Trace elements debate
- Thread starter Reef keeper 103
- Start date
- Tagged users None
Randy Holmes-Farley
Reef Chemist
Staff member
Super Moderator
Excellence Award
Expert Contributor
Article Contributor
R2R Research
My Tank Thread
My opinions are here:
www.reef2reef.com
www.reef2reef.com
Randy's thoughts on trace elements
Randy's thoughts on trace elements in reef aquaria.
www.reef2reef.com
Randy's Elements to Dose
In a previous article I discussed my thoughts on trace elements https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/randys-thoughts-on-trace-elements.951/ This article expands on that discussion by providing specific guidance for all elements one might dose. First...
www.reef2reef.com
OP
OP
Reef keeper 103
Active Member
I’m not making fun of you. I’m just ………well you’ll see what I’m doing. You know about that.My opinions are here:
Randy's thoughts on trace elements
Randy's thoughts on trace elements in reef aquaria.
Randy's Elements to Dose
In a previous article I discussed my thoughts on trace elements https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/randys-thoughts-on-trace-elements.951/ This article expands on that discussion by providing specific guidance for all elements one might dose. First...
Randy Holmes-Farley
Reef Chemist
Staff member
Super Moderator
Excellence Award
Expert Contributor
Article Contributor
R2R Research
My Tank Thread
OP
OP
Reef keeper 103
Active Member
I have no idea.
Randy Holmes-Farley
Reef Chemist
Staff member
Super Moderator
Excellence Award
Expert Contributor
Article Contributor
R2R Research
My Tank Thread
Ok, on what do you base that hypothesis?
Treefer32
Valuable Member
I love this post, I've read as much as I can on trace elements and respect what everyone is doing. I dose based on the fact I don't do water changes and My corals look "prettier" when I'm dosing something. I also have first hand experience with the fact that my algae turf scrubber actually bleaches (All algae on the canvas turns pure bleach white as snow). I asked around what would cause that. I thought I had introduced something toxic to hair algae. (If there is something that toxic to hair algae I want it bottled so I can sell it! )
I asked the maker of the algae scrubber and he said he's had a few people report that and it may be tied to a deficiency. I guess to eliminate hair algae, simply deprive one's tank of trace elements.
It's happened a couple times in the last 2 years where within 24 hours all algae on the screen just turns pure white and it doesn't grow. It scrapes off so easy that I'm pretty sure it's dead.
That said, since being religious about dosing trace elements, I haven't had that bleaching occur since. Plus, my coral colors all look amazing. I don't measure trace elements, but I give measured doses of them.
I think the argument at this point should be - is trace element dosing necessary for a healthy reef yes / no?
If it's healthy to do so, then we can argue the forms of trace elements until we're blue in the face. What I'm doing is working for me so far. I would love cheaper options, but, if it's not broken don't fix it.
I asked the maker of the algae scrubber and he said he's had a few people report that and it may be tied to a deficiency. I guess to eliminate hair algae, simply deprive one's tank of trace elements.
It's happened a couple times in the last 2 years where within 24 hours all algae on the screen just turns pure white and it doesn't grow. It scrapes off so easy that I'm pretty sure it's dead.
That said, since being religious about dosing trace elements, I haven't had that bleaching occur since. Plus, my coral colors all look amazing. I don't measure trace elements, but I give measured doses of them.
I think the argument at this point should be - is trace element dosing necessary for a healthy reef yes / no?
If it's healthy to do so, then we can argue the forms of trace elements until we're blue in the face. What I'm doing is working for me so far. I would love cheaper options, but, if it's not broken don't fix it.
Pod_01
Valuable Member
Sooo… Is there some reason or first hand experience for this opinion?
The statement needs some meat and potatoes…
For example I have done zero water changes, i don’t do any two part and I don’t feed the corals or fish and look all the corals are growing like weeds.
I like to see some pictures.
Otherwise it is silly statement, all living things require some trace elements…
Lavey29
10K Club member
Therein lies the dilemma. If you do weekly water changes then no dose required. If you don't do regular water changes then dosing is required but how much of each.
Pod_01
Valuable Member
Ok I get it now, in that case I agree.
The most important is Phosphate. Try to run your reef tank with zero phosphate and I bet it will not work.
Next Alk level, try it with zero or swing it up and down…
Next down balanced trace elements…
Troylee
all about the diy!!!!!
Stable alk is boring… I like to keep my acros guessing lol…
areefer01
2500 Club Member
So which one is it? First you say in your opinion trace don't really matter then a few posts later you say they are important.
Do you currently keep a display? How long as it been running and how long have you been in the hobby.
Pod_01
Valuable Member
That is not so bad…. mine is also not flat and I had 1dKh swings.Stable alk is boring… I like to keep my acros guessing lol…
Brings up another question, how critical is the alk stability in our boxes?
Or what alk swings are detrimental?
