Reef additive recommendation

[vetteguy53081]

I was trying to answer that question. With regular water changes there shouldn't be a need for an additive at all. Especially before corals and their consumption. Until you have a lot of corals that won't be a problem.

depending on number of corals, the absorbtion rate will be high enough that additives will be necessary.
As for 50% water change, a person with a 200 gallon tank is not going to change 100 gals bi weekly or in my case, with a 660g tank change out 300+ gallons. I have a CA reactor and still dose mag and other liquids.

 

[AVVITT]

I would do a 50% water change to get nitrates down to 20 and get some coral after. Keep up on weekly 10-20% after that.

I've been doing 25% weekly since the cycle finished but nitrates have never dropped below 40ppm although that is with an API test and I'm also learning they may be far from trustworthy!

 

[vetteguy53081]

Corals don't really thrive in the first year. They survive and will grow a little. You have plenty of time to learn about dosing and parameters.

Thanks for the reply but my question was am I ok using an all in 1 additive or am I better using all sperate elements? I don't think red sea would sell anything "snake oil" like but if there's an imbalance in one or more of the elements then dosing a complete compound wouldn't be beneficial surely?

For all in one, Tropic Marin all in one provides CA/Mag?alk plus trace elements