Supplements, Food, Test Kits....im so lost

gio28

gio28

Active Member
hi everyone, i've decided to start getting corals and adding more fish in my tank...but i have a few questions about supplements, food, and test kits:
-first off, although i have the basic additives such as PH buffer, calcium, and trace elements...before i get any corals i would like to get the rest of the ones needed or that would benefit my corals. can you list off what other supplements i would need? (iodine, zooplanton etc)
-secondly, all i feed my fish right now is pellet and mysis (all i have is a clownfish atm). i would like to vary the diet for all my fish and wanted opinions on what food you guys like to feed your fish...be specific on brand names please. and if you soak their food in vitamins and such...tell me those too.
-lastly, if you could recommend a test kit for a reef tank which would it be?
thanks for any help...there are so many products out there that i got real confused so i figured id ask everyone on their choices. be specific as possible please. thanks!
 
jackri

jackri

Active Member
Test kits:
Calcium
Alk
pH
Magnesium (optional IMO)
Now these are on top of your normal amm, trates, trites which after a cycle you really shouldn't have to test for amm or nitrites anymore.
Corals -- basically you only need light, and calcium for skeletal development. They get 98%+ of their food from light alone -- anything else in moderation may only be a slight benefite.
Fish food -- I stick to the frozen (I'm going to misspell a lot here) hykuri mysis cubes and spiruluna brine shrimp with once a week garlic drop or selcon added.
If I'm lazy or out of time I go with flake, even more rare pellet as it doesn't stay in all of the fish's eating range. My tangs get nori sheets 1-2 times a week.
Your corals will benefit slightly from the frozen food too as it gets floated around.
That's what I do anyways in a nutshell.
 
gio28

gio28

Active Member
cool thanks for your help.
i noticed the 'reef test kits' usually dont come with ammonia and nitrite tests...just nitrate...which makes sense now based on what you said. i guess i will buy those to separate just in case for some reason or like a QT tank.
and im glad corals will be mostly happy under my MH since all those supplements really add up to cost a 15 year old a ton of money.
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
I have Frozen foods: mysis, spirulina, brine,prime reef, formula 2, mega marine angel, mega marine alge, blood worms, saltwater multi pack, rotifers
I alternate the foods,
vitamins: garlic extreme, selcon, vita-chem, zoe, zoecon, vitamarin-c
I alternate the vitamins...use the garlic daily
I add NOOOOO supplements...water changes should take care of everything
 
gio28

gio28

Active Member
yeah...i heard frequent WCs will keep all of the other supplements in check...but i guess that depends on how frequently i do them.
you sure do have alot of foods for your tank...great variety. all i use is garlic when i feed mysis.
so i guess im going to place a massive order soon with a bunch of the stuff i mentioned lol...then i should be set.
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
LOL...do you eat the same thing for dinner every night...haha
I figure the fish should have a variety too :)
 
jackri

jackri

Active Member
I have some algae cubes... but have only fed them a couple of times as they float -- which I hate. My fish aren't surface feeders so it usually goes to the overflow and uneaten and so.. there it sits in the freezer.
If you get the brine shrimp get it with spiraluna in it. It makes the cubes look green. Brine by themselves have very little nutritional value.
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
LOL....let me add...I have formula 2 flakes and formula 2pellets, thera +A pellets, and OSI Marine flakes...but I use them MAYBE 1x a week as a special treat.....in the evening
they should last me forever...haha
P.S. and algae sheets too....lol
 
gio28

gio28

Active Member
Originally Posted by meowzer
http:///forum/post/3134230
LOL...do you eat the same thing for dinner every night...haha
I figure the fish should have a variety too :)
haha your fish are pretty lucky. hopefully mine will soon be too. you make a good point
 
gio28

gio28

Active Member
Originally Posted by meowzer
http:///forum/post/3134233
LOL....let me add...I have formula 2 flakes and formula 2pellets, thera +A pellets, and OSI Marine flakes...but I use them MAYBE 1x a week as a special treat.....in the evening
they should last me forever...haha
P.S. and algae sheets too....lol
my clownfish loves when i feed him his pellet treats. as soon as he sees them come out he goes crazy...his favorite treat...
 
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