Reef maintainence help???

[snaza]

once my tank is all cycled and i've got some fish and corals what do i need to add(chemicals) to keep it running successfully. i'll be keeping zoos and rics and maybe later try some sps. got a 90g with 30g sump/fuge. i know i'll need to add calcium(will kalkwasser from the hardware be ok?). is that all i need to add or are there other things i need to add to keep a healthy tank. i know i need to do waterchanges, check salinity etc.

thanks

[reefnetworth]

not from hardware unless its pickling lime. you can find that in your grocery in the canning section. buffer for pH, calcium is correct, and SG also correct. you need test kits, do you have any of them? all others should be in the salt mix, what brand are you useing? REEF-ON!!!

[snaza]

i havent actually got water in there yet. i was going to use NSW. is that ok? yeah i got all the test kits. whats buffer for PH

[Paintbug]

NSW will work, as long as it comes from a clean spot in the ocean. but you will still need something to buffer your calcium, and alkalinity once your tank starts using it up. i use a 2 part calc/alk buffer myself. theres several ways to add your calc/alk. heres an article on how to select whats best for you. http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm

heres more articles on reef chemistry.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=102605