Question to reefers that do not perform any water changes.

[Koty]

For reefers that do not perform any water changes, can you point at one or more trace elements that are significantly consumed compared to others and one or more, if at all trace elements that accumulate?
Thanks in advance for sharing.

 

[blaxsun]

I haven't run a lab test in a long while (on my "todo" list), so I couldn't give you a specific list. But out of the three I normally test for (iron, potassium and iodine) - I'm only typically low on iron.

 

[Koty]

I test potassium. It is not a trace element. My tank consumes it, so I adjust it manually.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

For reefers that do not perform any water changes, can you point at one or more trace elements that are significantly consumed compared to others and one or more, if at all trace elements that accumulate?
Thanks in advance for sharing.

Whether you do water changes or not, iron and manganese are rapidly depleted and are almost certainly replenished more by foods than water changes.

Folks have this water change idea that water changes are a way to replenish trace elements, while ignoring what is likely a far bigger input from foods.

 

[MischiefReef]

Ive had a no water change system for 5+ years running. 90 gallon system I haven’t regularly dosed trace elements other than manganese and strontium (very rarely). I also used seachem fuel for about a year once every 2 weeks. Sorry I have never done an ICP for that tank. It is lightly stocked, only two clowns, lots of LPS and softies. The tank return pump even broke down for 6 months with me being too busy to swap it out. So the tank was essentially carried by the power heads only, no skimmer, no sump, and dechlorinated tap top off water was added directly to the display tank. During that time I had no losses . I should add the rock scape in this tank is packed to walls, old school style, so like 50-60% rocks to water ratio from what I can judge

IIRC there was a similar thread I browsed in the past that made mentions of manganese, strontium, iron, zinc, iodine and quite a few others I can’t remember but could probably google research if it would help you.

 

[MischiefReef]

Whether you do water changes or not, iron and manganese are rapidly depleted and are almost certainly replenished more by foods than water changes.

Folks have this water change idea that water changes are a way to replenish trace elements, while ignoring what is likely a far bigger input from foods.

Well there, you have it. Advice from a true pro, and put far more concisely than my post!

 

[Rick's Reviews]

Reef2reef has taught me soo many things about how to keep and maintain my aquarium for the last 4 years, in this short time I don't consider myself a pro in anyway shape or form.

I find that these science, biology, microscope, chemistry comments overwhelming

 

[Koty]

No WC for about2ys. I use aquaforest fortified by TM A & K. I use KZ spongpower which is pure acetic acid and Mn. I understand that corals get trace elements from food but i dose anyway just to make sure. However with all that dosing I wonder if I overdose anything. Coras, fish, and algae are doing very well. Most are LPS but few SPS. I used the TLF heavy metal adsorber ocationally thinking that it will reset my dosing to prevent accumulation.

 

[CNDReef]

I haven’t done a wc in 3 years but do run the reef moonshiners program. I send out a icp monthly. I typically dose iodide, manganese, iron, cobalt, chromium on a daily bases and almost every month after the test I correct fluoride, barium, zinc, nickel, strontium and potassium. Sometimes others but these are the most common monthly.