What are must-have dosing/supplemental products?

[Zoe’s Reef]

Hi all! I'm starting a new BioCube 32g in the next few days, and I wanted to ask what dosing or supplemental products are recommended to have on hand? With my previous Fluval Evo 13.5, I really only used Seachem Reef Fusion 2 when my alkalinity was low. Are there other products I should be adding to my tank routinely? Or should I wait to see what my tank needs? Thanks!

 

[xxkenny90xx]

New tank? Unless you pack it with corals right away regular water changes with a reef salt should do the trick. If needed use some kalk as well. Anything else would be overkill imo

 

[Hydrored]

Once your parameters are where you want them and consuming alk I can’t recommend all for reef enough

 

[xxkenny90xx]

This is the kalk I use, it's very cheap in the canning section at walmart

 

[Zoe’s Reef]

Once your parameters are where you want them and consuming alk I can’t recommend all for reef enough

Thank you! Is this what you're talking about? https://www.marinedepot.com/tropic-marin-all-for-reef-overall-trace-element-supplement

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Before leaping at random specific recommendations,. i'd suggest becoming familiar with an overview of what is used by folks and what the pros and cons of each are. i do not actually think either of the two options mentioned above are the best bet for a beginner (despite the fact that I chose to use limewater for 20 years).

This is a good place to start (in my unbiased opinion lol):


The Many Methods for Supplementing Calcium and Alkalinity - REEFEDITION

 

[Zoe’s Reef]

Before leaping at random specific recommendations,. i'd suggest becoming familiar with an overview of what is used by folks and what the pros and cons of each are. i do not actually think either of the two options mentioned above are the best bet for a beginner (despite the fact that I chose to use limewater for 20 years).

This is a good place to start (in my unbiased opinion lol):


The Many Methods for Supplementing Calcium and Alkalinity - REEFEDITION

Thank you so much! I really appreciate the advice and I'll check out that link.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

You're welcome.

Happy reefing.

 

[plankton]

Sage advice from Randy as always. Consistency is also keep in reefkeeping as it make any changes slowly so our reef inhabitants can adjust. Some corals are forgiving when it comes to salinity or alk swings others are not. Most shrimp etc are poor osmoregulators and really stress out if salinity keeps changing. All-for-reef is fine product (and you can mix yourself) but it raises Alk/Calcium/Magnesium all at once as if the consumption was the same in your tank. I agree with Randy and with previous person who said simple water changes with quality salt is the simple way to go for a nano tank that is lightly stocked. Buy a good salinity meter and alk test kits and monitor when you do water changes and once a week to make sure things are ok.

 

[wranodj]

If your need arises you may be able to get away with kalkwasser in your ATO water for quite a while. 1 teaspoon per gallon max.

 

[Shaun Sweeney]

Please tell me more about how you use the pickling lime. What does it replace? Bi-carb?
This is the kalk I use, it's very cheap in the canning section at walmart

[/QUOTE]

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Please tell me more about how you use the pickling lime. What does it replace? Bi-carb?
This is the kalk I use, it's very cheap in the canning section at walmart

[/QUOTE]

You use calcium hydroxide (pickling lime) to supply both calcium and alkalinity. It also raises pH.

it is VERY high in pH and must be added VERY slowly, like dropwise.

This has more:

What Your Grandmother Never Told You About Lime by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

 

[Zoe’s Reef]

Sage advice from Randy as always. Consistency is also keep in reefkeeping as it make any changes slowly so our reef inhabitants can adjust. Some corals are forgiving when it comes to salinity or alk swings others are not. Most shrimp etc are poor osmoregulators and really stress out if salinity keeps changing. All-for-reef is fine product (and you can mix yourself) but it raises Alk/Calcium/Magnesium all at once as if the consumption was the same in your tank. I agree with Randy and with previous person who said simple water changes with quality salt is the simple way to go for a nano tank that is lightly stocked. Buy a good salinity meter and alk test kits and monitor when you do water changes and once a week to make sure things are ok.

Thank you for the advice!

 

[Nick428]

It depends if its packed with SPS coral 2 part supplements may need to be rigged to a dosing system for both convenience and to avoid large swings in calcium/alk.

But a general mixed reef or softies 2 parts contain everything you need for dosing.
In fact most tanks are overloaded with micro nutrients.