Addition of trace elements via algae foods

[kevensquint]

Good morning ,
I have a softies tank with tangs. I feed green and purple nori about every other day. I'm just wondering if these algae foods might add things like Fe, I2 and K to the tank simply by being fed to the tangs regularly. Or would I need to actually micro-dose them just the same as I would in a softies tank. Thank you

 

[geddavis]

So long as you do WC you should be fine. If you are worried just test and see what the levels are. I don’t believe that adding algae will provide corals with any trace elements but it probebly gives the fish what they need.

 

[kevensquint]

My idea was if those elements are in the algae..wouldn't they end up in the water at some point after digestion or decomposition?

 

[wesman42]

My idea was if those elements are in the algae..wouldn't they end up in the water at some point after digestion or decomposition?

I think you're spot on, they would end up in the aquarium but maybe not at amounts that are conducive to fueling growth?

 

[geddavis]

The fish will absorb a lot of the elements and adding algae for trace elements is not a good system as it adds more nutrients than elements. Like I said a quik test will tell you sheathed or not you need to dose.