[HappyFrag]

Hi All:

After years of Freshwater fishkeeping, I was bitten by the Salt Bug in January. To get started I bought a complete 75 gal setup with a 30 gal sump from someone that was moving. I also bought livestock and live rock from someone else getting out of the hobby. I've added some GARF frags too. In the Freshwater world, they say "You take care of the water and the fish will take care of themselves". This worked for me in the past and I'd like to continue this way. My tank has live rock from the existing tank and fully cured encrusted pieces that I bought. I'm going to add an RO filter with an auto top-off.

But what's the best approach for managing calcium and hardness? And the other trace elements? Can I mix all my weekly Kalkwasser and requirements for Kent (or anything better?) trace stuff in a single container and dose with a dosing pump? Separately, I see more info now about the Calcium Reactors giving really excellent results. MyReefCreations has an affordable one. Are reactors much better and easier? I can add one later. I'd rather fork up the cash and spend the time watching my fish and critters than fiddling with drip equipment and buckets.

To consider that I will want to add clams and stoneys, what it the Best way to manage the water, and is actually is it the Easiest?

Next question: I bought a regular Xenia frag from a LFS, and the rock is was on had an Anemone too. Possibly a Rock anemone. I was worried that the anemone would sting the Xenia as they both grew. I moved them after a few days to a different location and maybe the current pushed them together, cause a day later, the Xenia was gone. I mean, I understand that these are mobile, but now it totally missing behind some rock. I really like the idea that they could move, long as I can still see them and ensure that they are healthy. I think that I now have to pull 1/2 of the LR out to find the girl, hopefully without crushing her. What the heck to you do?

Thanks!

[Ninong]

Hi HappyFrag, welcome to Reefland!

Originally Posted by HappyFrag

But what's the best approach for managing calcium and hardness? And the other trace elements?

The best approach would be to have both a calcium reactor and a Kalkwasser stirrer.

Can I mix all my weekly Kalkwasser and requirements for Kent (or anything better?) trace stuff in a single container and dose with a dosing pump?

You cannot add anything to Kalkwasser (saturated calcium hydroxide solution). And it should not be prepared a week at a time. It is better to use it within 48 hours and then mix a new batch. I would not add any "trace stuff" unless you are certain that it is deficient in your tank. If you were using a calcium reactor you might never need to add anything but even without a calcium reactor you should not add something just to be adding it or just because someone claims it is necessary. In particular, do not add iodine or strontium unless you have tested first and found that your levels are well below natural seawater levels as both of these are toxic at elevated levels. You may want to add magnesium if your levels test below 1000 ppm (NSW = ~1300 ppm).

Separately, I see more info now about the Calcium Reactors giving really excellent results. MyReefCreations has an affordable one. Are reactors much better and easier?

Calcium reactors are nice. I don't have one but I would like to have one on my next, larger tank. I would want to have both a calcium reactor and a Kalkwasser stirrer. You can get by with Kalkwasser in the meantime.

To consider that I will want to add clams and stoneys, what it the Best way to manage the water, and is actually is it the Easiest?

The best and the easiest way is to have have a calcium reactor and a Kalkwasser stirrer and an automatic topoff system that automatically replenishes evaporation with R.O./D.I. water. All of those things can wait.

Next question: I bought a regular Xenia frag from a LFS, and the rock is was on had an Anemone too. Possibly a Rock anemone.

Almost any anemone that came in on a piece of rock from the LFS is bad news. Never add an anemone to your tank unless you are absolutely certain that it is not Aiptasia or Majano. And realize that when you add xenia or mushrooms to your tank you could live to regret it later on. Both can become invasive and "take over" to the point that you are constantly removing them. I am not telling you not to keep xenia or mushrooms, I am just warning you that success with these is a two-edged sword.

[Poseidon]

Originally Posted by Ninong

And realize that when you add xenia or mushrooms to your tank you could live to regret it later on. Both can become invasive and "take over" to the point that you are constantly removing them. I am not telling you not to keep xenia or mushrooms, I am just warning you that success with these is a two-edged sword.

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LOL I can speak for Xenia... That stuff grows like a weed and I find myself removing at LEAST 1/2 every other month!! The plus side is a LFS gives me good Store credit for it, so it is like having an extra 50 bux to play at the fish store with!!

[HappyFrag]

Thanks Guys:

I’ll break it into two phases then. I’ll ask both questions so I don’t pepper you with little questions a month from now.

I'm ready to buy an RO/DI filter first. But how do I add an auto-top off? I see two types of kits. The SpectraPure kits that many places carry are dosing kits, and their float valve-type tank filling kits are supposedly not for topping off. I'll bet every DIY'er out there has happily installed a float kit to top-off. The SpectraPure level controller only powers an external outlet to power a pump. I want to control the water filling my sump and add Kalk or whatever is needed, not a separate holding tank with a pump. My Oak stand has a 30 or 40 gal sump under it, and the sides are high enough so that I can’t shoehorn the 22” skimmer into the sump unless I remove the fish tank. The return pump to the tank is also external, so until I re-engineer it, space under there is minimal. The tank is against an outside and common wall, so the only way to expand is to go down. Some people have put sumps in their basement. That’s possible. Or I might “create” a cabinet to enclose the additional equipment next to the setup. Let’s assume I do that…

Phase/Question two: Why both a Calcium and a Nilsen reactor? It appears that they solve the same problem, just differently. MyReef and Barr both have a Nilsen Reactor, but who else makes one? The other web hits were all for the UK or points farther. I'd like to start researching on this to plan for the expense. The tank is minimal; it has small frags and a few fish. I'm not comfortable in adding more until I can maintain good chemistry. However, it may be overkill to add a reactor now since there isn’t a lot to take up calcium so it’s a circle. If I drip the Kalk for a while, can you explain your point about using both reactors and I’ll mentally munch on that for a while? Heck I don’t even understand good chemistry. Some threads are talking moles, etc. I'd have to find my chemistry book somewhere. Whew! Thanks again!

[Ninong]

Originally Posted by HappyFrag

Why both a Calcium and a Nilsen reactor?

Because you asked for the best way to handle calcium and alkalinity. Personally I don't have either on my 120-gal tank and I can't imagine someone going that far for a 75-gal tank, but that's the best way to do it. They are complimentary.

There are many different ways to set up auto-topoff systems. I don't have one of those either because I don't have space. All of those things are nice to have but sometimes you have to start off with a little less, especially if it's not a really large system and/or there is only a limited amount of available space.

[HappyFrag]

Thanks, I'll keep reading the various posts to learn more as I go. Have a great weekend.