There are lots of additives out there that do all sorts of things! No additives are
needed (besides "the big three"), but there can be no argument that many additives can have quite a dramatic effect on the corals.
For someone looking to do some experimenting with additives I would suggest that if you have
any nuisance algae that you stay away from any food-type additives like amino acids and dead phyto and zooplankton products as well as powdered foods. Broadcast feeding is probably not a good idea either. Iron and Iodine will also fuel algae. All of these products can have quite a profound effect on tanks where algae is not a problem, though there is a fine line between feeding the corals and polluting the tank. I would not suggest a person to feed their corals if they do not have a very strong nutrient export system.
For SPS, many of the ULNS methods are quite effective. LPS, Zoas/Palys, and softies generally do not like ULNS. ULNS can be achieved in many ways...usually via carbon dosing of one brand or another like ZeoVit, Fauna Marin, Prodibio, or vodka/sugar/vinegar dosing. As mentioned already, SPS will often benefit by the regular monitoring and addition of potassium to help with blues and purples. Imo, potassium dosing is part of "the big three" on my SPS system. It's like "the big four".
ZeoVit has some great products I have used like Sponge Power, Coral Vitalizer (this is food, so be careful), Coral Snow, and Spur2. I really like the Brightwell Aquatics and Fauna Marin lines too. I
love the Prodibio BioDigest and BiOptim.
In the big picture though, I think the best things you can do for long-term success, good growth and great color are...
1) Have a good nutrient export system in place including a
good quality skimmer.
2) Use
good quality lights/light bulbs and change them regularly.
3) Keep up on
regular waterchanges making sure to keep all areas of the system clean.
4) Keep parameters at acceptable levels and
keep them stable (calcium, alkalinity, magnesium, phosphate, and nitrate).
Quote:
Originally Posted by reefwars
the stuff from the ulns looks like its working hard to get even a bit of color while the stuff in my tank is vibrant(not talking about sps too eary in the game for me to tell with sps) ...i thought it was suppose to be the other way around??
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ULNS is for SPS. In the wild, SPS come from ULN waters. Zoas/Palys, softies, and LPS come from water with more nutrients and therefore prefer those conditions.