Nem tank dosing!
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You don't really need to dose anything other then a little bit of alkalinity every now and then. They don't take up calcium, magnesium, strontium,etc. They take up a little but of alk and thats about it. Most their food source comes from the light. They require a mature tank with stable water parameters and occasional food. You don't really even have to feed them, but from my experience it help them grow a bit quicker. The mature tank is the hardest part since a lot of people don't want to wait and want to jump right in.
proxy001
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a clown fish...
I know some disagree, and clowns can be a mess but... surely, mine does an amazing job.
chizerbunoi
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You don’t need to dose anything.but if part of your maintenance is to dose something like a carbon source to keep parameters in check then that is fine. Anemones like all other corals want stability.
D-Nak
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I don't dose anything. I think it's important to do regular water changes though. My nems seem to perk up after a water change, so there must be something in the water that they like. I think it goes beyond just having cleaner water.
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BellaCoop
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That is nice to know!! And I just got my refug set up. I am letting the tank run for another 2 months or so before adding Nems. Just wanted to make sure all was right.
What about Coraline Algae? I know you get it after your tank is established and running well but I keep coming across coralline in a bottle and stuff like that. Anyone ever use it?
What about Coraline Algae? I know you get it after your tank is established and running well but I keep coming across coralline in a bottle and stuff like that. Anyone ever use it?
Spare time
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They do use magnesium in zooxanthellae. I think that the nerves nets of cnidarians use calcium (I am trying to look more into this). However, the rate at which this drains in general is not going to be anywhere near stony corals. They also need iron, potassium, and other trace elements.
Some say it works some say it doesn't. Seems 50/50. The Arcreef purple/pink stuff(if thats what you are talking about) has rather strict rules you have to follow, thats why those it worked for complain to those that say then didn't and vice versa). But otherwise yes they give you real coralline attached to a small rock usually.
They may(i dont know) in zooxanthellae, but the nem itself doesnt. Magnesium is used in calcifying corals with a skeleton so is calcium. The nems themselves would have no need for it. Now by all means does it absorb some through feeding? Sure. Also yes you are correct on them using trace elements like iodine and the rates they absorb them are negotiable enough that a normal water change alone will replenish anything lost.
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chizerbunoi
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Did you start with all dry rock? If yes then you will need introduce coralline algae. Besides the bottle, it could also come from some frag plugs.
McThicc
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upgraded from 60 to120 started the 120 December 25th. But had my rock for a while before that in my 60. So my levels been pretty stable and I just started putting nems in my tank. Still fairly new to coral side not new to fish side. Plan on only keeping nems in my tank no other coral. Do my levels seem good for nem tank? Also heard they really only use alk. And even then would barely have to dose it any help would be appreciated
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McThicc
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upgraded from 60 to120 started the 120 December 25th. But had my rock for a while before that in my 60. I just started to add nems. I wanna run just a nem only tank with fish no other corals really. New to corals not new to fish. Any help as in do I need to dose or anything?
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chizerbunoi
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You want to keep your parameters as stable as possible. But if new to chemistry, then I suggest that you do weekly water parameter testing. When the Alk/Calcium levels drop beyond normal range or phosphate/nitrate goes up, do a water change. It's a good habit to be on top of this and to learn so that when you want to move to other types of coral like SPS, you know how to maintain a proper reef tank. Also, top up evaporated water everyday if you don't have a auto top off.
Eventually if you don't have other types of corals drawing alk/calcium then you don't have to test that anymore. I have a nem/softie tank running for 4+ years and don't test. Only check for nitrate/phosphate from time to time. Water changes keep it going. But today I'm up to a water change once every 2 - 3 months. Before that I would do them religiously once a week on my 55 gal skimmerless nano.
Good luck
Eventually if you don't have other types of corals drawing alk/calcium then you don't have to test that anymore. I have a nem/softie tank running for 4+ years and don't test. Only check for nitrate/phosphate from time to time. Water changes keep it going. But today I'm up to a water change once every 2 - 3 months. Before that I would do them religiously once a week on my 55 gal skimmerless nano.
Good luck
