What I need to dose with?

[LEROY]

Hey I was wondering what I would need to dose my tank with if I wanted to keep a few Zoa's, a Ric and maybe a Frogspawn. I have a 10 gallon FOLWR right now but corals are tempting me every trip I take to the fish store. If anyone could tell me what I need in regards to additives it would be appreciated.
-Thanks, Steve.

[JD]

Probably the easiest thing to dose with would be Fauna Marins Bio Calcium. It has pretty much everything you need.
Naturally you will need to test your water accordingly.

[LEROY]

Thank you, yeah tests will be purchased at the same time. Would you know where I could pick up some of the Fauna Marins Bio Calcium? It would be nice to have only one thing to dose with.
-Thanks, Steve.

[RossW]

I am not familair with Fauna Marin BioCalcium, possibly you mean Tropic Marin BioCalcium.  If you decided to go the Tropic Marin BioCalcium route be sure to what your alkalinity.  I used to use it in the past and found it raised my alk higher than I was comfortable with.

[RoxyDog]

Hey I was wondering what I would need to dose my tank with if I wanted to keep a few Zoa's, a Ric and maybe a Frogspawn.

Nothing, you don't need to dose your tank.  Your salt mix should provide everything you need for those corals.  If you get heavy into LPS or SPS, then look at dosing. 

[mikerobart]

Frequent enough water changes MIGHT keep your parameters in check depending on demand. I have heard good things about the tropic marin bio calcium... bit pricey for me but good product I think.

I'm using ca/alk/mag from bulk reef supply. They claim pharmaceutical grade chemicals and prices are pretty cheap.

[mikerobart]

Just noticed it's a 10g.... if your very careful frequent 10-25 changes should keep you in check. This article will give you an idea of how water changes impact levels.... it's really just a bunch of simple mass balances so pretty easy to value and the calculations are not really integral to the understanding but worth a read imo:

http://www.reefs.org/library/article/t_brightbill_wc.html

Oh, and despite what this guy says, I still think water changes are a good safety check... I have been lazy in the past with them and still have had success but still is reccomended.

[LEROY]

Awesome, thanks for the replies everyone. Now, this tank is a FOWLR stocked with 2 false percs right now and I was wondering when I put the corals in, what is the best way to switch over to ro/di? I am currently just using RO and was wondering if I should do like a 50% water change and then do another 50% later on both times adding RO/DI? Also does anyone know if the "Labrador" distilled water would be safe to use? Expensive, but until I get an ro/di it will have to do I guess. Any suggestions again would be appreciated.
Thanks, Steve.

[Vincenzo.]

just do simple 10-20% water changes. And from what i understand labrador is ok to use. Correct me if im wrong. Because thats what im using.

[PMurphy]

From my understanding Labrador does not have quite as good a reputation as Culligan. It makes it harder to find water as Labrador is more prevalent, but I was told it is better water.

As far as dosing, your calc, mag, levels etc should be maintained by water changes on a tank of your size. You might consider dosing organics though, to increase the colour and growth of your corals. Fauna Marin has a great line of amino acids and organic trace elements that I dose with. After about a month the difference to your corals is astounding.

[LEROY]

Thanks for all of the replies everyone. I am already getting anxious about getting those corals. I know that there is a place on Richmond road that sells distilled by the gallon so I might check that out as well. Well I'll be getting everything together in the next few weeks and I will post pics as soon as I get the first one in there.
-Steve.

[mikerobart]

LEROY what kind of lighting are you running... zoo's and lps don't need the kind of light sps or clams do but you do still need to consider adequate lighting.

[LEROY]

I was thinking of running one of these (6500k) http://www.fishtail.ca/product.php?id=LI084 and maybe a 50/50 daylight actinic or just actinic. Do you think that would be enough light?
-Steve

[LEROY]

Input anyone? On lighting.

[Tyler.L]

are they pc bulbs or what

i hate 6500 im not gonna lie looks brutal....go, 50/50, and a 420 or 460 if you can if you want the blue coloration and a nice coral coloration

[LEROY]

Thanks I found what you are talking about and I'll give those a shot. Yeah they are pc, right now about all I can afford lol. Ghetto reefer.

[Tyler.L]

get a 70w halide on that will be so much better theres some for sale in the classifieds...i would get one of those on a 10g over pcs...just my imo and get the esv b-ionic calcium and alk and then get the mag also i havent tried the mag but im going to get it cause the cal and alk is awsome and the mag should be as equally awsome

[Vincenzo.]

ya next thing i Buy will be ESV B-Ionic 2 part to go with my Sugar Dosing.