Just A Few Questions

[BOD]

Everywhere i go i see pots of 'this' and bottles of 'that', its all a bit confusing!!! What do you actually need to add to the water after you have mixed in the salt?

Or dont you actually need anything, or do you find out by testing your water?

 

[steelhealr]

NOTHING. Mix the salt, aerate, age it, add it. JUST DON"T DOSE...except for calcium. Don't dose for what you don't test for. SH

 

[Chac]

You may at some point want to reasearch KALK Dosing, perhaps if/when you concider keeping SPS/LPS Corals

But other than that, good housekeeping skills will keep everything ticking over

 

[BOD]

Ok so I have got the Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate tests, am going to get a Ph test kit.......what else do I need to have a test for?

 

[Chac]

Temp
Phosphate

Do you have a refrectometer/hydrometer ?

 

[BOD]

Ok so phosphate and thats it....I need to get a hydrometer im just writing a list at the moment of what i need and what order i need to get it in.



also: a bit off topic, i was looking at live rock online and came across one where it said dry shipping, if it was shipped dry wouldnt everything die off? or is it just a term they use ie: not wet cos its not a fish in a bag lol!

heres the site --- Tropical Aquatics

 

[BOD]

Also....approx how much sand (lb) for a 36X15 floor base.

Also what is a good substrate to use? what brand? if any?

 

[crazyelece]

basic test kit:
ammonia
nitrite
nitrate
pH
calcium
Alk
phosphate
salinity

Don't even bother with a hydrometer, get a refractometer.

As far as sand I usually go with 1# per gallon but that can vary depending if it is a long tank or tall tank. I would probably shoot for 30-40 pounds for that size footprint.

 

[Chac]

If you are going to test for ALK then you will need to get Mag & Calcium Test Kits, as 1 result does affect the other