Sustaining trace elements with water changes

[Luno]

I've always been an advocate of water changes for many reasons but one reason I enjoy a good water change schedule is to replenish trace elements. Those minute fractions that are often forgotten. To be honest I haven't ever been too concerned with them unless something isn't right with the tank and I'm left scratching my head.

I've been planning and over thinking with what I hope will be my final build for many years in the progress.

I feeling I'm going to make use of triton testing more than I ever have to get detailed levels. Maybe once a month, until I can keep everything stable for 3-6 months then push the testing back further and further.

And I know a lot of people have successful reefs doing very little, just the basics. The keep it simple stupid method which I am a fan of. But I think everyone has gotten to a point where something's gone wrong and the best thing to do with reefing is to be proactive and monitor.

So how does everyone deal with trace elements?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Water changes definitely won't maintain NSW levels of some trace elements (it did not in my tank), but I'd also add that we really don't know what levels are "needed".

My suggestion is that, assuming you are not using some sophisticated dosing and/or measurement system, to experiment with certain trace element dowsing methods and see what is most useful for your tank.