ICP Testing Results-Trace Element Depletion Discussion

GBRsouth · Jul 1, 2020

Haven’t seen a discussion on trace element depletion seen in multiple ICP tests. (If you know of any feel free to link them.)

Thought it would be good to hear people’s results and thoughts for us to try to work out which elements corals are using.

Spare time · Jul 2, 2020

It is hard to say what elements are particularly being used since we tend to have such a massive variety of organisms. We tend to congretate corals into groups in this hobby that hold no real scientific significance. There are some that we know for sure play important roles and are depleted quickly such as iron, but much less certainty on others. Red sea tried to make this easy by saying dose 1ml of the trace to 10ml of their calcium. Some salts add what they find in sea water, others contain what is believed to be used by corals and nothing else.

GBRsouth · Jul 2, 2020

I agree, that is why I raised the discussion to see if ICP results can shed any light on what is being consumed.

Spare time said:
It is hard to say what elements are particularly being used since we tend to have such a massive variety of organisms. We tend to congretate corals into groups in this hobby that hold no real scientific significance. There are some that we know for sure play important roles and are depleted quickly such as iron, but much less certainty on others. Red sea tried to make this easy by saying dose 1ml of the trace to 10ml of their calcium. Some salts add what they find in sea water, others contain what is believed to be used by corals and nothing else.

Sallstrom · Jul 2, 2020

Iron, manganese, zink and vanadium are element we add regulary, but almost never see (we get zero) on our ICP tests.
Iodine is used/disappears quite fast, but can be kept stable if finding the right dosage. It will probably be depleted if not added in a reef tank.

What is consumed and what disappears in other ways I don't know.

GBRsouth · Jul 2, 2020

Sallstrom said:
Iron, manganese, zink and vanadium are element we add regulary, but almost never see (we get zero) on our ICP tests.
Iodine is used/disappears quite fast, but can be kept stable if finding the right dosage. It will probably be depleted if not added in a reef tank.

What is consumed and what disappears in other ways I don't know.

Thanks for your valued input! It's interesting to see what elements need replenishing in a system. Looking forward to seeing what other elements others have noticed depleting too.