What is what? How much? When do I add?

[Cherylann]

I'm four months in with my new Saltwater Reef tank. Every time I buy a fish or coral I'm thrown a million things to put in my tank for nutrition, food, protein, cleaning etc. At this point I’m so confused on what is what. Some of the items I have seem to do the same thing. I'll post a picture of what I've acquired over the past few months. My fish and coral are doing great. My levels are where they need to be. I just want to completely understand what I have, when to use it, and what it is for. Can someone please help me with what is what, what it for, and when I use it and how? Please give me some guidance

FOOD: (Is this to much food?)

Frozen Cyclopods (mini) (1/2 cube a day)
Frozen Spirulin Brine (1/2 cube a day)
Frozen Mysis (1/2 cube once a week)
Pellets (pinch a day)
Reef Roids (haven’t used yet)
Reef Plankton (once a week)

What I have to add in the tank is as follows:
Seed Bacteria

Are these three the same? How often should I use them?

Red Sea Reef Energy Coral Nutrition A & B
Red Sea Coral Colors C
Kent essential elements

Are these both the same? Do I use when PH is low?

Reef Buffer
Kent pro buffer dKH

When and how do I use the following?

Seachem Prime
Kent Pro Ammonia Detox
Chemi-pure
Chemi-Clean

Here is my tank equipment:
Fluval Flex 32 gallon tank.
2 X Activated carbon insert
2 X BioMax insert
Marine Spectrum LED : Watts: 41W, LUMENS: 1800, Number of LED's 252
Pump
2 – powerhead – Voyager Nano 1,000 each
Skimmer – Macro Aqua N-50

Live Rock
2 Clown Fish (Med)
2 Yellow Tail Damsel (small)
1 Green Mandarin (Med)
1 Yellow Watchman Goby (Med)
1 Fairy Wrasse (Med)
1 Banggai Cardinal (Med)
1 Bi-Color Dottyback (small)
1 Toadstool
3 very small colonies of Zoanthuds
4 different Mushrooms
1 Blue Xenia
1 Green Star
1 Taro tree
1 Duncan

 

[andrewey]

First off, welcome to Reef2Reef!

Did I read it correctly that you have 9 fish in your 32? Have you measured your water parameters recently- it would help to learn what your nutrient levels are.

It seems like you're feeding quite a bit for a 32!

I can go line by line, but at this point and the corals you have, almost all of the chemicals you've listed aren't truely necessary right now. First, how often do you perform water changes?

 

[Traian]

This hobby can be simple and "relatively" inexpensive, or very expensive and as "complicated" as putting a rocket in orbit, with different shades in between. It's all what you make of it.

As a beginner I'd advise to "keep it simple". It's very easy to get overwhelmed with the amount of different ways to do things.

In regards to your setup, that's way too much fish livestock for a 3 gallon nano tank. The food types, portions, and frequency sound about right for the amount of fish you have, but definitely a lot for such a small tank. You're basically going to need a 50% water change daily, and I'm not sure if that will be enough to keep nutrients under control.

 

[Cwentz758]

Nooo it says 3.2gallons. If that’s true that is a TON of fish for the tank. If it’s 32 I’m ok with it since many of those fish are small and stay pretty small. As for all that stuff.... who’s saying to buy all that? Your Local fish store? If so they need a slap.

 

[Cwentz758]

Can we get a full tank shot? Out of all that stuff I see coral RX and prime (always good to have on hand) the rest just seem like buffers to push down stuff that’s going to rise with that amount of fish in a 3 gallon tank. The Red Sea coral stuff isn’t a need, nothing wrong with it just not needed for such a small tank as your water changes should provide plenty of nutrients/elements corals need.

 

[Cherylann]

Thank you for the welcome. I do a ten gallon water change every week diligently. My parameters are good. Minor algea bloom but I've adjusted my lighting and it is now in control. When I feed the cubes I let them sit in a cup of water from the tank and just pour in when melted. The corals are frags that I am going to set up on the Live Rock this weekend. An example of my confusion is: For the Corals do I need to feed the Plankton, Reef Roids, Red Sea A & B and C etc. Because I'm feeding one thing does it take care of the other? Like Reef Roids, do I need to still feed the Plankton?

 

[Traian]

Thank you for the welcome. I do a ten gallon water change every week diligently. My parameters are good. Minor algea bloom but I've adjusted my lighting and it is now in control. When I feed the cubes I let them sit in a cup of water from the tank and just pour in when melted. The corals are frags that I am going to set up on the Live Rock this weekend. An example of my confusion is: For the Corals do I need to feed the Plankton, Reef Roids, Red Sea A & B and C etc. Because I'm feeding one thing does it take care of the other? Like Reef Roids, do I need to still feed the Plankton?

Ok, this post makes it sound as if there's a decimal point typo in your original post where it reads 3.2 gallons as the size of your tank. Your livestock levels are way too much for 3.2, but can work in a 32, though that's still a considerable amount so don't add any more.

 

[Cwentz758]

Phew... so it is a 32 gallon not a 3.2? I believe you only need to really feed one. I’d go with the Roids or the Red Sea a&b. If you look on the back of them they contain roughly the same things, different aminos and proteins.

 

[Cherylann]

This hobby can be simple and "relatively" inexpensive, or very expensive and as "complicated" as putting a rocket in orbit, with different shades in between. It's all what you make of it.

As a beginner I'd advise to "keep it simple". It's very easy to get overwhelmed with the amount of different ways to do things.

In regards to your setup, that's way too much fish livestock for a 3 gallon nano tank. The food types, portions, and frequency sound about right for the amount of fish you have, but definitely a lot for such a small tank. You're basically going to need a 50% water change daily, and I'm not sure if that will be enough to keep nutrients under control.

Nooo it says 3.2gallons. If that’s true that is a TON of fish for the tank. If it’s 32 I’m ok with it since many of those fish are small and stay pretty small. As for all that stuff.... who’s saying to buy all that? Your Local fish store? If so they need a slap.

Ok, this post makes it sound as if there's a decimal point typo in your original post where it reads 3.2 gallons as the size of your tank. Your livestock levels are way too much for 3.2, but can work in a 32, though that's still a considerable amount so don't add any more.

I corrected the gallons to 32. Sorry about that

 

[Cherylann]

Can we get a full tank shot? Out of all that stuff I see coral RX and prime (always good to have on hand) the rest just seem like buffers to push down stuff that’s going to rise with that amount of fish in a 3 gallon tank. The Red Sea coral stuff isn’t a need, nothing wrong with it just not needed for such a small tank as your water changes should provide plenty of nutrients/elements corals need.

 

[Cherylann]

Phew... so it is a 32 gallon not a 3.2? I believe you only need to really feed one. I’d go with the Roids or the Red Sea a&b. If you look on the back of them they contain roughly the same things, different aminos and proteins.

Okay, so when I start with the Roids should I spot feed every day? Also, don't use the Red Sea A&B? What about the Red Sea C? What about the Kent essentials? Is that the same as Red Sea A&B? (the different aminos and proteins is what gets me confused, since they are different in that aspect I feel I need to give both but just dial down the dosage) Ugghhh.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Please help us help you. . . . . How old is this tank ???
Im assuming it is new and very stocked for new and will end in death of some occupants.

As for your questions:

FOOD: (Is this to much food?)

Frozen Cyclopods (mini) (1/2 cube a day)
Frozen Spirulin Brine (1/2 cube a day) Mix all three for a varied diet. Refridgerate leftovers for next feeding
Frozen Mysis (1/2 cube once a week)
Pellets (pinch a day) - OK
Reef Roids (haven’t used yet) - This is coral food. Hold off until tank is well seeded.
Reef Plankton (once a week) - OK

What I have to add in the tank is as follows:
Seed Bacteria - For the first 6 weeks, , , Yes and then occasionally weekly

Are these three the same? How often should I use them?

Red Sea Reef Energy Coral Nutrition A & B - Nutrient feeding for coral
Red Sea Coral Colors C - Totally different
Kent essential elements - Restores elements especially if you are not doing regular water changes

Are these both the same? Do I use when PH is low?

Reef Buffer - Does more harm than good
Kent pro buffer dKH - Ok, but add to sump, not tank

When and how do I use the following?

Seachem Prime - when mixing new water
Kent Pro Ammonia Detox - removes chlorine, etc if present in your water (RO water is best)
Chemi-pure - Use to polish water and remove harmful elements or medication
Chemi-Clean - Use if/when you develope cyano red bactria in tank

 

[Cwentz758]

Okay, so when I start with the Roids should I spot feed every day? Also, don't use the Red Sea A&B? What about the Red Sea C? What about the Kent essentials? Is that the same as Red Sea A&B? (the different aminos and proteins is what gets me confused, since they are different in that aspect I feel I need to give both but just dial down the dosage) Ugghhh.

Negative, I spot feed my reef Roids once a week. I don’t want all the excess nutrients in my tank from the left overs.

ahhh vette is here listen to him he’s got great advice.

 

[mike550]

@Cherylann welcome to R2R!

Lots of great advice going on here. And to @Traian comment -- I am definitely in the keep things simple for as long as you can.

I've been at this for around ten months, and here are a few things I've figured out.
1. Figure out what you want your water parameters to be and then try to keep them as stable as possible.
2. Water changes solve a lot of problems.
3. "Less is more" -- I like to take the time to understand what my tank is doing "naturally" instead of trying to manage through additives, etc. Of course once you figure out that your tank needs something (like Alk or Ca because of corals) then you start adding things.

Here's my schedule:
Daily -- feed frozen food (pellets every now and then) and feed corals with RedSea Reef Energy (about 50% recommended dose). I am now (after about nine months) dosing Alk and Ca.
Weekly -- 10-15% water changes, and Reef Chili for corals (about 50% recommended)
Every three days I measure salinity, temp, nitrate, calcium, magnesium, alkalinity, and phosphates.

Good luck, and keep on asking the right questions!

 

[Cherylann]

Please help us help you. . . . . How old is this tank ???
Im assuming it is new and very stocked for new and will end in death of some occupants.

As for your questions:

FOOD: (Is this to much food?)

Frozen Cyclopods (mini) (1/2 cube a day)
Frozen Spirulin Brine (1/2 cube a day) Mix all three for a varied diet. Refridgerate leftovers for next feeding
Frozen Mysis (1/2 cube once a week)
Pellets (pinch a day) - OK
Reef Roids (haven’t used yet) - This is coral food. Hold off until tank is well seeded.
Reef Plankton (once a week) - OK

What I have to add in the tank is as follows:
Seed Bacteria - For the first 6 weeks, , , Yes and then occasionally weekly

Are these three the same? How often should I use them?

Red Sea Reef Energy Coral Nutrition A & B - Nutrient feeding for coral
Red Sea Coral Colors C - Totally different
Kent essential elements - Restores elements especially if you are not doing regular water changes

Are these both the same? Do I use when PH is low?

Reef Buffer - Does more harm than good
Kent pro buffer dKH - Ok, but add to sump, not tank

When and how do I use the following?

Seachem Prime - when mixing new water
Kent Pro Ammonia Detox - removes chlorine, etc if present in your water (RO water is best)
Chemi-pure - Use to polish water and remove harmful elements or medication
Chemi-Clean - Use if/when you develope cyano red bactria in tank

Awesome: Okay so... Mix three frozen foods (which I already add to cup of water from tank then pour in tank when disolved. Should I spot feed instead?) Keep up with the Plankton and Pellets as I am doing. What do you mean regarding the Roids and seeding? What do you mean by seeding? I'm sorry but I am really new at this...

Seed Bacteria- keep adding once a week.

Red Sea and Kent - Should I be adding on a regular basis? If yes, how often?

Kent Pro buffer - Is that something I need to add on a regular?

Kent Pro Ammonia Detox - would I also use this if I have an ammonia spike?

Seachem Prime - When you say new water should I add every water change to the RO water I use? I use Red Sea Salt and RO when I do my water changes. I usually add 1ml every water change.

Chemi - Pure - Should I add when I have an issue, once a week, once a month?

 

[Cherylann]

@Cherylann welcome to R2R!

Lots of great advice going on here. And to @Traian comment -- I am definitely in the keep things simple for as long as you can.

I've been at this for around ten months, and here are a few things I've figured out.
1. Figure out what you want your water parameters to be and then try to keep them as stable as possible.
2. Water changes solve a lot of problems.
3. "Less is more" -- I like to take the time to understand what my tank is doing "naturally" instead of trying to manage through additives, etc. Of course once you figure out that your tank needs something (like Alk or Ca because of corals) then you start adding things.

Here's my schedule:
Daily -- feed frozen food (pellets every now and then) and feed corals with RedSea Reef Energy (about 50% recommended dose). I am now (after about nine months) dosing Alk and Ca.
Weekly -- 10-15% water changes, and Reef Chili for corals (about 50% recommended)
Every three days I measure salinity, temp, nitrate, calcium, magnesium, alkalinity, and phosphates.

Good luck, and keep on asking the right questions!

Thank you. How often do you feed the Reef Energy? Reef Chili is the same as Roids correct? How often do you feed the Reef Chili?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Awesome: Okay so... Mix three frozen foods (which I already add to cup of water from tank then pour in tank when disolved. Should I spot feed instead?) Keep up with the Plankton and Pellets as I am doing. What do you mean regarding the Roids and seeding? What do you mean by seeding? I'm sorry but I am really new at this...

Seed Bacteria- keep adding once a week.

Red Sea and Kent - Should I be adding on a regular basis? If yes, how often? Kent- once a weekRed Sea - Every other night at lights out

Kent Pro buffer - Is that something I need to add on a regular? No, unless you have a PH issue

Kent Pro Ammonia Detox - would I also use this if I have an ammonia spike? That's Prime. Use this at water change

Seachem Prime - When you say new water should I add every water change to the RO water I use? I use Red Sea Salt and RO when I do my water changes. I usually add 1ml every water change. At water change with new water and if you see a spike in ammonia

Chemi - Pure - Should I add when I have an issue, once a week, once a month? It comes in a pouch. Change pouch every 3 months

A new tank must be seeded (cycled and have adequate bacteria to break down waste)

seedBacteria- keep adding once a week. Yes and at water changes

Red Sea and Kent - Should I be adding on a regular basis? If yes, how often?

Kent Pro buffer - Is that something I need to add on a regular?

Kent Pro Ammonia Detox - would I also use this if I have an ammonia spike?

Seachem Prime - When you say new water should I add every water change to the RO water I use? I use Red Sea Salt and RO when I do my water changes. I usually add 1ml every water change.

Chemi - Pure - Should I add when I have an issue, once a week, once a month?

Kent Pro buffer - Is that something I need to add on a regular? No, unless you have a PH issue

Kent Pro Ammonia Detox - would I also use this if I have an ammonia spike? That's Prime. Use this at water change

Seachem Prime - When you say new water should I add every water change to the RO water I use? I use Red Sea Salt and RO when I do my water changes. I usually add 1ml every water change. At water change with new water and if you see a spike in ammonia

Chemi - Pure - Should I add when I have an issue, once a week, once a month? It comes in a pouch. Change pouch every 3 months
[/QUOTE]
A new tank must be seeded (cycled and have adequate bacteria to break down waste)

seedBacteria- keep adding once a week. Yes and at water changes

 

[Cherylann]

A new tank must be seeded (cycled and have adequate bacteria to break down waste)

seedBacteria- keep adding once a week. Yes and at water changes

Red Sea and Kent - Should I be adding on a regular basis? If yes, how often?

Kent Pro buffer - Is that something I need to add on a regular?

Kent Pro Ammonia Detox - would I also use this if I have an ammonia spike?

Seachem Prime - When you say new water should I add every water change to the RO water I use? I use Red Sea Salt and RO when I do my water changes. I usually add 1ml every water change.

Chemi - Pure - Should I add when I have an issue, once a week, once a month?

Kent Pro buffer - Is that something I need to add on a regular? No, unless you have a PH issue

Kent Pro Ammonia Detox - would I also use this if I have an ammonia spike? That's Prime. Use this at water change

Seachem Prime - When you say new water should I add every water change to the RO water I use? I use Red Sea Salt and RO when I do my water changes. I usually add 1ml every water change. At water change with new water and if you see a spike in ammonia

Chemi - Pure - Should I add when I have an issue, once a week, once a month? It comes in a pouch. Change pouch every 3 months

A new tank must be seeded (cycled and have adequate bacteria to break down waste)

seedBacteria- keep adding once a week. Yes and at water changes
[/QUOTE]

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. This clears up so much for me and helps me understand. I never even opened up the Chemi-pure so I didn't even realize it was a pouch. I will add the pouch on Saturday after I do my water change. Is the Chemi-Pure the same as the poly filters they have out? Now that I understand what seeded is, yes, my tank has been property cycled with adequate bacteria. I just haven't been continually adding the SeedBacteria, but I will make sure to do it once a week with my water changes from this point on.

 

[mike550]

Thank you. How often do you feed the Reef Energy? Reef Chili is the same as Roids correct? How often do you feed the Reef Chili?

Reef Energy is something I use daily. But at 50% the recommended dosage.

Reef Chili and Reef Roids are pretty much the same — although I’m sure some will disagree. But I feed Reef Chili once a week. I spot feed the Reef Chili using a feeder tube which is basically a 1/4” clear tube with a bulb on the end. Like. Turkey baster but long and narrow.

 

[ademeel]

A new tank must be seeded (cycled and have adequate bacteria to break down waste)

seedBacteria- keep adding once a week. Yes and at water changes

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. This clears up so much for me and helps me understand. I never even opened up the Chemi-pure so I didn't even realize it was a pouch. I will add the pouch on Saturday after I do my water change. Is the Chemi-Pure the same as the poly filters they have out? Now that I understand what seeded is, yes, my tank has been property cycled with adequate bacteria. I just haven't been continually adding the SeedBacteria, but I will make sure to do it once a week with my water changes from this point on.
[/QUOTE]