Miniscule Marine Matter: What trace elements do you consider?

[Peace River]

Miniscule Marine Matter: What trace elements do you consider?

As we work to create the best space for our own mini reefs, it can be helpful to be aware of the water parameters in our tanks including the trace elements. Although trace elements may account for only a small part of the chemical makeup of our water, they are important to the health and growth of our corals. Sometimes reefer keepers use various methods to add trace elements such as Balling Method, Zeovit, Moonshiner’s Method, and more. Additionally, sometimes ICP feedback is used to determine the dosing.

Pro Tip:
If you are using a dosing pump to add your trace elements, check your dosers to make sure that you are adding the intended amount. Regular preventive maintenance is helpful for all your equipment and especially on your dosing equipment.

Photo by @JMacedo

For more details on adding trace elements to your reef aquarium or on reef chemistry in general, please check out the R2R Reef Chemistry section of the forum.


This QOTD is sponsored by: www.tidalgardens.com

“The goal of Tidal Gardens is to offer the highest quality corals to those seeking a piece of that world without destroying it. We hope to instill a deep appreciation for the natural reefs and help develop a self sustaining hobby that no longer requires the collection of fish and corals.”

 

[Reefer Matt Verified Media Partner]

I am not heavily into trace element testing myself, as I do regular, adequate water changes. However, I do know that elements such as iodine deplete very rapidly, often within days.
I am always learning and improving, and will be testing trace elements to ensure their levels, instead of assuming water changes are enough.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I do regular ICP tests to determine deficiencies
I have all on the list as they are part /ingredients in the moonshiners program
I add aminos daily as well as a couple of pohls supplements

 

[GARRIGA]

No clue but I've known since the 80s as being required yet having no ICP there's was no way of grasping that needing replacement. Purely a shot in the dark or fixed via WC. Fact is, don't recall what was available to correct. Luckily today there are lots of options. AFR plus ICP plus A&K supplement (not sure exactly yet based on what parameter) along with indiviudal adjustments as needed. Which method I'll follow is unknown and likely just learn them all and decide for myself after some applied theory and how life reacts. Kind of the way one winged it in the 80s. Little of this. Little of that. Stop if it reacts badly. Increase slowly if it responded favorably until a middle ground found. At least that was going to be my approach had I found a solution back before testing assisted.

 

[mattdg]

I dose trace via tropic marin K+ and A- , mixed in with Alk and Cal. 100 ml / gallon, seems to keep everything happy in my densely populated 120G reef. Also have an AWC, so new water is being added daily. If something is off, I will generally do a large WC. I don't mess with trying to dial in specific levels or relying on ICP tests. Visual observation and a water change reset, have kept my mixed reef in good shape for many years. I will dose a 20-30 ml of trace, after running carbon for 24 hours, every other month, but daily dosing via alk/cal is the norm for me.

 

[bushdoc]

Just to clarify things: trace elements are those minerals/ metals present in tissues in small amounts, therefore Calcium and Magnesium are Not trace elements as they are literally a backbone of SPS and LPS skeletons .
Now- I do not dose any trace elements. I do ICP tests every 8-10 months and didn’t find any big deficiencies, perhaps water changes are addressing those.

 

[Minifoot77]

I'm on the shine so all of them

 

[Minifoot77]

I do regular ICP tests to determine deficiencies
I have all on the list as they are part /ingredients in the moonshiners program
I add aminos daily as well as a couple of pohls supplements

What aminos do you use? I'm using acropower currently

 

[BiocubeGuy]

What aminos do you use? I'm using acropower currently

AB+ is awesome as well.

 

[vetteguy53081]

What aminos do you use? I'm using acropower currently

Acropower but mainly seachem Fuel which I find more effective. Acropower good for SPS

 

[Minifoot77]

Acropower but mainly seachem Fuel which I find more effective. Acropower good for SPS

Doesn't fuel have other stuff in it for traces? I have a bottle in the fridge but running the shine I was worried about it

 

[Minifoot77]

AB+ is awesome as well.

That was what I was looking at next I think

 

[vetteguy53081]

Doesn't fuel have other stuff in it for traces? I have a bottle in the fridge but running the shine I was worried about it

Yes and coral need it. I apply Small dose daily as i also do water changes daily for trace element replenishment

 

[1979fishgeek]

I regularly check my reef with a monthly reef zlemebts icp, I consider all of them part of the puzzle and since dosing as guided by results my tanks looking amazing.

 

[vlangel]

I checked calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium even though I only dose those rarely. I dose iron weekly because I know macroalgae take it up quickly. I dose Coral Vite because some of the other trace elements and minerals are only needed in trace amounts and I am afraid to dose straight iodine for fear of overdosing.

 

[CNDReef]

Moonshiner for the win

 

[Minifoot77]

Yes and coral need it. I apply Small dose daily as i also do water changes daily for trace

Do you do the moonshiners dosing as well?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Do you do the moonshiners dosing as well?

I did but no longer but now use the chemicals as supplements when needed.

 

[Minifoot77]

I did but no longer but now use the chemicals as supplements when needed.

Ok that makes sense im on the shine still

 

[MnFish1]

I would not consider calcium or Mg trace elements, but rather major elements (like sodium and Chloride). Excepting those - I dose 'none'