Chemicals

[Victor johnson]

O.k. I need some personal opinons! As far as chemicals, I use Iodine, strontium & molybdenum, and liquid calcium all made by Kent Marine. Every other day I use bio-plankton. I was thinking about using Reef Solutions made by EcoSystem. I've heard some great things about it. I know I will still use calcium with this product. What does everybody think of how this will work for my reef tank?
Thanks for any input.
Vic

[shawnz28]

I personally use ESV b-ionic, and have been using it for about the past 4 years. It is a two part solution with one part being a alkalinity buffer and the other being calcium buffer. In addition it also doses your trace elements. The only other thing I add is a little superbuffer to my topoff water.

I usually don't recommend customers to dose things like Iodine and stront which can be toxic in high levels unless a) they are testing for them ot b) they are well experienced and this is what they feel comfortable using in their tanks.

As for feeding I also use bioplankton along with DT's and coral plankton.

Iodine and Stronium can get out of hand as mentioned earlier really quick if your not testing. Please test for this if your going to add. Liquid Calcium shouldnt get outta hand too quick, but it can if your tank is not utilizing it...ie someone who has several clams and lots of SPS usually will need to boost calcium where as on a Softy tank or FOWLR will not use much calcium. Again...if you are not testing for it dont add it is the best advice I can give you.

shawnz28 pretty much sums it up as well as one can.....

[MikeS]

in addition....you should be testing the levels of anything you dose...if you can't test for it, don't dose it.

Realistically, the only 3 things in the average reef tank you need to be concerned about dosing are calcium, a bicarbonate alkalinity source, and magnesium. Calcium and alkalinity should be tested regularly. Magnesium can be tested less frequently, and adjusted as needed.

The rest can be taken care of by feeding the tank and a good water change routine.

Mike

[MikeS]

opps....Imanexpat2 must be a faster typer than I am... :D

Sorry big guy! I will try not to steal your thunder next time :lol:

I am sure it was more chance than skill :D

Its all good!!!

[Victor johnson]

I do test for everything I use and all has been well. But with my inexperince I need other opions. So I can give my tank the best I can. I love everything in my tank & don't want anything to go wrong! I would not be able to sleep at night.
Many thanks
Vic

[icereefer]

Sounds like your doing what you can vic, just keep up with that reseach, and then read, and ask questions like you do, did I mention "RESEARCH" :lol:

[Victor johnson]

Icereefer,
I just bought two books from amazon that have had super reviews the name I can't remember there is two vol. There refered to as the reefers bible. I hope they have great info. They Should for $ 120.00 for both editions. It looks like they cover everything from a-z.

[icereefer]

Cool. hopefully for that money....ouch. Myself I've got now about 25 different book from different authors , and um-teen magazines. I like to read about different reviews on different authors opinions. because I believe, no 2 tanks are the same. and if we rely on one persons opinion. it just might not be what ,we need to help or reef thrive ...if you know what I mean :)

[nbaker]

Icereefer I thought you ment that you have 25 books and um "teen" magazines.. hey man what ever floats your boat. hehee

[icereefer]

what do you mean buy that? you lost me.

[shawnz28]

They Should for $ 120.00 for both editions

I assume they are maybe The Reef Aquarium Volumes 1 and 2. Yes they are excellent books. They are beginning to become a little "dated" but I would buy them none the less. The next book I would recommend buying would be Aquarium Corals by Eric B. I recomned it to everyone, if I could only have one book it would be it

[nbaker]

Myself I've got now about 25 different book from different authors , and um-teen magazines.

oh I just read the line you had in your message to fast.

I just picked up the "Aquarium Corals" book and yes it seems to be a good purchase.

shawnz28, that indeed is an excellent book for the coral enthusist, at least in my opinion. I have just about wore my copy out!!! I would be quick to recommend it as well.

icereefer makes some good points as well. I agree that more than one opinion, technique can be benifical. Aside from the fact that I like to read, I also feel like there is no one way to have a great and successful tank. I personally prefer to hear about any method, technique or concept and then decide what might work for me best. With out new ideas and concepts the hobby is unlikely to advance very much and thats bad for the critters we keep and us reefers as well.

Just my opinion for whats its worth...

Victor johnson, you didnt indicate that you were testing for the things you were adding or I would have "held short of the active" instead of jumping in. If your testing and your levels are on the low side then by all means add! I havent tried Reef Solutions, so I cant really comment on that particular item. But the others that you mentioned should be a real issue if you are mixing you water and salt mix correctly and doing water changes at regular intervals in my experience...but then no two tanks are alike!

[Victor johnson]

Sorry I might be a bit confusing. I am using Iodine, strom,mollyb, & liquid cal, all made by kent, I am going to stop using these. And just use reef solution with kaltw, And a dk buffer. Three different lfs told me that is what they use with great success. Yes I have been testing everything but iodine & I was using less then the recommed amount. With reef soulitions it should make life a littler more easy.
Vic