I know this going to be controversial but.

[Reef keeper 103]

if you look at the old reef tanks, they often tend to not give a crap about trace elements and they stick to the major five moments so I ask you which is more important trace or the major five elements by major. I’m referring to calcium carbonate aka kh, magnesium and also nitrogen and phosphorus levels. i’m not making fun of anybody.

 

[MnFish1]

if you look at the old reef tanks, they often tend to not give a crap about trace elements and they stick to the major five moments so I ask you which is more important trace or the major five elements by major. I’m referring to calcium carbonate aka kh, magnesium and also nitrogen and phosphorus levels. i’m not making fun of anybody.

1. I don't agree that 'old reef tanks' don't give a crap about trace elements. (But - if so maybe that answers your question)
2. Lets put it this way - lets pretend the molybdenum lower level limit of normal was 0.2 and the level in a tank was 0.1. IMHO - using the same percentages, a 50% decrease in alkalinity would be more 'important'. - and In general - for each of the 'major elements' as compared to the 'trace elements' this probably holds true. However - time is also a factor

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Which is more important to your health, iron, vitamin C, protein, or calories?

I don’t see this as a useful comparative question.

All are needed. That does not mean exact levels are needed, or that one necessarily needs to dose any of them.

 

[Reef keeper 103]

OK so I see I misunderstood trace articles in my ADHD brain. I thought you were saying that the trace element levels have to be this high that high and they need to be this exact level or you’ll have a massive problem. I
misunderstood. Although once someone said to never use chemical media like activated carbon or GFO or something else like that because it removes trace elements.

 

[Reefering1]

And don't forget the ole calcium reactors... doesn't melting coral skeletons supply trace elements

 

[Reefer Matt Verified Media Partner]

If asking if it’s more or less important for testing purposes, I don’t check trace elements. Never have. I just do 40% monthly water changes and dose two part.

 

[Reef keeper 103]

…

 

[rtparty]

And don't forget the ole calcium reactors... doesn't melting coral skeletons supply trace elements

From the few ICP tests I’ve seen of reactor effluent, they don’t supply enough trace to supplement a tank. Most of the trace is found in the tissue, not the skeletons.

 

[Reefering1]

From the few ICP tests I’ve seen of reactor effluent, they don’t supply enough trace to supplement a tank. Most of the trace is found in the tissue, not the skeletons.

Does it fill the gap that water changes cant by themselves? Or come close?

 

[rtparty]

Does it fill the gap that water changes cant by themselves? Or come close?

I wish I had the tests to recall everything in better detail. From what I remember seeing they were mostly calcium, alkalinity, and some had decent amounts of phosphate.

If trace element replenishment is one’s goal, I’d look at water changes and dosing some kind of trace element cocktail

 

[Reef keeper 103]

If asking if it’s more or less important for testing purposes, I don’t check trace elements. Never have. I just do 40% monthly water changes and dose two part.

I’m asking if you care more about trace or major 5 elements.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I think foods are a much bigger source of most trace elements than are ordinary water changes. The water change math just does not work out.

 

[Reefering1]

Just trying to draw conclusions of how the amazing reefs of early 2000's managed... Would the combination of the 3 suffice or is there still a deficiency long term?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Just trying to draw conclusions of how the amazing reefs of early 2000's managed... Would the combination of the 3 suffice or is there still a deficiency long term?

That’s a complex question. In the old days many did use trace element supplements.

I think we are fortunate that most trace elements can be in quite a wide range and be sufficiently bioavailable without being toxic.

Modern analytical approaches (icp) may allow folks to better ensure that all needed trace elements in tanks are sufficiently available and also allows determining when some have become too high.

I think the best tanks of today are better than the best tanks of 30 years ago, but I would not claim that is exclusively due to trace elements. Maybe only in a small part.

 

[Reefering1]

That’s a complex question. In the old days many did use trace element supplements.

I think we are fortunate that most trace elements can be in quite a wide range and be sufficiently bioavailable without being toxic.

Modern analytical approaches (icp) may allow folks to better ensure that all needed trace elements in tanks are sufficiently available and also allows determining when some have become too high.

I think the best tanks of today are better than the best tanks of 30 years ago, but I would not claim that is exclusively due to trace elements. Maybe only in a small part.

May it also be a significant part, or at best a small part? Thanks randy!!

 

[Reef keeper 103]

Look I honestly don’t really know why I should care about trace elements maybe I should just give up and just do trace elements stuff.
why????? Does this always happen is the 4 time I’ve been slow and or fast roasted on my own thread. I think I should just leave the forum.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

May it also be a significant part, or at best a small part? Thanks randy!!

I don’t know how big of a part, but wild guess, 10%.

More unusual/more interesting organism availability, 30%

Better flow tools: 20%.

Better lighting: 5-10%.

Better foods: 5%.

Better informed aquarists: 10%.

Other: 15-20%

Just wild guess opinion…

 

[Reefer Matt Verified Media Partner]

I’m asking if you care more about trace or major 5 elements.

I don’t care about trace elements at all, tbh. I have never had a reason to. I do test frequently for those other five though.

 

[KrisReef]

if you look at the old reef tanks, they often tend to not give a crap about trace elements and they stick to the major five moments so I ask you which is more important trace or the major five elements by major. I’m referring to calcium carbonate aka kh, magnesium and also nitrogen and phosphorus levels. i’m not making fun of anybody.

 

[jlitz]

I think foods are a much bigger source of most trace elements than are ordinary water changes. The water change math just does not work out.

Hi Randy. Can you elaborate on “the water change math just does not work out.” I’m currently reevaluating my water change amount/frequency.