Couple questions...

ABopp · Feb 13, 2018

Couple things...

New to the hobby, starting out with established aquarium...going slow and steady. Nowhere near ready to add any fish or corals. Currently housing live rock until my parameters are in line. Everything is spot on EXCEPT my nitrates are through the roof....general consensus is from die off when the aquarium was transported. Not really worried about it as I am going to do some aquascaping this weekend so once that settles and after some water changing, I'll figure it out from there.

Looking forward, these are some questions burning in my mind...

Question 1:
Talking about things such as API Stress Zyme, API Stress Coat, API Quick start etc...

I'm wondering if these products are necessary or what kind of other products people have used? I don't like the idea of using these but I don't have enough experience in the hobby to blindly make that decision. Helpful or no?

What products do you use for what purpose that you love and couldn't do without?

Question 2:
Currently I am using an API test kit but I have seen these test strips...? Love the convenience factor but hesitant to trust the reliability of these strips. Anyone have experience with these?

Thanks,
Ashley

Randy Holmes-Farley · Feb 13, 2018

ABopp said:
Couple things...

New to the hobby, starting out with established aquarium...going slow and steady. Nowhere near ready to add any fish or corals. Currently housing live rock until my parameters are in line. Everything is spot on EXCEPT my nitrates are through the roof....general consensus is from die off when the aquarium was transported. Not really worried about it as I am going to do some aquascaping this weekend so once that settles and after some water changing, I'll figure it out from there.

Looking forward, these are some questions burning in my mind...

Question 1:
Talking about things such as API Stress Zyme, API Stress Coat, API Quick start etc...

I'm wondering if these products are necessary or what kind of other products people have used? I don't like the idea of using these but I don't have enough experience in the hobby to blindly make that decision. Helpful or no?

What products do you use for what purpose that you love and couldn't do without?

Question 2:
Currently I am using an API test kit but I have seen these test strips...? Love the convenience factor but hesitant to trust the reliability of these strips. Anyone have experience with these?

Thanks,
Ashley

The main things you need to measure when curing or cycling is complete is alkalinity and calcium. I would not use test strips for those. I'm not even sure there are test strips that are suitable for seawater for these.

I'd skip all the API products you mentioned. There is really very little, if anything, that you need to dose in the early stages of a reef tank.

KMench · Feb 13, 2018

Question 1:
I use some various coral foods as well as meds for treatment in QT. Don't really use any of the stress meds or bacteria in a bottle type products.

Question 2:
Don't use the test strips, spend a few dollars and invest in a quality test kit. Red Sea makes a good test kit. Hanna Checkers are also nice and easy to read.

ABopp · Feb 13, 2018

I was not thinking of using any products now but as I am cruising forums, I see mention of similar products which promoted my question...also currently using a master API test kit with the vials but was curious about the strips is all.

So many thoughts for a newbie! Thanks for the input! I'm glad these products are not as necessary as I was starting to think...I'd much rather go as organic as possible without using these for sure!

Randy Holmes-Farley · Feb 13, 2018

Just be careful as you cruise the forums which forums you get advice in. Especially in newbie forums, the people answering questions might be newbies themselves, and sometimes these folks get their info from an LFS which might think a purchased product is always the answer.