new to this and need a little help.

[olwine3]

I inherited a tank that i have had for a month now. It had dead corals in it when i got it the person who had it gave up on it. I have started to notice a big piece of coral looks like its coming back to life.I would like to keep it going and save it if itis possible. my question is what should i do ,what chemicals , i have some he gave me but he told me nothing.They are B-IONIC Alkalinity #1, clacium #2. the normal ones..strontium &molybdenum, lodid, liquid calcium.. how much do i use and which one??
Also i have a saltwater for dummies on its way Via online. and i have a 30 GAL. tank hang on filter two heaters and powerhead.with 3 reef safe fish and serpent star fish.. im gettng ready for my weekly water change i wanted to add these when i do that. can some one help??

 

[gradymo]

Before adding any supplements, you need to test for them to see what's needed. I would do the water change first, more than likely, you'll replenish what is needed in your tank depending on your brand of salt mix.
Maybe someone else will chime in to tell you what levels of what you need.

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by olwine3 http:///t/393677/new-to-this-and-need-a-little-help#post_3502878
I inherited a tank that i have had for a month now. It had dead corals in it when i got it the person who had it gave up on it. I have started to notice a big piece of coral looks like its coming back to life.I would like to keep it going and save it if itis possible. my question is what should i do ,what chemicals , i have some he gave me but he told me nothing.They are B-IONIC Alkalinity #1, clacium #2. the normal ones..strontium &molybdenum, lodid, liquid calcium.. how much do i use and which one??
Also i have a saltwater for dummies on its way Via online. and i have a 30 GAL. tank hang on filter two heaters and powerhead.with 3 reef safe fish and serpent star fish.. im gettng ready for my weekly water change i wanted to add these when i do that. can some one help??
Hi and welcome to the site.
Don't do what the original owner did...the tank crashed because of using supplements without testing I'm sure. Just as Gradymo said. Get a reef test master kit (cheaper than individually) Lab type not strip, instructions and what the parameters should be are on the test instructions. If a test shows low on a reading contact us here before you dose because like Gradymo said, there are better methods than dumping chemicals into the tank. Corals do indeed often come back as soon as the conditions improve, I had Xenia coral that melted into a pool of mushy goo and it grew back as soon as I added the right lighting and was beautiful.

 

[olwine3]

I will keep u guys in mind i just found a master reff kit on amazon.. and i dont want my corals to turn mushy..lol.but i do want to save this tank .. thank u and Will repost soon

 

[new2salt1]

I'm surprised the test kit is everyone's first-line advice lol. The very first thing you want to do is a water change. With quality RO water and salinity, testing might not even be a major need. Go to your local fish store and get a hydrometer. if your salt is high, slowly lower it with fresh RO water (i do a trickle siphon drip over 24 hours). Once your have the specific gravity in range, start with a 30-40% water change. Remember, if the corals already appear to be coming back, don't shock them with a massive water change. Don't worry about cleaning algae yet. Do your first water change, see how it responds and let us know. Make sure you have a heater that you know how to use. Adding fresh RO and getting salinity and temp right are the first 3 things i would look to correct

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by New2Salt1 http:///t/393677/new-to-this-and-need-a-little-help#post_3504479
I'm surprised the test kit is everyone's first-line advice lol. The very first thing you want to do is a water change. With quality RO water and salinity, testing might not even be a major need. Go to your local fish store and get a hydrometer. if your salt is high, slowly lower it with fresh RO water (i do a trickle siphon drip over 24 hours). Once your have the specific gravity in range, start with a 30-40% water change. Remember, if the corals already appear to be coming back, don't shock them with a massive water change. Don't worry about cleaning algae yet. Do your first water change, see how it responds and let us know. Make sure you have a heater that you know how to use. Adding fresh RO and getting salinity and temp right are the first 3 things i would look to correct
LOL...very good advice, I always assume folks know what the SG is, and how to correct that problem. Our concern was that the OP was asking how to dose certain suppliments, so naturally we said do a test first to see if it's even needed. The water change advice followed because most times that is the best way to get the elements replenished, and the water quality stable.

 

[olwine3]

Update.....i have gotten my levels all in line the tank is looking good.the coral hasn't showed much more life but its still the same i may have shocked it not sure. But im working on getting my reff master kit..so i have better idea of whats really going on i am thankful for everyone's help i will send pics next time also this is a very addictive hobby i love it.. and look foward to chatting more with everyone in the future ... thank u all..and merry Christmas

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by olwine3 http:///t/393677/new-to-this-and-need-a-little-help#post_3504679
Update.....i have gotten my levels all in line the tank is looking good.the coral hasn't showed much more life but its still the same i may have shocked it not sure. But im working on getting my reff master kit..so i have better idea of whats really going on i am thankful for everyone's help i will send pics next time also this is a very addictive hobby i love it.. and look foward to chatting more with everyone in the future ... thank u all..and merry Christmas
What do you mean "levels all in line"? If you have some test results share the numbers, many times folks think all is well..the actual numbers tell us for certain. Yes it's a very addictive hobby, I hope you stay around for a good long time.