What Strontium Test Kit Do You Use?

[Reefhack]

FWIW, I'm not convinced strontium is a useful component in most reef tanks, so I do not measure or supplement it.

Consequently, I haven't kept up with the various test kits since I last used them more than 10 years ago and will have to leave the kit comments to others.

Hey Randy.
I found this old thread about your opinion on strontium. Why does every (at seems) aquaculture facility recommend the addition of minor elements, like strontium, and why don’t you. I’m just curious. And possibly wanting to lower my water change schedule.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Hey Randy.
I found this old thread about your opinion on strontium. Why does every (at seems) aquaculture facility recommend the addition of minor elements, like strontium, and why don’t you. I’m just curious. And possibly wanting to lower my water change schedule.

I don't know what every aquaculture facility does, but as far as I have seen, and as far as many advanced reefers have seen that I have talked to, there's no evidence that it is useful. My guess is that such facilities have not compared with strontium management vs without, and it is just cheaper to add it than to experiment to see if it is actually useful.

There certainly is not a single publication in any literature (reef hobby or scientific) that I have seen that demonstrates such a benefit form a side by side comparison.

Many people confuse the uptake of strontium into coral skeletons with a benefit or need of doing so, rather than it just being accidental incorporation (like uranium and plutonium are known to do) in place of calcium. The fact that abiotic precipitation of calcium carbonate incorporates strontium at a similar rate suggests to me that it is just chemical accident.

 

[Reefhack]

I don't know what every aquaculture facility does, but as far as I have seen, and as far as many advanced reefers have seen that I have talked to, there's no evidence that it is useful. My guess is that such facilities have not compared with strontium management vs without, and it is just cheaper to add it than to experiment to

There certainly is not a single publication in any literature (reef hobby or scientific) that I have seen that demonstrates such a benefit form a side by side comparison.

Many people confuse the uptake of strontium into coral skeletons with a benefit or need of doing so, rather than it just being accidental incorporation (like uranium and plutonium are known to do) in place of calcium. The fact that abiotic precipitation of calcium carbonate incorporates strontium at a similar rate suggests to me that it is just chemical accident.

I don't know what every aquaculture facility does, but as far as I have seen, and as far as many advanced reefers have seen that I have talked to, there's no evidence that it is useful. My guess is that such facilities have not compared with strontium management vs without, and it is just cheaper to add it than to experiment to see if it is actually useful.

There certainly is not a single publication in any literature (reef hobby or scientific) that I have seen that demonstrates such a benefit form a side by side comparison.

Many people confuse the uptake of strontium into coral skeletons with a benefit or need of doing so, rather than it just being accidental incorporation (like uranium and plutonium are known to do) in place of calcium. The fact that abiotic precipitation of calcium carbonate incorporates strontium at a similar rate suggests to me that it is just chemical accident.

As always, thank you for your insight and dedication to the hobby.
Maybe BRS can do a side by side comparison someday.
Mike

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

As always, thank you for your insight and dedication to the hobby.
Maybe BRS can do a side by side comparison someday.
Mike

Maybe. Coral growth tests take a long time and a lot of effort, and hence why few do them.

Thanks for the comments!