Reef tank water additives help needed!

[kalebos]

I am currently cycling my first saltwater/reef tank ever. It is 30 gallons and I will be ready to add the first fish in a week or two. I am a little overwhelmed about how many different things I can put in my water and just need help discerning what's needed/very beneficial/or icing on top. I use RODI water by the way.

What are all of the products you guys specifically add to your tank? What do I need?

 

[Rmckoy]

I am currently cycling my first saltwater/reef tank ever. It is 30 gallons and I will be ready to add the first fish in a week or two. I am a little overwhelmed about how many different things I can put in my water and just need help discerning what's needed/very beneficial/or icing on top. I use RODI water by the way.

Other than specific nutrient additives for coral such as calcium, magnesium, etc what do I need to add to my water? What are all of the products you guys specifically add to your tank?

For a new tank
The only thing you need to put in your water is salt !!!
additives such as mag. Cal are not for awhile .
the salt itself is enough for fish only abs depending on what salt you are using .
it could be enough for a few years with corals ( depending on how many corals )

rule #1 of reefing :
“Don’t dose anything you can’t test the need for !”

 

[homer1475]

For a new tank
The only thing you need to put in your water is salt !!!
additives such as mag. Cal are not for awhile .
the salt itself is enough for fish only abs depending on what salt you are using .
it could be enough for a few years with corals ( depending on how many corals )

rule #1 of reefing :
“Don’t dose anything you can’t test the need for !”

+1

If your already using RO/DI, everything you need will be in your salt mix, until you start adding corals.

 

[kalebos]

For a new tank
The only thing you need to put in your water is salt !!!
additives such as mag. Cal are not for awhile .
the salt itself is enough for fish only abs depending on what salt you are using .
it could be enough for a few years with corals ( depending on how many corals )

rule #1 of reefing :
“Don’t dose anything you can’t test the need for !”

Thank you! Do I need anything to stabilize my ph? I use regular instant ocean salt btw.

 

[George81]

No. your Salt mix and surface agitation plus skimmer should keep your ph where you need it.

Thank you! Do I need anything to stabilize my ph? I use regular instant ocean salt btw.

 

[kalebos]

+1

If your already using RO/DI, everything you need will be in your salt mix, until you start adding corals.

I do plan to add a lot of corals. Once I have a handful in there what do you recommend I use?

 

[homer1475]

Do not add PH stabilizer!!! They only give you a temporary boost, and will sky rocket your alkalinity.

There are other non chemicals ways to effect PH. Anything above 7.8 is fine.

 

[homer1475]

I do plan to add a lot of corals. Once I have a handful in there what do you recommend I use?

Many different ways to go about it. Kalk, higher element salt, 2 part dosing, calcium reactor.

Learn some basics first, then dive into corals.

 

[kalebos]

Do not add PH stabilizer!!! They only give you a temporary boost, and will sky rocket your alkalinity.

There are other non chemicals ways to effect PH. Anything above 7.8 is fine.

I appreciate your advice! Looks like I'll save a bit of money which is fine by me.

 

[homer1475]

Honestly if you want to learn some basics, read the stickies here, and watch the BRS 160 videos on youtube. Great place to start.

BRS wil give it to you straight. I don't normally suggest yourutbe(many bad ways to do things on there to), but @Bulk Reef Supply won't steer you wrong.

 

[kalebos]

Honestly if you want to learn some basics, read the stickies here, and watch the BRS 160 videos on youtube. Great place to start.

Will do. I do watch BRS videos but sometimes it's hard to tell if they are recommending a product/method or saying its essential lol.

Also what/where are the stickies? lol

 

[homer1475]

At the top of this section of the forum:

Cycling an Aquarium

Cycling a new aquarium. One of the earliest topics a new aquarium hobbyist needs to learn is how to properly cycle their aquarium. There is a ton of information on this process and many different methods on how to accomplish it. There are many different chemical and biological cycles our tank...

www.reef2reef.com

The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium

The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium Introduction The marine environment is one of the most complex systems on the planet. The aquarium you are about to set up is only a tiny sliver of the vast ocean, but it is nowhere near simple. This task is going to take patience, a...

www.reef2reef.com

And others.

 

[kalebos]

At the top of this section of the forum:

Cycling an Aquarium

Cycling a new aquarium. One of the earliest topics a new aquarium hobbyist needs to learn is how to properly cycle their aquarium. There is a ton of information on this process and many different methods on how to accomplish it. There are many different chemical and biological cycles our tank...

www.reef2reef.com

The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium

The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium Introduction The marine environment is one of the most complex systems on the planet. The aquarium you are about to set up is only a tiny sliver of the vast ocean, but it is nowhere near simple. This task is going to take patience, a...

www.reef2reef.com

And others.

Appreciate your help!

 

[Rmckoy]

Thank you! Do I need anything to stabilize my ph? I use regular instant ocean salt btw.

It will fluctuate from day to night .
even winter months with windows and doors closed more c02 levels increase .
as the system matures most parameters will stabilize .
Be PATIENT and let it mature .
As hard as it is .