What do I need to keep toadstools xenias zoas etc.

[Unitylover]

Magnesium? Calcium? Alk?

 

[MERKEY]

Really what ever your salt mixes to will be fine.

Usually softy tanks can be kept with weekly water changes until they get really large.

 

[Unitylover]

I use basic IO. does it have any additives.
FYI it's a 10 gal tank with a clown and firefish

 

[dedragon]

RODI water or distilled is pretty important if you dont have access yet.
I wouldnt really test as they are so easy to keep and weekly water changes will do most of the work. Best tests to have are high quality (salifert, nyos, red sea, hanna checkers) Nitrate, phosphate, pH, calcium, alk, magnesium if you want to start dosing you will need these to make sure you are doing it correctly

 

[dedragon]

I would upgrade to a 20 gallon from petco if this is a first saltwater tank though as that will help so much with tank stability, usually only costs 20 at petco as well. Lighting not too important as they are super low light corals but it is always nice to have a quality light

 

[Unitylover]

I would upgrade to a 20 gallon from petco if this is a first saltwater tank though as that will help so much with tank stability, usually only costs 20 at petco as well. Lighting not too important as they are super low light corals but it is always nice to have a quality light

I can't get a larger tank due to space issues. I'm getting a 10000k light soon, I'm mainly asking for magnesium calcium alk and if I need them

 

[Doctorgori]

I’d just do water changes and/or kalkwasser and/or. all-for-reef
although I doubt it comes to that..
most any small 30w- 50w led is plenty for a 20 or 10g
….I’d just cop a few gallons of distilled water for now, put a mark on the glass and just fill daily to top that line
you can get by pretty well with a hanna alk and UL phosphate checkers, maybe throw in a decent nitrate and calcium test kit
…don’t over think it

 

[Unitylover]

Just what parameters do I need. IS alk nessacery? Is magnesium nessacery

 

[MERKEY]

Just what parameters do I need. IS alk nessacery? Is magnesium nessacery

Whatever salt you are using will add what you need.

What does you salt say it mixes to?

The values on the salt mix are fine for sofites.

 

[MERKEY]

Just what parameters do I need. IS alk nessacery? Is magnesium nessacery

They are all necessary and your salt mix has them in it.

 

[Unitylover]

Oh regular IO mixes.with that? I didn't know

 

[MERKEY]

Oh regular IO mixes.with that? I didn't know

Look on the box and it will tell you what the values are.

I don't use it but here's Google lol

 

[Doctorgori]

maybe this helps…
stability is key but based on what you have I wouldn't take that too far and worry more about water quality.

Changing 10-20% of adjusted water weekly will do less harm and more good than worrying over “stability” …at least with clownfish and a few softies…
in other words I’d bet changing 2gal a week with religious weekly/bi weekly testing and you’ll be fine I’d wager

 

[Unitylover]

I usally change about a gallon of water weekly, so that means alk mag and cal are fine. Tanks!

 

[dedragon]

I can't get a larger tank due to space issues. I'm getting a 10000k light soon, I'm mainly asking for magnesium calcium alk and if I need them

10k doesnt mean a quality light fixture, link the light you are looking at... a 10 gallon is 20x 10.5 inches and a 20 gallon high is 25 by 13.25 inches, it really shouldnt make a difference space wise

 

[Unitylover]

10k doesnt mean a quality light fixture, link the light you are looking at... a 10 gallon is 20x 10.5 inches and a 20 gallon high is 25 by 13.25 inches, it really shouldnt make a difference space wise

huh, Im getting the 10000k because blues grow corals better. I didnt know a 20 gal was that size, I might upgrade in the future.

 

[dedragon]

yes but kelvin ratings and light fixtures are completely different things. It is a lot too go into but that is why the higher end light fixtures usually cost more, more light, higher par, higher quality components. If you link the light us on the forum can let you know if it is high quality or not. When you buy lower quality things you end up needing to replace it in a year most of the time

 

[Doctorgori]

I’d get one of those nicrews for like $60 and call it even

 

[Unitylover]

The thing is, my mom already ordered it. I also got an API reef test kit, mainly for the Phosphate and ph readings.

 

[Unitylover]

also the light I got is basically a NICREW light but its from a more trusted aquarium brand.