Hi STL Reefer and welcome to TR!
I agree with Stevej72 and would echo the opinion Rob made in one of his Podcasts about testing and supplements. Only supplement what you test for.
This was an invaluable lesson. It prevents me from "wanting" to add supplements just for the sake of adding them. K.I.S.S.
Its too easy to knock our systems out of harmony
and so many additives either play off one another (like Magnesium,
alk and Cal) or are detrimental in large doses (iodine).
I personally change the water at a rate of 10% a week and only add a two part calcium additive (B-Ionic). I test Calcium and
Alk twice per week and am typically between 400-450ppm, and 3.2 - 3.5 millieq for the Alkalinity.
Outside of that, I use
DT's
Phytoplankton, Chromaplex and CoralVite when I feed the corals (I mix it in with a blend of Oyster, clam, cyclopeze and fish). I have noticed a satisfying rate of coral growth (especially with my brains, polyps and zoanthids).
Could I push the envelope a bit - sure. Could the tank crash if I did, sure. Like Amphibious says.... the only thing that happens fast in a reef tank is disaster (Amp, I hope its Ok that I borrow that line, but that pretty much sums it up!
)
