Opinions on Reef Supplies and Skimmer

jessiesa · 07-10-2011, 07:37 PM

I was recently given a container full of reef supplies by someone switching to FW. I'm new to the hobby, so I thought you all could give me your help with these products. I'd like to know if you've used them, what you thought of them, and if they're really necessary.

Sea-Lab No. 28
PhosGuard
Coralife Salt Creep Eliminator
Kent Marine Strontium & Molybdenum for Mini reefs
Tropic Marin Bio-Calcium
Kent Marine Iodine (I have the bottle and 5mL vials)
Seachem Reef Complete
Kent Marine Pro-Buffer dKH
Seachem Reef Buffer (raises pH to 8.3)
Kent Marine Coral Vite (5mL vials & bottle)
New Life Spectrum Thera+A for Large Fish (Non-Medicated AntiParasitic Formula)
UltraLife Red Slime Remover
Kent Marine Liquid Calcium (5mL Vials)
Boyd Enterprises, Inc. Chemi-Clean
Sander Piccolo Protein Skimmer- I want to set this up, so I want to see if people have anything they like about it or any gripes.

I don't know how/when to use any of this stuff, so I'd appreciated any information you have. Would any of this be of use in my 30G reef with softies?

Scuff · 07-10-2011, 08:38 PM

The Kent Marine products you can use, along with the Seachem. Unless you get a significant infestation of red slime algae, put the Chemi-Clean (which is amazing stuff, btw) and UltraLife off to the side, as they're a cure and not a preventative.

The Sander Piccolo is a steaming pile of failure. It's a very, very basic protein skimmer, so if you're looking to put on your aquarium, look around for a newer one.

Noochy12 · 07-15-2011, 12:29 PM

If you want to go with a great skimmer that works amazing, in my opinion, I would suggest going with a Reef Octopus that's according to your tanks size. I have one and I love it. It's rated up to the exact size of my tank and it still does a great job.

trouble93 · 07-15-2011, 10:05 PM

This is my opinion... If it ain't broke don't fix it. Don't start adding stuff to your tank unless there is some problem you need to address. All the buffers and so on is not needed. Just do regular water changes and let the tank take care of it's self. Then when you are ready to add coral with certain needs then address those needs. To many times I've seen new hobbyist start adding stuff then have to add something else to counter act something else. No need to have to chase after elements you don't even test for. Just enjoy what you have, because there will come a day in this hobby that will have you pulling your hair out. No need to rush it.

07-10-2011, 07:37 PM	#1 (permalink)
jessiesa jessiesa's Photo Gallery Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 41 Name: Jessie Location: Bowling Green, KY Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 0 Times Said "Thanks" 2 Times Was Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Opinions on Reef Supplies and Skimmer I was recently given a container full of reef supplies by someone switching to FW. I'm new to the hobby, so I thought you all could give me your help with these products. I'd like to know if you've used them, what you thought of them, and if they're really necessary. Sea-Lab No. 28 PhosGuard Coralife Salt Creep Eliminator Kent Marine Strontium & Molybdenum for Mini reefs Tropic Marin Bio-Calcium Kent Marine Iodine (I have the bottle and 5mL vials) Seachem Reef Complete Kent Marine Pro-Buffer dKH Seachem Reef Buffer (raises pH to 8.3) Kent Marine Coral Vite (5mL vials & bottle) New Life Spectrum Thera+A for Large Fish (Non-Medicated AntiParasitic Formula) UltraLife Red Slime Remover Kent Marine Liquid Calcium (5mL Vials) Boyd Enterprises, Inc. Chemi-Clean Sander Piccolo Protein Skimmer- I want to set this up, so I want to see if people have anything they like about it or any gripes. I don't know how/when to use any of this stuff, so I'd appreciated any information you have. Would any of this be of use in my 30G reef with softies? __________________ 30 gallon reef with softies. 10 gallon quarantine. 5 gallon Hex for my betta and ghost shrimp.

07-10-2011, 08:38 PM	#2 (permalink)
Scuff This is how I feel. Scuff's Photo Gallery Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 753 Name: Mar Location: Sunapee, New Hampshire My location Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 114 Times Said "Thanks" 42 Times Was Thanked 253 Times in 184 Posts	Re: Opinions on Reef Supplies and Skimmer The Kent Marine products you can use, along with the Seachem. Unless you get a significant infestation of red slime algae, put the Chemi-Clean (which is amazing stuff, btw) and UltraLife off to the side, as they're a cure and not a preventative. The Sander Piccolo is a steaming pile of failure. It's a very, very basic protein skimmer, so if you're looking to put on your aquarium, look around for a newer one. __________________ The Rules: Read them, learn them, lick them, love them.

07-15-2011, 12:29 PM	#3 (permalink)
Noochy12 Noochy12's Photo Gallery Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 30 Location: Rochester, NY Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 8 Times Said "Thanks" 11 Times Was Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Opinions on Reef Supplies and Skimmer If you want to go with a great skimmer that works amazing, in my opinion, I would suggest going with a Reef Octopus that's according to your tanks size. I have one and I love it. It's rated up to the exact size of my tank and it still does a great job. __________________ 180 Gallon Reef tank 60 Gallon frag tank

07-15-2011, 10:05 PM	#4 (permalink)
trouble93 it never ends trouble93's Photo Gallery Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 978 Name: James Location: Nelsonville,Ohio My location Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 24 Times Said "Thanks" 99 Times Was Thanked 157 Times in 143 Posts	Re: Opinions on Reef Supplies and Skimmer This is my opinion... If it ain't broke don't fix it. Don't start adding stuff to your tank unless there is some problem you need to address. All the buffers and so on is not needed. Just do regular water changes and let the tank take care of it's self. Then when you are ready to add coral with certain needs then address those needs. To many times I've seen new hobbyist start adding stuff then have to add something else to counter act something else. No need to have to chase after elements you don't even test for. Just enjoy what you have, because there will come a day in this hobby that will have you pulling your hair out. No need to rush it. __________________ If It Is To Be It's Up To Me!!! http://www.aquariumforum.com/vbgoogl...216796875&zoom

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