What and When to use supplements... Iodide, Magnesium, Stron

[aentrop]

When and why would anyone add additives to their reef tank?

I know theres a good reason, I just don't have a good understanding of what each does...

Can we get an explanation of the following, Benefits, Harms, Frequency of Dosing... and whatever else you think is important...

Strontium, Iodide/Iodine, Molybdenum, Essential Elements, Coral Vite, Iron and Manganese, Lugol's Solution, Zoecon... and anything else...

Also how do you test to see if you need any of these?

I'm sure there's lots of people who would be interested in this if we could get a really good write up on each of these, and if it turns out well, maybe make it a sticky.

 

[Firewolf4]

a good rule of thumb is if you dose it, you also need to test it. Some of the items you mentioned are basically the same thing (Lugols and iodine, etc). I tend to doze to keep my parameters at acceptable levels.
Ca- 420-460
Mag=Ca x 3 (1260-1380).
I don't dose anything other than those with the exception of Iodine for the mushrooms (waiting on test kit so I go by visable results) and baking soda for Alk and pH.
I test paremeters every 3rd day and do 5-15% water changes about once a month. I do also recommend testing pH during the day (lights on) and during the night (lights off) to see what sort of pH swing you have.

 

[DaveJ]

I do a few drops of lugols per every other week. Calcium, Alk and Mg only. I know some that stand by weekly does of stronium and am considering it since it helps with coral building etc. Other than that though I wouldn't worry about the others as water changes will take care of it. That's why we do them on a regular basis.

 

[Opus]

@DaveJ wrote:

I thought you were dosing Vit C also?

I usually only do a water change every 5 or 6 months so I dose the normal stuff I can measure like cal and mag. I dose Essential Elements/coral vite every couple of weeks since I know I'm not replenishing anything with water changes. I also dose aminos.

 

[Rick]

In almost every case as a beginner if you use a good synthetic salt and do regular water changes you should be fine without adding any of those supplements. You do need to watch the Ph, alkalinity, ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates, and keep a stable temperature. As the tank matures and the need increases for some supplements because you are running a reef tank, you start watching the calcium, magnesium and alkalinity more closely. You may then have to supplement those items above what you are getting from the salt you are using.
As you increase your needs because the tank is maturing, you are constantly will increase your knowledge and get to know what you tank needs and what junk on the market you can do without.
The best rule of thumb you should take to heart as a newcomer is what
Firewolf4 already stated, if you do not test for it and know the levels already in your tank, do not add it.

 

[DaveJ]

@Opus wrote:

I thought you were dosing Vit C also?

"]

Nope.. After about a week, I had some losses and other odd issues so I stopped. Since then, I haven't had any of those issues at all.

 

[aentrop]

So Magnesium = Calcium x 3?

So... If I add calcium, and not magnesium, where does the rest of the mag come from?

Or your saying I should dose magnesium at the same time as calc, but dose 3 times as much mag?

My parameters currently are:
calcium 435,
Alkalinity 4
P04 .2
Nitrate 0
Nitrite 0
Ammonia 0
pH 8.2

My calcium is that high (or rather, high enough to be acceptable), and the 150 gallon reef is only 1 year old, and I have never dosed anything except for Iodine about once a month... Where does the calcium from?

 

[aentrop]

Ok so you all told me what and when you dose, but what exactly do the dosings do, and what do they help, and how do you know they are helping?

Someone said they add Iodine for the mushrooms, but how exactly does it help the mushrooms? Extension, growth rate, color?

 

[bimmerzs]

Hi,

As stated already....if ya don't test for it, don't add it(at least not until you totally understand water chemistry and learn to properly observe your corals reactions). Said another way...just cause someone else add's xxx every week, doesn't mean you should. :lol: Each tank and it's requirements differ based on a whole lot of different aspects which is why there is no one method for havig a successful reeef tank. Here is an excellent article for you to gather information to help understand how the different elements come into play in your tank. :wink: http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php

Cheers,

 

[aentrop]

How do you test for magnesium?

 

[Opus]

Several companies make test kits. I personally like the one from Elos but Salifert and Red Sea also have test kits. Basic rule is to keep it around 3x your calcium level.

 

[Rick]

@aentrop wrote:

Here are a couple of articles on the subjects. You can start here.
http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=102605
:wink: