Must have nutrients/additives in a Biocube29

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dallasflyfisher

Here is another question since Iodine was brought up in my Molting Shrimp thread I was hoping someone could shed some light on another question that has been bothering me. OR actually a couple of questions.
My water params tested out great with
0 Ammonia
0 Nitrite
0.02 Nitrate
8.4 ph
1.023 sg
78-80 deg depending on how long the lights have been on.
Calcium I am not sure exactly what it tested at, the LFS (DNA) said it was a bit low, but just fine since I wasn't keeping any SPS.

The tank has small shrooms, Zoa, Pom Pom Xenia, GSP, Neon GSP, 1 Candy Cane, Kenya Tree, Peppermint Shrimp, Hermits, a couple of snails and Gold Striped Maroon.

I currently add 5ml of DT's every other day.
I add 8 drops of Kents Iodine every other day.

Other then that I feed pellets to my Clown and once in a while (every 3rd or 4th day)I will drop in 4-6 Mysis even though the Gold Banded Maroon doesn't really like them all that much. He will eat one or two I let the rest settle to the bottom for the Peppermint and hermits.

Other then that, what would you all recommend as a regular "must have" addition to my regiment?

last question
Is Purple Up worth the $17 a bottle or is there a different alternative?
 
Hi,

Even on your size tank you should be maintaining Calcium, alkalinity and magnesium within NSW ranges. Iodine should be added as needed not just blindly added without testing for it imo. You have to be careful adding additives to your tank, for example purple-up contains calcium and iodine, if you are adding other things w/o monitoring their levels, you can get your tanks water chemistry out of balance really quick. Regular water changes with a good quality salt should replenish everything you really need in a low demand tank. It's pretty hard to know what your tank needs if you don't test for it. If you have corals that like iodine such as xenia then you still should test for iodine before using it.

Cheers,
 
I don't add anything other then Iodine right now, and it is only 3 times a week due to the Xenia's and Shrimp (Kent's Iodine suggested the rate of addition 8 drops every day, but I do half that amount not to overload the tank) Is there a LFS that carries an Iodine test kit? I haven't seen one, but I would hate to overload on the iodine.
I use Red Sea salt and a 5 Gal (20%) RO/DI water every Saturday. My parameters have been rock solid for over a month. I am glad you mentioned the Purple Up contents, it is one of the additives I was considering and noticed on the label that it had an awful lot of extra's I am not using in my tank, I was hoping I could find a viable alternative or suggestions on how to get Coraline growth on a more natural manor.
 
Nothing. I would even quit the iodine. You don't need any of it with regular water changes.

You do need to keep your alk and calcium up though as others have suggested it just promtes a healthy tank even though it's a soft tank. You won't have to add much so it should be super cheap to do. B-Ionic is my facorite 2 part but you could add kalk through topoff, you can used baked baking soda and pool calcium, lots of options here.
 
@kwl1763 wrote:
Nothing. I would even quit the iodine. You don't need any of it with regular water changes. You do need to keep your alk and calcium up though as others have suggested it just promtes a healthy tank even though it's a soft tank. You won't have to add much so it should be super cheap to do. B-Ionic is my facorite 2 part but you could add kalk through topoff said:
There is a two part syatem that is sold for Nano Tanks. It is made by Kent. It is Calcium and something else that I can not think of. I use it on mine. I agree with dropping the Iodine and keeping up the water changes. Calcium is the main thing you have to add in a Nano.
Click to expand...
 
I've been using the Kent NANO PART A PART B calcium suppliment and It seems to be great. With any calcium supplement your PH will change. The PART B of this system is a buffer to regulate your PH levels.
 
@XWIG16 wrote:
I've been using the Kent NANO PART A PART B calcium suppliment and It seems to be great. With any calcium supplement your PH will change. The PART B of this system is a buffer to regulate your PH levels. said:
Usually 2 parts are calcium and alkalinity buffers. Your alkalinity will help maintain your PH levels. As mentioned before, you really should maintain Ca, Alk and Mg at NSW levels to keep your water chemistry balanced imo. If you can do this through water changes then why waste the money and risk screwing up your water chemistry??/

Cheers,
Click to expand...
 
WOW, I don't add anything. I didn't know I should add anything, I have 24g nano with 2 clown, shrimp, emerald crab, 2 turbo's and other cleanup crew, some GSP, but have never added anything, water shows within parameters. About 8 months now, with no real problems. Water changes about 2 weeks apart, sometimes 3 weeks. About 4-5 gal when changed.
 
If your wanting to test for Iodine, there are LFS's that carry them. I know DNA and Aquatic Trading in Garland carry them.

Definately don't add Iodine without testing.. imo
 
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