[marine_pheonix]

Hi, i am planning to keep some easy-to-keep corals like polyps and mushrooms in my 60 gal tank. I've read various websites stating that it is necessary to add supplements into the tank so that corals can grow well.

However, the problem is, these supplements are so EXPENSIVE!!!! I am only a student with limited funds and i do not have the money to buy some many stuff...

Thus, can someone out there tell me what is the most important supplement that corals need as i am just intending to buy one type or a maximum of two.

Also, can someone tell me what do i feed my corals with? Phytoplanktons or liquid food for marine inhabitants? Which is better?

Thks!!!

[Poseidon]

I only use 1 supplement, Mrs. Wages pickling lime. It is food grade Calcium Hydroxide. A balanced additive that will maintain both Ca and Alk levels. It is 1.79 per 32oz at the grocery store. I use 1/2 tablespoon per 3 gallons of fresh water so it lasts a LONG TIME! If you go to the LFS it is sold as "Kalkwasser" (german for lime water) and it sells for $20 or more.

As for food, I use Cyclop-eeze to feed my corals, it is a little pricey, but also lasts a long time.

[randymon]

I have a beautiful 55 gal soft coral, mushrooms, zoos, and a couple lps corals that do super without any supplements except a 7 gallon water change with instant ocean monthhly. I run carbon 24-7 with a cpr bac pac skimmer & cpr hob refugium with just over 3 watts per gallon of pc lights this tank has been up & running for over 3 years and it will rival some sps tanks.

[marine_pheonix]

Wow!!! I see! Thks for the reply!

After reading the replies, i think i will be getter that kalkwasser thingy as mentioned.... BTW, can corals stay healthy if i were so feed them phytoplanktons? ( Coz i really don't have much $$$ to spend and the cheapest coral food i can find is the phytoplankton... )

[kevinpo]

Hello,
Most corals do not need to be fed above what you feed your fish to do well. Phytoplankton is and algae based food and most corals are meat eaters so it is not the correct food for the corals you mentioned.

Growing certain types of corals like mushrooms and polyps you mentioned take very little special care in the way of feeding, supplements, or lighting. Monthly water changes will be just fine. IMO your money is best spent on salt for regular water changes.

HTH,
Kevin

[Fish R.Ph.]

Originally Posted by Poseidon

I only use 1 supplement, Mrs. Wages pickling lime. It is food grade Calcium Hydroxide. A balanced additive that will maintain both Ca and Alk levels. It is 1.79 per 32oz at the grocery store. I use 1/2 tablespoon per 3 gallons of fresh water so it lasts a LONG TIME! If you go to the LFS it is sold as "Kalkwasser" (german for lime water) and it sells for $20 or more.

How often do you add this supplement? With every water change? Daily? What impact, if any, does it have on pH? I have a 20 Gallon FOWLR but have upgraded my lighting and hope to add 1 or 2 hardy mushrooms or polyps if possible. Thanks!!

[Poseidon]

Lets see....

I dose every other day to replace evaporation. I have it in a 3 gallon container that I bought from the grocery store, it is a square container with a spicket on the front. I drilled a small hole thru the rubber seal allowing the lime water to slowly drip into the tank ocer the course of HOURS. (I don't know exactly how many hours it takes....) It is also dosed into the HIGHEST possible flow area of my sump, this way it cannot build a pocket of HIGH pH. The pH of limewater is 12.4 so it HAS to be done very slowly! Or else you can KILL everything in the tank! See Sampers thread about the "death of his 20 gallon"

If you are only keeping mushrooms, then water changes should be plenty to maintain your Ca and Alk levels, as mushrooms are really anemones and do not use as much Ca and Alk from the water column. Once you get LPS and SPS that remove CaCO3 from the water, then you will need to supplement!

[Steven Pro]

The best way to know if you need to add anything supplement-wise to your tank is to test the water. If you can't test for it, don't add it. I only monitor pH, calcium, and alkalinity and my only additive is kalkwasser/calcium hydroxide. Otherwise, regular water changes take care of the rest.