Best Trace Elements Test Kit?

[Cassian]

hi! I purchased the Red Sea Trace elements to dose in my aquarium, but im having a hard time finding a reliable test kit to check the trace elements before I start dosing. On the back of the package, it says you can dose with calcium in a certain ratio, but I dont dose calcium because it is already at 430 ppm. Any one know how much to dose or a good test kit for these??

 

[Bpb]

hi! I purchased the Red Sea Trace elements to dose in my aquarium, but im having a hard time finding a reliable test kit to check the trace elements before I start dosing. On the back of the package, it says you can dose with calcium in a certain ratio, but I dont dose calcium because it is already at 430 ppm. Any one know how much to dose or a good test kit for these??

There’s no such thing as a trace elements kit. That just doesn’t make sense. You can test individual elements, but there’s not an all in one. Just as it says with Red Sea, you’re supposed to dose whatever ratio it suggests based on your calcium dose. If you don’t have regular calcium consumption, don’t dose trace elements. You’ll do far more damage than good

 

[Cassian]

There’s no such thing as a trace elements kit. That just doesn’t make sense. You can test individual elements, but there’s not an all in one. Just as it says with Red Sea, you’re supposed to dose whatever ratio it suggests based on your calcium dose. If you don’t have regular calcium consumption, don’t dose trace elements. You’ll do far more damage than good

yes I worded that wrong. I meant individual tests for each element. sorry about that. thank you for the advice

 

[Brew12]

Just as it says with Red Sea, you’re supposed to dose whatever ratio it suggests based on your calcium dose. If you don’t have regular calcium consumption, don’t dose trace elements. You’ll do far more damage than good

+1 on this
If you don't need to dose calcium then you don't need to dose trace elements.

There’s no such thing as a trace elements kit.

Redsea does make a trace element test kit that is 3 test kits in one. Very much a pain to use.
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/red-...HOsIOj4jzYvhiHSp2FCJ5c1ulOFtTl_AaAi0-EALw_wcB

 

[Biokabe]

Depends on which trace elements you're testing for.

If your calcium is steady at 430 PPM, then rather than shelling out for a bunch of tests, do an ICP test. I recommend the ATI ICP tests, you can buy the kit off Amazon. Once you have the kit, take your water sample shortly before you do your next regular water change. If your levels are good, then your water changes are supplying your reef with enough trace elements.

 

[Cassian]

thanks every one! ill look into getting an ICP test done

 

[Hemmdog]

I use salifert, but yea it’s a pain. I just dose off calcium consumption and check rarely to make sure it’s on track.

 

[Brew12]

thanks every one! ill look into getting an ICP test done

I don't feel there is value in an ICP if you don't have meaningful demand for Alk and Calk. If water changes are keeping up with both, they will also keep up with trace elements.

 

[Biokabe]

I don't feel there is value in an ICP if you don't have meaningful demand for Alk and Calk. If water changes are keeping up with both, they will also keep up with trace elements.

I agree with you in the general sense, but OP is concerned enough about trace elements that he wants to test for them. Doing at least one ICP test will either tell him that he doesn't need to be concerned about it (in which case, he can just continue testing for calcium and alk), or it will tell him that he's right to be concerned and that he should start testing for them.

It's likely overkill for him to do more than one ICP test, though.

thanks every one! ill look into getting an ICP test done

Once you get the results back, it might be worthwhile to post the results on here. Most ICP tests give you a ton of information, and it's easy to sometimes see false emergencies in the numbers.