What should I get next?

[discretekarma]

I bought my first tank and have been slowly (young son and wife in grad school) adding equipment over the past few months. Every time I bought something it has been pretty clear what I need next.

 

This is what I have now.

 

180 Oceanic drilled with overflow boxes.

2 x 250w SE 10k XM Bulbs

2 x VHO Actinic

30 Gallon sump. (nothing fancy but it works)

ASM G3 skimmer

Filter Guys 6 stage RO/DI

 

 

I am almost done with my RO/DI and want to know what makes since to get next. I was thinking that a Kalk stirrer would really help my frags take off. Would this be better or a Calc reactor? Should/can I add both near the same time frame or is it better to get one then the other? Which one?

 

Thanks

[zoozilla]

Typically, you can start with a Kalk Reactor/Stirrer. When your calcium/alk demand becomes too much for your kalk reactor/Stirrer to handle, then it maybe time to invest in a Calcium Reactor.

Edited October 11, 2007 by zoozilla

[jason the filter freak]

I'll second the kalk stirrer

[discretekarma]

I was under the impression that the Kalk Stirrer was just to keep PH steady. I know this is important but I didn't reaelize how much affect it had on calcium and alk. I already have several different frags in my tank which is exciting but they are all still the same size as when I got them. None have withered away (accept some pulsing xenia) but none have taken off either.

Edited October 11, 2007 by discretekarma

[lanman]

I was under the impression that the Kalk Stirrer was just to keep PH steady. I know this is important but I didn't reaelize how much affect it had on calcium and alk. I already have several different frags in my tank which is exciting but they are all still the same size as when I got them. None have withered away (accept some pulsing xenia) but none have taken off either.

 

I added a Grey-Seas kalk stirrer to my 58-gallon tank, and I haven't had to add any 2-part solution since. Handles pH, Alk, and CA needs for my moderately stocked tank.

 

bob

[wreck]

I bought my first tank and have been slowly (young son and wife in grad school) adding equipment over the past few months. Every time I bought something it has been pretty clear what I need next.

 

This is what I have now.

 

180 Oceanic drilled with overflow boxes.

2 x 250w SE 10k XM Bulbs

2 x VHO Actinic

30 Gallon sump. (nothing fancy but it works)

ASM G3 skimmer

Filter Guys 6 stage RO/DI

I am almost done with my RO/DI and want to know what makes since to get next. I was thinking that a Kalk stirrer would really help my frags take off. Would this be better or a Calc reactor? Should/can I add both near the same time frame or is it better to get one then the other? Which one?

 

Thanks

 

 

whoops, test kits for Calcium, Alkalinity and Magnesium....then Kalk...then Kalk Stirrer

[steveoutlaw]

I bought my first tank and have been slowly (young son and wife in grad school) adding equipment over the past few months. Every time I bought something it has been pretty clear what I need next.

 

This is what I have now.

 

180 Oceanic drilled with overflow boxes.

2 x 250w SE 10k XM Bulbs

2 x VHO Actinic

30 Gallon sump. (nothing fancy but it works)

ASM G3 skimmer

Filter Guys 6 stage RO/DI

I am almost done with my RO/DI and want to know what makes since to get next. I was thinking that a Kalk stirrer would really help my frags take off. Would this be better or a Calc reactor? Should/can I add both near the same time frame or is it better to get one then the other? Which one?

 

Thanks

 

 

Actually, I would get another 250w MH (I'm assuming your 180g tank is 6' long). You want 1 MH for every 2' of tank.

[Brian Ward]

I'm going to 2nd another MH. 3 on a 6' tank is pretty standard. Next would probably be a kalk reactor - the calcium reactor is very expensive, so I'd go with the kalk and dose extra calcium if you need it for now.

~Brian

[discretekarma]

I thought about that but since my 180 has a 12" - 18" glass brace in the middle, I didn't think I could add a 3rd. The glass is pretty think. Do you think I would still benifit from a 3rd MH?

 

 

 

Actually, I would get another 250w MH (I'm assuming your 180g tank is 6' long). You want 1 MH for every 2' of tank.

Edited October 11, 2007 by discretekarma

[dandy7200]

I was under the impression that the Kalk Stirrer was just to keep PH steady. I know this is important but I didn't reaelize how much affect it had on calcium and alk.

 

Kalkwasser when properly saturated contains 800ppm calcium and 100dkh of alkalinity and a Ph of 12 or more.

 

What reflectors do you have? With Luminarcs you only need 2 SE bulbs on a 6' tank.

[stevil]

This is what I have now.

 

180 Oceanic drilled with overflow boxes.

2 x 250w SE 10k XM Bulbs

2 x VHO Actinic

30 Gallon sump. (nothing fancy but it works)

ASM G3 skimmer

Filter Guys 6 stage RO/DI

I am almost done with my RO/DI and want to know what makes since to get next. I was thinking that a Kalk stirrer would really help my frags take off. Would this be better or a Calc reactor? Should/can I add both near the same time frame or is it better to get one then the other? Which one?

How about some fish?

 

I'd say the kalk stirrer and see if that works, and then add the CA reactor if you need it (that is my plan). I just added a grey-seas kalk stirrer and am waiting a month or so to see how my Calcium and alk hold out and then I'll fire up the CA reactor I have laying around if necessary.

[Rascal]

whoops, test kits for Calcium, Alkalinity and Magnesium....then Kalk...then Kalk Stirrer

 

I second that, at least for Alk and Ca. What are your levels now? How much do they drop between water changes? If you have a new tank and not much growing it's possible you don't even need to dose anything yet. If the levels are fine and your frags still aren't growing then maybe you should focus on something else before worrying about kalk reactors and calcium reactors and such.

 

What are your goals for this tank as far as corals go? Softies? LPS? SPS? A mixed reef?

 

What do you have for flow right now?

[discretekarma]

I'd say a mixed reef.

 

I have mushrooms, gsp's, zoas, monti digi, candy cane, and hammer.

 

I'd like to be able to grow SPS eventually. I know I already have the monti digi but it is been about the same size frag for several months. My zoas do well though. I usually have more polyps every week. Mushrooms have not spread yet but the look great and open nicely.

 

I'm not sure what type of reflector I have. It is one reflector that goes most of the length of the hood with both mh's and both actinics in the same reflector. James, what reflector do I have?

 

Flow...I have a mag 24 pumping the return from my sump and 2 Koralia 4's.

 

I'm not sure exactly how much my calc and alk change between water changes. I've always checked the basic numbers (nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, PH but haven't been testing calc and alk. I suppose I should start that.

 

I second that, at least for Alk and Ca. What are your levels now? How much do they drop between water changes? If you have a new tank and not much growing it's possible you don't even need to dose anything yet. If the levels are fine and your frags still aren't growing then maybe you should focus on something else before worrying about kalk reactors and calcium reactors and such.

 

What are your goals for this tank as far as corals go? Softies? LPS? SPS? A mixed reef?

 

What do you have for flow right now?