Starting an LPS and SPS tank... what supplements should i be adding?

[Redbellyjx]

hi all, the search function doesnt want to work for me right now.

ive set up my tank, have a few inhabitants (4-5 damsels, 2 black oscellaris, clean up crew), my lights have been running a cycle for about a week (125 x 3 hallides, 96watt x 4 atinics).

now im gettin to the pt where i want to start adding corals. so far ive just been monitoring my PH, salinity and ammo, -ites, and -ates. im going out today to purchase a marine test. i know that calcium is something i need to monitor and adjust.

what other things should i be testing for (and ways to control them), what supplements should i be adding, and what are some good brands to look into

i know i just asked a lot there, but like i said the search doesnt want to work for me right now and when i go to the LFS i want to sound some-what intelligent when i talk to the owner there.

[bertoni]

Most tanks require calcium and alkalinity supplementation. This article covers that topic:

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm

Some B-Ionic or an equivalent two-part is an easy way to get started with calcium and alkalinity. The tank might require some magnesium supplementation, but just having a test kit for that is a good enough start, in my opinion.

Iron and silica are sometimes dosed, but I would put that in the optional category, for future reference.

This article covers all the water parameters:

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php

This article has a lot of information on feeding:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=176530

[PatMayo]

For my tank all I dose is alklinity, calcium and magnesium. I use Randy's 2 part number 1 formula. It save money and is very easy to make.

I also recommend good test kits. I use Salifert kits. They are very accurate and most folks that I know use them. There are others out there as well but I have had the best luck with Salifert.

I would not be in any hurry to add too much and I would never add anything that you cannot accuratly test for.

Regards,

Pat