nikycamp said:
I have another question ;that lady at the store sold me from the go 3 bottles and the instructions to add a capful of each once a week,the bottles are iodine,liquid calcium and iron;do you think that may be affecting the proper cycle timing?.
None of these will affect the cycle but they will however cause you many unfortunate problems if used incorrectly or without need. While the tank is cycling, it really needs nothing in the way of additives. Once the cycle is done then do a very large water change with well aged/aerated
SW do bring the water chemistry back into balance. The cycle wreaks havoc but during that time and there's no point in trying to maintain much unless using uncured freshly harvested
LR.
Iodine unless properly tested for can easily poison the tank killing invertebrates and severely stressing fish. Most animals in aquaria gain iodine through the consumption of foods, not directly from the water so it's for the most part not a "required" addition. If you do proceed, test before you add.
CaCl additives will eventualy raise the level of
Ca within your tank substatially if there is nothing in the tank depositing
CaCO3 fast enough to keep up with your additions. Again, this is something that needs to be tested before it's added.
Ca is used by many organisms but until there is an abundance, you don't need to add anything at this point. The
Ca may come in handy a few months down the road though.
Iron is an additive that promotes algae growth. For the most part it is used for enhancing colonies of macro algaes when used in a refugium environemnt. While the tank is still young, the same iron additions will fuel wild growth in nuisance and unwanted algaes. This is an additive I would use with caution and be sure you need at all.
As with many of these additives you'll run across, the best advise is never add anything to your tank you can't test for and always test before you add. Also ask yourself why your adding it and why it's been recommended and then research to find out how much truth or need there is for it. In many aspects, a new tank needs no additives. While the tank matures the best thing for it is weekly water changes. Depending on the salt you have, it should do most of what you need for the time being.
Cheers
Steve
