Additives & Water Changes??

STL Reefer · 10-19-2006, 07:22 PM

Hi all,

I would like to know anyone's opinion about the need for additives like trace, iodine, calcium etc. when a system is receiving a 15% waterchange weekly.

It was suggested to me by a LFS that a 15% change would help to eliminate the need for additives but thats where the conversation ended.

Again, I would like to hear anyones personal experiences or thoughts on this.

I would also like to personally thank Rob and Talkingreef Staff for the podcasts.

Stevej72 · 10-19-2006, 07:54 PM

Hi ya STL Reefer, Welcome to TR.
Cute Pic but arnt you a little young to be typing?

Imo Additives should never be added with out testing first. If you dose without testing you can easily knock your system out of balance. so test first then add only what you need to. And you should always test your PH, Alk, and Cal. as each one affects the other.

Boz · 10-19-2006, 10:35 PM

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!

)

**CarmieJo** · 10-19-2006, 10:49 PM

Hi STL Reefer and

to TR. I echo Steve's advice about never dosing without testing. Your bio-load and tank conditions will determine your rate of consumption. You also need to have your Mg in balance with your Ca.

veriann · 10-20-2006, 08:07 AM

the amount you changout the the water has alot to do with your skill level compounded there after by what your keeping. both fish and corals have different input needs, and the latter resulting outputs!
higher water changes are needed if you have a hefty bio-load, less with a balanced reef, even less, like 10% a month zone for an incredibly stable evironment!
2 questions then.....did your LFS ask what you kept & what and how often you feed? and does your replacment salt contain trace elements both minor and major>?
answering those 2 question and your one step closer to answering your question!

if you do have a balanced sythetic mix it can help ionicly and osmoticly to change out with that percentage, although as the others have mentioned its no use flying blind with the quickest changing medium in the world! "test 2 assess" that way you know if your system need manual dosed inputs!

**JustDavidP** · 10-20-2006, 09:28 AM

I love belonging to a group of well educated, well spoken, hobbyists. As a Moderator, watching questions get answered in this way allows me to poke around and help others who may not be in good hands.

Great question, great answers...heck...great thread!

Oh... and welcome to TR STL Reefer. Glad to have you here...glad to have the Cards in the World Series. Glad to have anyone but the Yankees in the World Series

(whispering...sorry Jay

)

Dave

veriann · 10-20-2006, 10:08 AM

yes of course, very rude of me, welcome to our corner STL reefing wildly! i tend to get forgetful in my old age!

**Amphibious** · 10-20-2006, 07:02 PM

STL Reefer,

to Talkingreef Community and Podcast.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boz

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!

)

Boz, of course it's OK. I'm not the originator of that line but, I frequently quote it. You just can't say it too much.

STL Reefer · 10-23-2006, 12:22 AM

Thanks for all the advice and I appreciate the welcome. Sorry for not including background on my system.

I currently have a 10 month old fish only low bioload 300g system while I am continuing to work out the lighting enigma. (By the way Rob has impeccable timing with the lighting series. ) I'm hoping the weekly water changes of about 10% are ok until more demand is put on the system.

Current Stats
ph 8.3
Alk 5-6
CA ?? I should have picked up that CA test while it was on sale

Thanks veriann "test 2 assess" I do like that and thanks to all for the advice.