Chemicals

What chemicals do all of you guys use? Which ones would you recommend getting to start? I'm going to start getting them since my work was generous and gave out christmas bonuses this year . Also post which brands you like. Thanks!

I would recommend a 2-part calcium/alkalinity.  Other then that I would stay away from the "chemicals".

I agree with Jake also, but I believe the best thing you can do to your tank is frequent 10 to 15% waterchanges. I do ten gallons a week.

Eventually you will need some way to maintain alkalinity and calcium.  As Jake mentions, B-ionic (or some other 2 part) is a fine way to do this.  Everything else is optional and likely does more harm then good (IMO).  And Brad's advice of regular frequent water changes is the best advice here.

dkle, why do you add iodine?  do you have a iodine test that say you are low on it?  do you notice any difference in your corals if you don't add it or do a water change for a month?  i used to add iodine (at the rec of a LFS) and found out it wasn't doing JACK for my tank after not doing it for 2 months (same feeding schedule and water change) as when i was doing it.

i was displeased i spent $19.95 on it =/

-dwn

I would recomend that you don't add any chemicals without the capability of testing those chemicals. Many people have mentioned that they add chemicals all the time and they do nothing for their tank. But were they really needed in the first place?

As for water changes versus chemical additives, Providing a 50% water change for my 150g +40g would be around $50 a month. There is no way that I am willing to spend $50 a month on water changes, not to mention the time and pain in the @$#, and the chemicals that I add are much cheaper then this. $16 for kalkwasser mix from the lfs for alk and Ca and it will last around 6 months (which is cheaper if you buy pickling lime), baking soda for ph, and activated carbon occasionally. If you go with a 2 part solution you can do it yourself for a lot cheaper then the lfs bought b-ionic. I do add iodine when needed and it isn't needed often (but I did notice a large growth spert from my softies after adding it). For $50 I bought enough iodine and a test to last many years. I agree that large water changes are very helpful in a time of crisis, but I don't believe that they are as economical as dnellans states. On a side note, there are many people in the club that rarely do water changes and their tanks look awesome (keodog is one that comes to mind).

dkle, too much iodine/iodide can be very bad for your tank. But by the looks of your pics, your tank is doing just fine.


Edited by jeffras