epsaxon
12/19/2011, 12:00 PM
I am in Vietnam and trying to establish a 600l total water volume mixed reef. Getting reputable brand name additives on a consistent basis is near impossible. Luckily, I can get all the 95% to 100% pure chemicals required for the Farley recipe 1 for next to nothing in 5kg bags. The Farley recipe uses CaCl2, Na2CO3, MgCl2 and MgSO4 but before I start dosing:
- Can I substitute CaCl2 and MgSO4 with CaSO4 and still obtain sufficient Mg and SO4 levels? What would be the mix ratio if this is possible?
- What about other trace elements such as iron, strontium, iodine, etc.? I do not know why but Fiji Gold is readily available here and I know Fiji Gold is Ca2CO3 based but it does claim to have trace elements. Are they in a form that really is usable by the corals? Aside from commericaly prepared additives, what bulk chemicals could I use for trace element supplementation?
- Is Kalkwasser pure Ca(OH)2?
I know this is a lot to ask but any guidance will be appreciated as local knowledge is limited as they seem to be more interested in selling more corals than allowing them to live. I have yet find a saltwater test kit in country!
- Can I substitute CaCl2 and MgSO4 with CaSO4 and still obtain sufficient Mg and SO4 levels? What would be the mix ratio if this is possible?
- What about other trace elements such as iron, strontium, iodine, etc.? I do not know why but Fiji Gold is readily available here and I know Fiji Gold is Ca2CO3 based but it does claim to have trace elements. Are they in a form that really is usable by the corals? Aside from commericaly prepared additives, what bulk chemicals could I use for trace element supplementation?
- Is Kalkwasser pure Ca(OH)2?
I know this is a lot to ask but any guidance will be appreciated as local knowledge is limited as they seem to be more interested in selling more corals than allowing them to live. I have yet find a saltwater test kit in country!