supplementing the aquarium

whiterose

Member
As always, when you ask the same question to 6 different people you get 6 different responses. In any case I would like to read what my fellow aquarists have to say about adding supplements to saltwater tanks. Originally I was told to use calcium, iodine, and strombium to my tank. Now I am being told to skip that and add reef plus and reef trace in place of what I am using. What EXACTLY needs to be added to the water on a regular basis? I won't tell you what I have heard because it may sway your response, but let me know. I would like to do the right thing. I will tell you I have mainly soft corals, two hard corals (and I mean hard to keep too; Sun coral and Acropora), live rock and several low maintenace fish. I have been feeding the tank two to three times a week with the mentioned products before I was told I should replace them. I also feed spectra wital and Blackpowder to my filter feeders and frozen or live food to anemones, feather dusters, invertebrates, and fish. Sorry this is so long. I wanted to make sure you knew everything to give you the opportunity to offer me the best advice possible. Thank you for your advice ahead of time.
 

jlem

Active Member
Ars you experiencing problems with your tank. More frequent water changes require fewer suppliments. I will tell you my schedule.
125 gallon reef
biweekly 10 gallon water changes
15 mils of reef complete twice a week ( doses calcium,magnesium and stronium in proper ratios )
teaspoon of marine buffer twice a week
 

beaslbob

Well-Known Member
My recommendation is you test before using any additives.
In my tanks (so far) I use no additives.
 

bang guy

Moderator
Hi Whiterose,
The technique I have learned that has served me well is to do regular water changes and only dose what I have tested for and know to be low.
Currently I add fish food and limewater. Limewater replaces Calcium and Carbonate.
 

bang guy

Moderator
Limewater is often called Kalkwasser in German. It is the product of adding Lime (Calcium hydroxide or Calcium oxide) to water. Lime is also known as Kalk in German.
 
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