Trace Elements

[Ally4red]

What does Trace Elements do for your reef tank? I have a marble see store and research says that it requires Trace Elements. Why does it require Trace Elements?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I'm not sure there is any evidence to support the need of trace elements in the water by nonphotosynthetic organisms such as a sea star, as these creatures (like humans) likely get their trace elements from the food they eat. They certainly need trace elements as do all living creatures (iron, copper, etc.), but I would not add anything to the water just because of this sea star. You could always write to live aquaria to explain their statement, but I expect you'll get a generic response that invertebrates can benefit from trace elements.

In general, salt mixes have trace elements in them. Some may become depleted in some reef aquaria, and these aquaria can benefit from adding them. If this is one of your first organisms in the tank, however, I would not dose any trace elements for it.

 

[Tru REEF]

Basically the stuff that comes in the salt. So weekly water changes will provide that. Or u can use Fuel by aquavitro which is what i use. All corals use it for growth, color, and health.

 

[Ally4red]

Thank both of you guys

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

You're welcome.

Good luck!

 

[Ally4red]

Basically the stuff that comes in the salt. So weekly water changes will provide that. Or u can use Fuel by aquavitro which is what i use. All corals use it for growth, color, and health.

Is this it?

 

[Tru REEF]

Yea that's it.

 

[Ally4red]

Yea that's it.

Thanks

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

While it may be useful to dose that mixture to a reef tank, it contains a l0t more than trace elements.

And I'd be shocked if it helped a starfish.

 

[Tru REEF]

No problem.