First Coral

[valhallae32]

Question, I just put my first coral into my tank, and I just wanted to know if I need to start putting calcium and iodine and other things into the tank.

[dc]

Well what kind of coral is it?

Basically you test before you add any elements.

[reefworm]

Welcome on board RC


need lots of info first. Give us your water parameters - all the nitrogen compounds, alkalinity, calcium, pH, salinity or specific gravity. Has the tank cycled yet? What do you have for lighting? Water flow? What and how often are you feeding the tank? What else is in the tank?

Standard wisdom, is don't add anything for which you don't test.

What is the coral itself?

Research, research, research - impossible to do too much. Approach the hobby with lots of patience and, as you're doing - ask LOTS of questions. Get some good books, Eric Borneman's Aquarium Corals comes to mind for your question, specifically. Other general books from Sprung, Tullock, Shimek and others will be of great help, as is this forum. Make good use of the search function as well.

If you wanted a challenge beyond FW, you've found it

[DSMpunk]

This should get you started.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-04/rhf/index.php

[tripinpn01]

don't start to blindly put ca iodine or anything in. TEST then put it in if necessary.