Supplements

So we all understand our tanks are devoid the natural abundance of life and chemicals that make life possible in the ocean. And when we do water changes we replenish our system with electrolytes and minerals. So what about these products like "Fuel," just to name one that boast using it sparks coral growth. They use a carbohydrate blend and throw in some vitamins....especially the Bvit variety. It almost sounds like something I should be drinking. Other products supplement amino acids or omega fattay acids. Though I have no doubt what so ever that these could be benefical......cells have to have this to function and produce enzymes to grow and multilply......but has anyone actually noticed a difference by using them? The higher quality food like Rods is loaded with proteins and fats and electrolyes get absorbed. So marketing hype or useful product??

FYI this post could have gone under at least three forum headings......

 

I dose ESV 2-part to help supplement calcium & alkalinity - I use Salinity salt.

http://www.marinedepot.com/E.S.V._B_Ion ... -4-vi.html

Have never used Fuel or any additives similar, weekly water changes 15% normally keep my tank happy - but interested in what everyone else is using & having success with.

 

In my softy tank...

I use...

Nothing...

I havent done even a water change in the past 6 months I bet. It thrives. I feed it regularly with a wide variety of things and on a regular basis but other than that. Nothing


In my stony tank...

I use...

Brightwells Biofuel, Code A & B and Magnisium. I aslo use Aquavitros Fuel as a supplement for Amino and Fatty Acids.

Now.. Can I say I have noticed a big difference? No. I started using it on the first day I put corals in it. What I can tell you is I put in all brown corals and within 2 months I have no brown corals... Everyone of them have their color back. Fluke??? You could say so and some might argue that all they needed was the right light and water.

But heres my thought. The fact that I have used the Biofuel and water changes to keep the water prestine and used the Fuel to add back the good stuff the Biofuel takes out while not adding any bad stuff back I think helps a lot.

Everywhere that I have looked it works the same way.... Zelots method, Vodka method, or The Biofuel From brightwells.... You strip the water of what is bad which also strips the good and you supplement the good back with water changes and fatty and amino acids from something such as the Fuel product.

All in all its a science experiment... If you dont need anything and your corals look good... by all means... dont go adding things in that might throw off the whole balance and kill something.

If you have a tank full of browned out corals that could use a little help and they do not seem to be getting it from just regular care.... Start slowly and with minimal doses with something...

I dont think its a sales gimmic with the acids though... I think the stuff works.... My stony tank has never looked better, and it looked rough when I started.

 

Great advice. I agree totally. If the system you use now works, don't change anything. If you are not satisfied with your growth or color by all means try something slowly and only one change at a time. It's not always lighting and that's what most people throw at if first. It's good to experiment a little, that's how we discover new methods and benefits for our animals. Don't you love the possibilities.

 

The continuous advancements in the hobby are very exciting. The more we learn about the specific nutrition our animals need the easier it will be for anyone to have a beautiful tank with colorful colonies.

 

I'm learning that consistancy is key to our success and in the past I've bought whatever salt was on sale at the time.  I want to stick with one brand from now on.  Has anybody found a particular brand of salt they truely believe in?

Also, I use some products by SeaChem and some from Tropic Marin and some from Kent and yada yada.....  Does anyone have an opinion on using strictly one companies product?  I really love Tropic Marin Ca+ and Mg, but use SeaChem pH and Alk products.  Just curious.........

 

I am attempting to resurrect my old thread. My curiosity is mainly for Ca+ and Mg products. All you guys with sps tanks, what are you using for these two elements? What have you tried and what works for your tank? I continue to use tropic marin Ca+ and Mg. I have 32 sps coral in my tank and for the time being I can simply add the powder to my top off water. I gotta feeling as the system matures and the coral grow large this will not be cost effective.

 

I use two part plus mag from BRS. And water changes. When I had my 75 running I had a small calcium reactor running and also added Kalk to my top off to help offset for the added CO2 in the water. Oh and regular water changes most of the time. Feed a variety of fish and coral foods

 

Arm and Hammer Baking soda, Prestone Driveway Heat and Epsom Salt.... Randy Holmes Farley's Two Part Guide. http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php

One gallon jugs will last me about 2 weeks at the dosing cycle I am in now. I am going to have to adjust it again but I will simply go with 2.5 gallon jugs and still only have to make up solutions every couple of weeks. I usually make 2 gallons of each at a time so that I really only have to make it once a month.

Other than that its water changes depending on my mood. I may do one a week or one a month....

 

For about a year now

 

Ha, that just sounds crazy Mann!! No one can argue with your tank success and people have been using the household products for a long time. My only concern would be impurities in the individual products, but that said, aquarium products may not have strict controls in place. One I know for sure, Tropic Marin is expensive!

 

Soda ash is soda ash. No matter if you buy it from BRS, a local pool product supplier, or bake your own soda from arm and hammer. Calcium chloride, well sure there are a few extras that come with it but the stuff you buy from BRS and Prestone heat pellets have the same make up on the bottle so if I can buy it five times cheaper there then I will. Same goes with the magnesium chloride hex. It's Epsom salt. It's all laid out in the article above. I run on penny's when it comes to additives. The only thing I have to buy strait out is salt. LOL. I was skeptical at first. But after it worked and I had read every single post I could read on it I got more comfortable with the idea. I studied the products and stuff myself and really took on a crash course of chemistry per say but I am over it now.

 

Water changes are still your key to success. All the small impurities that may come with what ever you dose are diluted so much over time they are not harmful. Regular weekly bi weekly water changes. If you would like a crash course on the method I use stop by one Sat when I am here and I will walk you through it. It's simple. And other than the hours it takes to bake the soda the rest can be done in minutes.

 

Um I'm pretty sure Epsom salt is Magnesium Sulfate.

And yes I agree it is much cheaper to use the household products.

 

I've seen a number of excellent reviews of Tropic marin compared to some of the other salts & I'm currently trying it. Pet Solutions has Tropic Marin Pro, makes 200 gal, for $70 No shipping charges.

 

You are right, I stand corrected.... I was still half asleep when I wrote that... LOL