importance of trace elements while growing SPS corals?

[hart24601]

Not sure if I explained that very well.. this might be better

We can top up the calcium to 400ppm with something like kalkwasser, but the trace elements will also be equally depleted.

I would say while this is true and quite applicable to the major elements trace elements can be a different story - they will be less than a 100% w/c of course, however when doing daily AWC they are constantly added or removed if the concentration is too high. For most trace elements they just need to be present, and they exist at such low amounts in nsw that even ICP tests get iffy on some elements with the limit of detection and error ranges. While with AWC and a salt brand one feels is complete will be adding those elements daily. The concentration of these elements vs the w/c is of course based off the consumption and most trace elements do not appear to be consumed very quickly with the amount that is added with feeding the tank, which is another reason AWC are nice to balance those from getting too high - at least to me. Feeding can be a significant source of trace elements where food has nearly no impact on the major elements.

Not that any one method is needed to have a nice tank, just I am lazy!

 

[Ruben's Reef]

I was dosing Kalkwasser thru my ATO but my Alk start getting lower and lower all the way to 5.5dkh so I try ATI Essentials Pro manually dosing both parts @ 5ml a day and got my alk stable at 7.5dkh Now I'm putting to work two BRS dosers to make my job easier.

 

[nick9one1]

I was dosing Kalkwasser thru my ATO but my Alk start getting lower and lower all the way to 5.5dkh so I try ATI Essentials Pro manually dosing both parts @ 5ml a day and got my alk stable at 7.5dkh Now I'm putting to work two BRS dosers to make my job easier.

I like the essentials pro because it's so concentrated. The two 2 litre bottles should last me the year!
Also no need to dose anything else like trace colours etc. They're a complete solution in two bottles.

 

[SeaDweller]

To answer the original question. Yes, I use the Triton method, which includes ALK, MAG, CAL and Trace elements.

From what I see above, some of your numbers look a bit weird.

For example:
ALK/DKH: 8.1 - 8.3 = Looks a bit low for a tank with SPS corals. I'd shoot for 9 to 10.
CA: 300- 350 = Looks a bit low for a tank with SPS corals. I'd shoot for 450
MG: 1400-1550

Low 8’s is not low dkh for an sps tank. There isn’t really a reason to have dKh higher than 8.5, and if one does one should have higher nutrient levels to support the possible increased growth from those high of levels. Some keep their sps tanks at 6.5, and I think many target levels between 7.5-8.0 dKh. In some instances, even 8.5 dKh is high; it just depends on the system.

Ca is a bit low, and I don’t think you Mg levels are an issue. Live aquaria salt aka Fritz RPM does give me wonky numbers but I haven’t had an issue with it 400 gallons ago. I just don’t care for it anymore. What Red Sea salt were you using, OP?

What sticks out to me is your lighting schedule. You max at 85% for only 2 hours. Your peak photoperiod should be 6-8 hrs.

 

[BeejReef]

Not sure if I explained that very well.. this might be better

We can top up the calcium to 400ppm with something like kalkwasser, but the trace elements will also be equally depleted.

great graphic. a picture is worth 1000 words more often than not

 

[Greatreefer]

Yes but not with testing...i use the Fauna Marin balling light method and it includes trace elements to be added in the mix in a balanced way.

Wait... is one of those bottles $295?

 

[SeaDweller]

Wait... is one of those bottles $295?

Still want an sps tank?[emoji23][emoji24][emoji383]

Probably different currency, dude.

 

[Iván Olalla]

Wait... is one of those bottles $295?

lol....those are mexican pesos, about 15 usd....

 

[nick9one1]

Low 8’s is not low dkh for an sps tank. There isn’t really a reason to have dKh higher than 8.5, and if one does one should have higher nutrient levels to support the possible increased growth from those high of levels. Some keep their sps tanks at 6.5, and I think many target levels between 7.5-8.0 dKh. In some instances, even 8.5 dKh is high; it just depends on the system.

Ca is a bit low, and I don’t think you Mg levels are an issue. Live aquaria salt aka Fritz RPM does give me wonky numbers but I haven’t had an issue with it 400 gallons ago. I just don’t care for it anymore. What Red Sea salt were you using, OP?

What sticks out to me is your lighting schedule. You max at 85% for only 2 hours. Your peak photoperiod should be 6-8 hrs.

I agree. It's far more important to have stable values and the correct balance between alk and calcium.

7.5.dkh - 414ppm
8dkh - 417ppm
8.5dkh - 421ppm
9dkh - 424ppm
9.5dkh - 428ppm

(Google alk calcium calculators)

 

[SeaDweller]

I agree. It's far more important to have stable values and the correct balance between alk and calcium.

7.5.dkh - 414ppm
8dkh - 417ppm
8.5dkh - 421ppm
9dkh - 424ppm
9.5dkh - 428ppm

(Google alk calcium calculators)

I get nervous when my alk hits 8.4+, as I’ve seen my own stuff not do that well at that level for long times (8.5-8.7). I always try to shoot for 8.0 max now.

 

[Whispers]

I agree my tanks at 7.5-8.0

 

[Greatreefer]

I like the essentials pro because it's so concentrated. The two 2 litre bottles should last me the year!
Also no need to dose anything else like trace colours etc. They're a complete solution in two bottles.

"Essentials PRO" Which brand is that?

 

[Ruben's Reef]

"Essentials PRO" Which brand is that?

ATI

 

[Greatreefer]

I agree. It's far more important to have stable values and the correct balance between alk and calcium.

7.5.dkh - 414ppm
8dkh - 417ppm
8.5dkh - 421ppm
9dkh - 424ppm
9.5dkh - 428ppm

(Google alk calcium calculators)

for some clarification, here's a snap shot of the lighting schedule.

 

[mitch91175]

for some clarification, here's a snap shot of the lighting schedule.

My light schedule is very similar to yours.

 

[Greatreefer]

ATI

How long have you been dosing the essentials?

 

[Greatreefer]

My light schedule is very similar to yours.

So, i don't think the color change in the corals have to do with lighting. I think where I'm falling short is on the nutrient side NO3, p04 and the micro nutritents.

 

[madweazl]

I agree. It's far more important to have stable values and the correct balance between alk and calcium.

7.5.dkh - 414ppm
8dkh - 417ppm
8.5dkh - 421ppm
9dkh - 424ppm
9.5dkh - 428ppm

(Google alk calcium calculators)

This "balance" between alkalinity and calcium levels doesn't exist. You could have calcium levels from 380-500 and there would be no difference in the health of the coral(s). There is a wide margin for acceptable results and no need to get into the weeds on maintaining a specific number.

 

[Greatreefer]

The problem with your question is, you will get a million different answers, everyone does it differently and have different systems, but in all my years of doing this stability is one common denominator for the vast majority of successful SPS tanks.... if your going to do water changes, pick a salt, then keep your ALK, Ca, K and Mg at this same level. I’d get this bit correct before Starting looking for other solutions to your issues otherwise you’ll be chasing your tail forever and never knowing what solves what issue... after a few months get an ICP test done and report back and we can then help further.. as regarding test kits, trace elements are so difficult to measure even for ICPs, I’d potentially get a potassium kit, the others I wouldn’t bother with for now...

great advise. Thanks for your honesty.

 

[Ruben's Reef]

How long have you been dosing the essentials?

For about 2 month.