so far I have noticed that I do need to put a buffer in my water to handle ph swings, so I have been using the Kent Super Buffer, recently though, I have started using the little 'dissolve as needed; blocks in my tank. I was told that while they may in some instances lead to in-balances, that since I am doing a 5 gallon a week water change on a 30 gallon tank, that is not something I need to worry about...

now that I am thinking adding my first hard corals, and thinking about dripping kalk and what not, I am wondering, if my 5 gallon a week water changes are going to take care of what I need done to the water? Right now no hard corals, and the build up will be light.

In late June/July the stand I am building should be done and the tank will then be about 60 gallon total volume (- space taken up by rocks and sand) wondering if that changes the scenario?

Thanks for all your advice guys... I was really nervous about putting corals in, but now that I have had great success with some softies, I am confident about moving up...