Iodine/Supplements

kingfisherfleshy · Dec 4, 2012

Hey guys - just got rid of all my corals and I am now gearing up to go all softies/macro algaes and keep lots of large preds.

My question is this - who is dosing iodine, and how are you testing your parameters.

In addition - what else are you adding to have a booming softy tank? Im thinking about adding zoo and phyto to keep up dissolved organics as I skim heavily, and rely on it to keep nitrate in check via carbon dosing.

I will turn off skimmer for a few hours obviously after dosing these things.

Anything else to help me in the right direction? Ive done softies before, but never a tank dedicated to them and I want to see the best growth and health possible.

Thanks

revsgirl · Dec 4, 2012

:bump2:

kingfisherfleshy · Dec 4, 2012

Anyone? There are lots of amazing soft coral tanks out there - and I have heard of serious softie people doing stuff like this, but never specifics.

Anyone with softie secrets?

Friday24 · Dec 4, 2012

don't know about the iodine, but from what i've read in a few threads about macro tanks is that you'll want to keep your nitrates up for them to thirve, and i remember them dosing to do so....don't remember particulars but i'm sure there are some macro guys that should chime in

zab34 · Dec 4, 2012

bump would love to hear about roiding up a softy tank.

jedimasterben · Dec 4, 2012

Heck, why skim? I'd run an algae scrubber instead of skimming - will keep nitrate and phosphate down without also removing all the food that the corals need, will keep dissolved oxygen higher than with a skimmer, and will be a breeding ground for pods.

kingfisherfleshy · Dec 4, 2012

Ive got to skim for the carbon dosing to work - wont be able to keep up with the predators waste without it.

Otherwise it would be a great idea.

jedimasterben · Dec 4, 2012

Have you ever seen what an algae scrubber does? Skimmers can't compare.

kingfisherfleshy · Dec 5, 2012

We are going to have to agree to disagree on this point - I have done both. It would require a lot of work to do what I can do with vodka dosing and a skimmer as compared to an algae scrubber. Algae scrubber can have issues...the only thing that stops the carbon dosing method from having absolutely 0 nitrates is a power outage. Hence the reason why I am asking on here about dosing large quantities of food - tank will be heavily stocked as well with large, heavy waste producing fish to help compensate for the lack of nitrate in the system.

kingfisherfleshy · Dec 5, 2012

Not to get off topic here - but now I am looking into what it would take to build a scrubber to keep up with the system I am planning.

Just not sure I will have enough space in my sump. Im also very hesitant to move to a scrubber after all the issues I have had with them. Doesnt seem nearly as reliable.

jedimasterben · Dec 5, 2012

When you think about it, the surface area needed (which depends on how much food goes in) is really low.

There's actually a site/forum dedicated to scrubbers of all shapes, sizes, and kinds. Here is a link to the latest sizing guideline: New sizing guidelines

For my system, I have a 12"x8" screen with a dozen LEDs (deep red, royal blue, true violet, 6500k white mixed, crap I had laying around

) on one side and it should be able to take my newest feeding method no problem - a constant drip via peristaltic pump of Cyclop-eeze, chopped clam, live nannochloropsis phytoplankton, mysis, Formula Two frozen, decapsulated brine shrimp eggs, Reef Cleaners Filter Feeder Food, Golden Pearls (5 micron and 300 micron), Coral Frenzy, aquavitro Fuel, and whatever else I can come up with.

kingfisherfleshy · Dec 5, 2012

Sounds awesome. I figure that 3-4 oz of frozen foods and a 10 or so sq inch of nori will be fed per day on this tank.

What do you say to that? I dont have led supplies - so I would need to do clamp lamps I think.

jedimasterben · Dec 5, 2012

kingfisherfleshy said:
Sounds awesome. I figure that 3-4 oz of frozen foods and a 10 or so sq inch of nori will be fed per day on this tank.

What do you say to that? I dont have led supplies - so I would need to do clamp lamps I think.

You could probably start with a 12"x12" square and see how that works. You can use CFls, or you can just get a cheap LED grow light with only red and blue LEDs on ebay.