New future reefer!

[shiftline]

So filter floss is for mechanical filtration. Do I need carbon in the tank?

I have a RO system that has 2 carbon filters so it should take a lot out of the water.

For salt I was thinking of going with the reef version of instant ocean reef crystals since phosphates and has calcium nase trace elements to keep corals happy

I generally avoids additives and extra chemicals if I can since I think knit just buffers with your water more and could potentially add to swings I parameters. (That being said I have an auto Dosser I built for a planted task if needed)

Do u think I would still need gfp to get rid of phosphates with the reef crystals? Aka does it come from things in the aquarium of just the water?

[Craigdillman]

Reef crystals is not needed if you dont want, most use standard IO salt you won't have a big calcium alk demand at the start specially in a 12g

Phosphates are primarily introduced by feeding and specially overfeeding and in a small tank this will be your enemy also some leach from rocks or sand\but it isn't added in your salt


As for the GFO and Carbon

Test your phosphates and it will tell you if you need gfo or not ( wc will help with p04 )

And Im an advocate for carbon have ran it in all my tanks others dont ( helps take out organics and the "yellowing" agents in the water and generally gives you clear water, But it is by no means necessary