Actually you are correct Steve, I haven't done any water changes as my water
is only a few weeks old and I just added most of my rock 1 week ago. I did
not want to change water until the mini-cycle was completed. I do water
tests every other day. None of my test results warranted a water change.
That's not to say I don't know I should change water anyway. I'm very
aware.

As a matter of fact this weekend will be my first water change as my water
parameters look good so my cycle is done and I'm about to add livestock
later in the week. (shrimp, lawnmower blenny, maybe a fiji yellow leather)

I've know several aquariums that have been going for a long time with no
protein skimmers or sumps. I used Seachem Prime when I started the aquarium
with tap (remember not to pick on me), during the cycle and even when adding
new Ro/Di water. However, I don't think I'll need it as often now. I also
use Red Sea's Calcium +3. Lastnight I used my first phosphate killer.
Those are it. I do a large amount of water filtering for the 90g (2 -
emperor 400's). The protein skimmer isn't ruled out, but I'm going to try
it without at first.

Weird thing is salinity now. I have a floating thermometer that tells me my
salt is perfect but the marineland tester says my salinity is too high (not
caused by bubbles in the tester). I need to figure out what to do there...
I might take some water to the store for testing. Any problem can be fixed
through the upcoming water change.

Thanks for the help. Sometimes putting thoughts into type is hard, I'm
already too wordy. I hope I'm clear. Feel free to ask me questions. I
don't want to kill anything; looking forward to a beautiful, happy tank.

B

"Steve" wrote in message
news
On Fri, 30 Jun 2006 13:42:13 GMT, Wayne Sallee
wrote:

I am a *big* fan of kalk, but it's *not* the only way.


Fair comment I'm sure. I have never tried to do things any other way
myself, though I have heard dealers mentioning other proprietary
products instead. In fact I get mutterings about this every time I
mention kalk to one local guy... I always wondered if that was sales
talk though, kalk is cheap and doesn't earn anybody much after all. So
how well do other things work then? Any advantages over using kalk,
given that Ca and OH seem to be the main things you need to add long
term? Interested in your views. My main point to the OP here though
was that he seems to be doing nothing much other than adding fresh
topup to this tank, and has said nothing about water changes either,
which is a worry. And my own tanks have always seemed to go backwards
as soon as I've had skimmer problems, as has occured in the past, so
I'm a big believer in those.

Steve