Could use some help with my corals

[Austin J Vatalaro]

I recently got into corals a few months ago and I have been trying to do as much research as possible but it's all scattered around online or it doesnt give enough information that I could use. I have zoanthids which fragged twice, a montipora that isnt looking so hot, it has white in the middle but the outer is good color. It's been like it for a month or so now, I also have a forest fire digitata. This weekend I figured I would get more so I got a yellow Ricordea Mushroom, and a button scoly. The question I mainly have is how can I keep my corals all colored up and healthy? I know I dont want to get into any stony coral or non beginner corals I am just sticking with easy and 90% will be softies. Do I need to dose anything to get them growing perfectly and healthy? And should I be buying the 3 test kits for alk, mag, and calcium?

 

[SPR1968]

Yes you need test kits for the main water parameters you mention and also salinity, nitrate and phosphate

With corals you need to keep the parameters stable, so as the system develops and your corals grow, you will need to look into adding elements preferably daily (with an auto doser for example) as there used up.

Heres an excellent guide on the correct parameters:

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/

Take a look at the Red Sea reef program that will help you out as well.

Stability is the key. Think of yourself as a ‘water keeper’ and if you can maintain the correct levels you should do fine

 

[Austin J Vatalaro]

Awesome thank you! Is there any kits that's have all the testing I would need for the corals? And can I hand dose when needed?

 

[Austin J Vatalaro]

Maybe like this guy and then I'll have to get the others separate?

 

[Arricefe]

Hi Austin, that test kit is one way to go and it’s definitely better than no test kit. You are going to get different opinions on all the different kits. How old is your tank? You say you have a monti, that’s a stony coral, it may be considered a beginner SPS but it‘s not necessarily a beginner coral, they are a little harder to keep than softies. Stable water parameters is what you are going to need.

 

[Reesj]

For starters That should be fine. You can invest a bit more later when you get more experience..

 

[SPR1968]

There are several all in one test kits to get you started, like the one you mention, and yes get the others separately. They have different degrees of accuracy though.

My personal preference is:

NYOS for calcium, nitrate and magnesium
Hanna for alkalinity
Hanna for phosphate

This is just my choice, and there are reasonably accurate especially the NYOS

 

[Austin J Vatalaro]

Sounds good! That's the route I am thinking, and yes i have a monti I got from a buddy for free so I am not too crazy worried about him I'm just worried about my yellow Ricordea Mushroom and my 5 softies I ordered. The tank has been up and running for a year and a half now

 

[Austin J Vatalaro]

As my understanding alkalinity is the same as carbonate hardness so that test kit will have everything I need expect for magnesium?

 

[Nano sapiens]

As my understanding alkalinity is the same as carbonate hardness so that test kit will have everything I need expect for magnesium?

For our hobby purposes you can treat them as the same (the actually difference between the two is relatively slight).

 

[PatW]

Maybe like this guy and then I'll have to get the others separate?


[/QUOTE

If you get into testing, but you will out grow these. They are pretty crude. The phosphate is pretty useless. The nitrate is not that sensitive and the color distinctions drive me a bit batty.

For calcium, KH and nitrate, you can use Salifert tests. They are a bit more expensive but the tests are a big improvement over API.

For phosphate, going with the Hanna ULR phosphorous is by far the best option. It is the most sensitive test on the market but is pricey.

By the way, there are plenty of you tube videos on the common test kits. They are useful to watch because you can get an idea if your eyes can handle the detection of color changes in the test you are interested in.

 

[Austin J Vatalaro]

For our hobby purposes you can treat them as the same (the actually difference between the two is relatively slight).

Ah ok perfect! I was reading up and it kind of confused me with diffrent terms in the real world and then all the saltwater test kits I checked out had both in the same line

 

[Austin J Vatalaro]

So I purchased the red sea magnesium pro test kit and then that reef kit. I have all the basics and test every week. You think that would be good for now?