polarbear Posted September 19, 2009 Share Posted September 19, 2009 I have started to run carbon and phosgard in my tank. I was reading some other forms and people have said that when running carbon it takes trace elements out of the water that need to be replaced. What do I need to use to replace these trace elements? And for the lighting, what type do I need in order to keep SPS corals? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+mcallahan Posted September 19, 2009 Share Posted September 19, 2009 Carbon will absorb dissolved organics and some heavy metals. If probably does take some essential elements and most of the essential elements will be replaced with regular water changes. My rule of the thumb is to dose very little in terms of adding supplements to the tank. I only add Ca, Mg and alkalinity supplements. I will add a little iodine in my top off water. One the biggest traps I see new hobbists fall into is add every supplement they can buy to the tank. Most of the supplements are not needed and can lead to nuisance algae problems and water parameter issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polarbear Posted September 19, 2009 Author Share Posted September 19, 2009 the only thing that I add is a vitamin supplement from seachem and phytoplankton. Is there anything else that you would recommend? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+mcallahan Posted September 19, 2009 Share Posted September 19, 2009 personally I'd drop both. I used to run the vitamin supplement and I'd dose it, and hours later my skimmer would be full of what I dosed. The phyto is probably optional as well depending on what you have in your tank. do you have any small (under 2-3") clams? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zarathustra2 Posted September 19, 2009 Share Posted September 19, 2009 Other things that may need phyto: 1. Sponges 2. Filter Feeding Worms 3. Non-photo corals 4. Zooplankton (copepods) But yea, you are better off not dosing it unless you specifically have creatures that use it. If you have a refugium that will provide plenty for any incendental critters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polarbear Posted September 19, 2009 Author Share Posted September 19, 2009 (edited) no. the clam that i have is a little bigger then that. i have zoas, polyps, open brain coral, xenia, clam, trupet coral and feather duster, etc. Do you know if SPS corals will live in the biocube with the stock lighting? I have a purple digi coral frag but its brown. the polyps come out but its not purple. Edited September 19, 2009 by polarbear Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+mcallahan Posted September 19, 2009 Share Posted September 19, 2009 what is the lighting in the bio cube? the digi being brown could be to a number of factors including: - water flow - lighting - husbandry techniques - water params - coral adjusting to tank It'd be hard to point a finger at exactly 1 thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polarbear Posted September 19, 2009 Author Share Posted September 19, 2009 this is the lights that are in the biocube. (1) 36 watt True Actinic 03 Blue straight pin (1) 36 watt 10,000K Daylight straight pin (3) 0.75 watt Lunar Blue-Moon-Glow LED As for the water flow, they are right in the path of the return pump. The water parameter are all good except for the KH which was on the low side. I added the buffer yesterday so it should come up. they have been in the tank for about 2 months now so I dont know if they are still adjusting. Whats husbandry techniques? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joshman1204 Posted September 19, 2009 Share Posted September 19, 2009 I would say no to any SPS under stock lighting but same have had moderate success with it. I have a 24g aquapod but I am running it under a 250w MH pendant so light is not an issue As for dosing I just started dosing bionic two part yesterday. I dont plan to dose anything else other than this unless I absolutely have to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muddybluewater Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 You can keep montipora digitata and pink birdsnest but most others are going to need MH or T5 HO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polarbear Posted September 21, 2009 Author Share Posted September 21, 2009 You wouldn't happen to have some pink birdsnest that you would like to donate for me to try out do you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polarbear Posted September 21, 2009 Author Share Posted September 21, 2009 You wouldn't happen to have some pink birdsnest that you would like to donate for me to try out do you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Razor Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 I have three 2-3" branches of pink birdsnest. I'll give you one if want to come get it, I live in Killeen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polarbear Posted September 21, 2009 Author Share Posted September 21, 2009 do you ever come to Austin? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polarbear Posted September 21, 2009 Author Share Posted September 21, 2009 do you ever come to Austin? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Razor Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 We do, but no trips planned within the near future though. Have to save my money, the cost of my wifes grad classes are INSANE, but worth every penny. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Razor Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 We do, but no trips planned within the near future though. Have to save my money, the cost of my wifes grad classes are INSANE, but worth every penny. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polarbear Posted September 21, 2009 Author Share Posted September 21, 2009 trust me i understand. I let you know if I'm every headed your way. thanks again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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