Test Kits And Additives For A Reef Tank

[canyoubelieveit]

I am planning to upgrade from FOWLR to a full blown reef tank.

Tank specs:
45 gallon tank
40 pounds substrate
45-50 pounds LR
CPR Bakpak skimmer

Recently purchased a lighting hood with 175 MH (20,000 k) and 2 - 65 watt PC actinic
It also has moonlights for full spectrum lighting.

The tank has been running for 9 months now and I have decided that I want to keep corals

What test kits and additives are need to help me prepare for corals.

thanks-
CYBI

 

[RoyalGrammaPrincessHannah]

You will need a trace elements supplement, and a test kit for calcium. Also make sure that if you dont use RO water that it doesnt put any copper into your system, which is deadly to inverts, and also hard to get out of rock and sand so if you do have any, you may have to wait a while before introducing any corals and just do some extra water changing.

 

[canyoubelieveit]

Ok... I guess I wasn't clear on this, but... I'm more interested in brands for the test kit. I'm well aware that I need supplements and a calcium test. Actually, I'm planning on getting a full reef test kit. Hopefully including calcium, magnesium, ammonia, Alk., and iodine. I just need info on what brands work best.

Thanks for the reply. Maybe by clearing things up, I can get the answer I was wanting.

 

[steelhealr]

First off, I disagree with 'additives' for your tank. Recent articles by a 'leading' author in a major reefing magazing suggest that it only contributes to algae blooms. Water changes are still your best friend for now and really should replace everything you need.

As for test kits, I still use Aquarium Pharmaceuticals and think they are a solid test kit. The Merceds Benz of test kits is Salifert, but, very expensive. The complete marine test kit goes for about $200 + dollars. Individual test kits go for $18-28. I will add that, if you have the funds, a pH monitor was well worth the investment for me. Pinpoint makes a reasonable one.

For initial startup, the following are what I would deem essential:

-ammonia
-nitrite
-nitrate
-pH
-alkalinitiy
-calcium

Troubleshooting test kits, if you develop a problem, and mostly not needed with excellent water husbandry techniques:
-phosphate, if you are having water quality issues
-magnesium, after having a fully stocked reef tank and pH/alkalinity issues are a problem in the face of normal calcium levels.
-iodine, however, if you are going to test for iodine, you need a test kit (Salifert) that will test for all three species of iodine....really not essential at all for now

JMO.
SH

 

[canyoubelieveit]

Sounds good to me. I have the Aquarium pharm. saltwater master kit... So, I guess I just need to purchase calcium and alkalinity test kits for now. I may end up looking at the salifert for those two.

Thanks for the advice.

CYBI

BTW... I swapped up my CPR bakpak for an Aqua C Remora pro with Mag drive 3 and overflow box...

I think this was a pretty good purchase, 250 dollars for a much better skimmer...

 

[Chac]

IMO Salifert Test Kits & Additive are not really needed if you keep up with your water changes

PS

are you adding Softy or Stoney (SPS, LPS)Corals

 

[canyoubelieveit]

I'm definitely considering adding other corals. I'm going to start with Zoas, then move onto softies... then I will go from there. Unfortunately, I have to move this tank in about 6 months, so I have to keep that in mind as well.

Chac (or others)- Anything that you noticed that I should be made aware of before doing this?

 

[Chac]

From what I see it all looks fine

IMO looking after softies isnt really a great task, I would get a hold of some decent Coral food (ie marine dream marine Snow) or the likes.

Also make sure the livestock you have at the moment are reefsafe

I am gonna be honest & say that apart from a daily reading of my salinity & temp (& the usual headcount) I very rarely do a full blow test these days, but in the early days of a chance like yours it is definatly a good idea to keep an eye on your parameters