Coral Supplements

Hey Everyone,

I was wondering what kinds of things that you guys supplment your corals with to help them grown and thrive etc. ?

Thanks for the help,

Breed

 

I'm currently running a Calcium Reactor and ZEOvit

J

 

The main supplements are as follows for me:
Calcium(three tridacna's and many sps'! Aids in their calcareous skeleton
Iodine-good for germicidal properties, critical for the development of certain pigments in corals(better coloration), helps recovery for corals from bleaching(detoxify active oxygen produced by zooxanthellae and photosynthesis.
Iron-improves corals, anemone's and other photosynthetic organisms with coloration, expansion and growth. Helps with increased growth of macroalgae as long as you don't overdose-which would aid in the increase of microalgae.
Strontium:also aids in the formation of calcareous skeleton of corals.
Liquid Vitamins-piece of mind for me and my livestock...if they are good for me...they are good for my livestock!!!!!!
That basically covers it...

 

I try to keep it down to a low roar. Calcium of course is a main concern. I use reef crystals salt and add calcium to the tank. Phytoplex and zooplex are given freely, along with extra vitamins and trace elements. I used to dose in general, but have discovered target feeding produces more results. I mix a 'soup' 3 times a week and they seem to like it! :

 

I dose with calcium, alkalintiy and buffer once a week and trace elements once per month. I have recently started with iodine also weekly with great results. I have always had best success using less than the recommended dose- unless you test be very careful what you add to your tank- the way your corals respond will tell you if they are are happy with your efforts. Always start slow and slowly ramp up slowly - I find that a combo of testing and expierience is the best!

 

I drip kalk and add buffer, strontium and Kent's Essential Elements.

 

Kalk in my topoff and a few drops of Kent Coral Accel (contains iodide for the xenia) every so often. My only corals right now are xenia and mushrooms so I have a very low-maintenance "reef".

 

So are all the brand similar in quality? or do they all get the job done?

 

When we have to use a commercial brand of calcium and buffer, we prefer Kent's dry Turbo Calcium and Superbuffer. For kalkwasser, we use Mrs. Wage's Pickling Lime.