WC not enough?

[NanaReefer]

Hi Randy-

I'm wondering if my 5g bi-weekly water changes are enough to replace lost trace elements. My basic parameters have all been steady. Dosing 2part is working great. Especially with the smaller WC, I get no swings.
Now my concern is the "other" elements that my corals need to thrive. Ones like iodine and strontium.
I'm just now delving into the part these play in my corals health. Thinking that maybe my Fungia's loss of pigment is due to my lights + low iodine? Something like that anyways.

 

[Vivid Aquariums Verified Sponsor]

In most cases I would think that bi-weekly water changes should provide enough in the way of trace elements. It does depend on the salt mix you are using. We have had great luck with Tropic Marin, Brightwell, and DD H2Ocean in the past. For the past two years we have been using Red Sea Coral Pro Salt for our store systems including a JBJ RL30 nano and are very happy with the results.

Usually there is not a need to dose much iodine if you are performing regular water changes. If you do dose iodine then make sure to test for it. Salifert and Red Sea both make good iodine test kits.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I don't think any corals we keep will die from lack of iodine. I no longer think it useful, but if you do, water changes will never keep it at natural levels because it depletes rapidly. Strontium is another that I think has no benefit.

Trace elements is a complicated issue, but no, water changes will not maintain all of them at NSW levels, but it may add enough to keep most from being an issue.

I discuss these things in the context of my Triton testing here:

My Triton Testing Results: By Randy Holmes-Farley - REEFEDITION