What is the idea trace element system for a large system running a Calcium reactor?

[Lousybreed]

I have about 700 gallons total. I have not dosed trace elements for about 3 months. Almost all of my trace elements came back at zero or not detectable. I do 10% water changes weekly. I would like to start using a good trace elements system...BUT...at my tank volume it needs to be concentrated so I am not going thru a bottle a week. That isn’t fiscally a possibility.

 

[Ron Reefman]

How long has your system been running?
How long has it been well stocked?
When did you start testing for trace elements?
How was the everything in the tank doing before you found the trace elements were at zero?
How much do the trace elements cost per week?

Maybe bigger water changes would help?
Maybe a different salt mix could help?
Maybe a reduction in animal population would slow the use of trace elements?
Maybe feeding a bit more could help?

I've never been a big fan of worrying about trace elements. And do I few water changes. But I do feed a very wide variety of foods and I tend to feed a bit on the heavy side.

Good luck. I'd love to see a photo of your tank. I hope you get some help here.
#reefsquad

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Most trace element mixtures do not tell you what is in them in terms of concentration, so comparing them is very difficult.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Maybe bigger water changes would help?
Maybe a different salt mix could help?
Maybe a reduction in animal population would slow the use of trace elements?
Maybe feeding a bit more could help?

While it is difficult, if not impossible to say how much of a given trace element is "required by" or "optimal for" all organisms, it is easy to see that water changes alone will not maintain natural levels of certain trace elements, such as manganese, that are depleted very rapidly.

 

[Lousybreed]

Most trace element mixtures do not tell you what is in them in terms of concentration, so comparing them is very difficult.

Yeah. Snake oil. It stresses me out. I feel like I am going to just start making my own. And only use what my tank needs and base all decisions on ICP test results.

 

[Lousybreed]

How long has your system been running?
How long has it been well stocked?
When did you start testing for trace elements?
How was the everything in the tank doing before you found the trace elements were at zero?
How much do the trace elements cost per week?

Maybe bigger water changes would help?
Maybe a different salt mix could help?
Maybe a reduction in animal population would slow the use of trace elements?
Maybe feeding a bit more could help?

I've never been a big fan of worrying about trace elements. And do I few water changes. But I do feed a very wide variety of foods and I tend to feed a bit on the heavy side.

Good luck. I'd love to see a photo of your tank. I hope you get some help here.
#reefsquad

My problem is that I am pushing coral growth as hard as possible. Most aquaculture facilities are dosing traces because when limiting they find it boosts growth a bit and helps with colors. My system has been up for 3 yrs. I have a heavy fish bioload, feed pretty heavy, feed my corals even heavier, and have a huge fuge and skimmer to keep phosphates at 0.04-0.035. I am seriously just considering what traces are critical and making my own dosing regime to address them.

 

[Lousybreed]

Bigger water changes are not worth it since the cost of doing even a 10% WC is big for me.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Having almost 850 gallons total volume, I dose 6ml of Seachems trace weekly in addition to 5ml amino and now running a large Skimz Zeovit unit
Using Tropic Marin has improve my nutrients a bit

 

[X-37B]

Check out DSR trace. I have been running it my 120 with tunze manmade media in my carx. I only dose 5 ml a day currently. Does not have all trace elements but works well in my system.
I do not do water changes on my 120 or 45 frag system.
I also dose esv strontium once a week.
Good color and growth so far at almost 11 months with 4 on the frag system.

 

[Lousybreed]

Having almost 850 gallons total volume, I dose 6ml of Seachems trace weekly in addition to 5ml amino and now running a large Skimz Zeovit unit
Using Tropic Marin has improve my nutrients a bit

What’s up bro!!!! Hey do you use the trace elements along with their reef plus? You like the combo? I might give it a try. Seems concentrated and Seachem seems like a good company.

 

[vetteguy53081]

What’s up bro!!!! Hey do you use the trace elements along with their reef plus? You like the combo? I might give it a try. Seems concentrated and Seachem seems like a good company.

I do and I see happy Coral

 

[Lousybreed]

I like happy coral