How to make sure tank is getting proper trace elements

[JosephM]

So I have a 29gal DT with 20gal sump. 35+ frag mostly LPS with some softies and SPS. I use ESV b-ionic 2 part which I understand contains trace elements but at a small level. Tank is only about 3 months old and consuming very little alk. Is the ESV providing enough trace elements or do I need to be dosing something else. I saw a thread where the company recommends their iodide and strontium in addition and for tanks older then 4 months to use their transition elements. Should I be using all of these? Should I get an ICP test to see if I’m lacking anything and go off that? Or should I just let my tank mature some more.

I don’t do water changes. I did one at the start of the tank and that’s it. I can control my export to any level I want but trying to figure out the trace element thing as that’s the only thing I missing by not doing water changes

 

[PBnJOnWheat]

So I have a 29gal DT with 20gal sump. 35+ frag mostly LPS with some softies and SPS. I use ESV b-ionic 2 part which I understand contains trace elements but at a small level. Tank is only about 3 months old and consuming very little alk. Is the ESV providing enough trace elements or do I need to be dosing something else. I saw a thread where the company recommends their iodide and strontium in addition and for tanks older then 4 months to use their transition elements. Should I be using all of these? Should I get an ICP test to see if I’m lacking anything and go off that? Or should I just let my tank mature some more.

I don’t do water changes. I did one at the start of the tank and that’s it. I can control my export to any level I want but trying to figure out the trace element thing as that’s the only thing I missing by not doing water changes

Do an ICP test every so often to see if things are where they should be. Best way IMO to test for everything in the book. Find what u need, stabilize or dose it then go from a couple tests a year to one or two lol. TRITON METHOD!!!

 

[JosephM]

Do an ICP test every so often to see if things are where they should be. Best way IMO to test for everything in the book. Find what u need, stabilize or dose it then go from a couple tests a year to one or two lol. TRITON METHOD!!!

So send in an ICP test to see what I need to be changing and then say 3 months later send another one in to see if I’m dosing the correct amount? And then just periodically every few months send a new one on just to stay in check

 

[Sdot]

So send in an ICP test to see what I need to be changing and then say 3 months later send another one in to see if I’m dosing the correct amount? And then just periodically every few months send a new one on just to stay in check

This is not a bad idea, you just have to be careful with chasing icp numbers (remember it can be a few weeks or a month before you get your results back). That was my issue....my suggestion always take a look at your tank/corals they will tell you if something is wrong most of the time. When you receive your ICP results, log any recommended steps/dosage to correct said issue. After a couple of test you will get an idea of how your tank is consuming trace elements. You can then dose accordingly and every quarter or so send off another. You can then modify your routine based your quarterly icp results.

 

[zukihara]

So send in an ICP test to see what I need to be changing and then say 3 months later send another one in to see if I’m dosing the correct amount? And then just periodically every few months send a new one on just to stay in check

Essentially, this is what Reef Moonshiners is all about. Find their Facebook group and download the pamphlet. Loads to learn.

 

[JosephM]

This is not a bad idea, you just have to be careful with chasing icp numbers (remember it can be a few weeks or a month before you get your results back). That was my issue....my suggestion always take a look at your tank/corals they will tell you if something is wrong most of the time. When you receive your ICP results, log any recommended steps/dosage to correct said issue. After a couple of test you will get an idea of how your tank is consuming trace elements. You can then dose accordingly and every quarter or so send off another. You can then modify your routine based your quarterly icp results.

Okay sounds good. They all look good for the most part except a bird nest that’s bleaching I think due to high nitrates (working on getting them down) and my torches that are getting too much constant flow.

Essentially, this is what Reef Moonshiners is all about. Find their Facebook group and download the pamphlet. Loads to learn.

I’ll check them out, thank you!

 

[PBnJOnWheat]

It’s called the triton method of you want the actual origins of the ideal no water change setup. My preferred way to do tanks

 

[Knotyet]

Water changes

 

[JosephM]

It’s called the triton method of you want the actual origins of the ideal no water change setup. My preferred way to do tanks

True true. I’ve heard of that before

 

[Sdot]

Okay sounds good. They all look good for the most part except a bird nest that’s bleaching I think due to high nitrates (working on getting them down) and my torches that are getting too much constant flow.

I’ll check them out, thank you!

Yeah its important you find what works for your tank. Example: on my current build I initially went with the recommended .03 Phos and 5ppm nitrate. However my colors where just meh.... now with my nitrates sitting between 8- 15ppm and phos closer to .1 everything pops!

 

[JosephM]

Water changes

I’m not gonna do water changes when I’m already having to dose P04 daily and when chaeto is doing good N03

 

[Sdot]

True true. I’ve heard of that before

Yes i am not on triton but ati essentials... which is ATI's version. Been using it for years, with a blended approach.

 

[JosephM]

Yeah its important you find what works for your tank. Example: on my current build I initially we with the recommended .03 Phos and 5ppm nitrate. However my colors where just meh.... now with my nitrates sitting between 8- 15ppm and phos closer to .1 everything pops!

That’s very interesting! I’m struggling so much to get my P04 up and stable. I’ve been trying to get them up for weeks. Got to 0.05 yesterday though!! Highest I’ve ever been lol

 

[JosephM]

Yes i am not on triton but ati essentials... which is ATI's version. Been using it for years, with a blended approach.

How’s it been working for you?

 

[Sdot]

That’s very interesting! I’m struggling so much to get my P04 up and stable. I’ve been trying to get them up for weeks. Got to 0.05 yesterday though!! Highest I’ve ever been lol

intially it is hard... you have to allow to rocks to absorb what they will after a while you will be fine. i started dosing phos up to 20ML per day to get readings. Now higher phos fish food does the trick for me. I still need to dose nitrates however... at around 15ML per day to keep me near my threshold.

 

[Sdot]

How’s it been working for you?

I love it! Never have an issue with availability and it does work really well and very potent stuff. I would never use it concentrated...waaaay to strong. I would recommend diluting it with distilled or rodi water 4:1 for best results. I have found if you are not sending icp test regularly the tank does suffer. My blended approach is the following:
a small 10% water change with natural sea water (I order Pacific Ocean water) every 2 months and 1 icp test a quarter. That keeps my tank happy as long as my nutrients are where they need to be.

 

[JosephM]

intially it is hard... you have to allow to rocks to absorb what they will after a while you will be fine. i started dosing phos up to 20ML per day to get readings. Now higher phos fish food does the trick for me. I still need to dose nitrates however... at around 15ML per day to keep me near my threshold.

I don’t know how much more my rocks will absorb since they’ve supposedly been in the ocean for over 2 years (KPA live rock)

 

[PBnJOnWheat]

Yes i am not on triton but ati essentials... which is ATI's version. Been using it for years, with a blended approach.

Preach man!! No water change gang!!! Lol even though u mentioned 10% just now reading but. Yeh I run a CaX to supplement instead of 2-part.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

So send in an ICP test to see what I need to be changing and then say 3 months later send another one in to see if I’m dosing the correct amount? And then just periodically every few months send a new one on just to stay in check

That's a reasonable plan, but be warned, trace and minor elements are not really that simple.

Some (like iron) cannot be detected by hobby ICP companies at natural levels. Some also deplete very fast (a couple of days from NSW levels to almost none) while some deplete very slowly, or not at all. Inferring results after 3 months will depend strongly on when you last dosed.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I’m not gonna do water changes when I’m already having to dose P04 daily and when chaeto is doing good N03

IMO, the reason to do water changes is not primarily to manage nutrients, but the no water change method does certainly work. it just carries more responsibility to make sure you are maintaining many things correctly.