish only system.
This is one reason water changes are important. Just change 4 - 5 gallons of water a week and everything will be fine.
 
hot883

hot883

Active Member
Along with TXReef's suggestion (great post) make sure you mix the new salt water in a dedicated container with a powerhead and heater for ATLEAST 24 hrs. before putting it into the tank to ensure stability.
 
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