Dosing trace elements

[JamesTh]

Hi,

So I did a FM ICP test, and the results came back. I’m low on zinc, nickel, and a couple more, So I’ve gone ahead and bought some reef zlements trace elements.

Using the RZ online calculator it tells me what I need to dose, just as all the other suppliers do, I guess. It will tell me to dose a specific trace elements and also a corresponding ml amount, to achieve the required increase in that trace element. All good so far!

I guess I need to work out how fast these elements are being consumed, if so when should I do the two ICP tests, please? This i guess will give me the consumption rate of the different trace elements, and then I can work out how quickly they’re being consumed, and dose appropriately. Should these two ICP tests be a week, or a month apart?

As further background i typically do a 15% weekly water change, using TM Syn-biotic salt (pro-reef which includes bacteria), if that’s useful to know at all?

 

[blaxsun]

I would probably do it two weeks apart, with a sample right after your next water change and then another before your next water change in 2-4 weeks (etc.)

 

[JamesTh]

I would probably do it two weeks apart, with a sample right after your next water change and then another before your next water change in 2-4 weeks (etc.)

Thank you!

 

[Lavey29]

Typically water changes suffice to replenish trace elements however sometimes additional dosing is needed. A lot depends on what's in your salt brand. I would proceed slowly as indicated above so as not to overdose.

 

[resortez]

You will need to collect lots of data, as you work towards increasing specific elements. Figuring out how quickly they are consumed & how much to dose to replenish said elements & how frequently to keep them stable. 2-3 weeks of data will give you a good picture of how elements move up & down.