Strontium

[jglackin]

I notice that some SPS vendors recommend Strontium supplementation. I have done a search in this forum and find little if anything on Strontium. Do any of you supplement Strontium?

 

[Douglas LEHMAN]

Hello Jim
Yes, I do with each water change. 20% twice a month...

 

[jglackin]

So, you are saying that it is just what is in your salt mix and you do changes twice a month?

 

[Pufferpunk]

I was wondering... How come salt doesn't come with the amounts of Ca & Alk that your tanks need? What else is missing? Who adds what, to their water change water?

 

[Jeff]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10599239#post10599239 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Pufferpunk
Who adds what, to their water change water?

I clip my toenails and add them to the fresh saltwater for added calcium.

Jeff

 

[robsee06]

Salt does come with the appropriate amounts af Calcium and Alkalinity (and everything else). Calcifying organisms use calcium and carbonate (alkalinity) to make their skeletons. We have to supplement it because these animals use it up and it must be replenished.

 

[PSam]

LOL @ toenails.

I used to add Kent's Sr + Molybdenum, but I haven't yet found any source that shows that the *extra addition (outside of WC) is necessary. And, since I stopped adding it, I haven't noticed any difference. From what I understand, your salt mix should provide all the Sr you need.

I did think this was interesting:

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10554646#post10554646 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by spamin76
Ok - something to keep in mind about strontium...
It is very similar to calcium in reactivity, thus that is why testing for it is so long and convoluted... you have to make sure you get all the calcium up before you can get an accurate reading on the strontium.

Your water changes should be replenishing your calcium and strontium. If you don't have calcium problems, you probably don't have strontium problems as well.

Speaking as someone who knows a thing or two about biochemistry, most organisms require magnesium or calcium for many of their enzymes to operate... strontium is not a cofactor for any enzyme I know of in either eukaryotic or prokaryotic organisms... so in terms of biosynthesis or respiration there really isn't any evidence I have ever come across that says strontium is important for corals to live(or at least anymore important than calcium). If you know of any let me know the enzyme or pathway and I will look it up. There are some situations in which an enzyme will use strontium... but only in place of calcium.

If it isn't used as a cofactor the only other thing an organism would use it for is for skeletal growth. Now there is definitely evidence that calciferous corals have strontium in their skeletons, but quite frankly the presence of this element and the importance of this element are completely overshadowed by calcium(in this case calcium carbonate). Doing water changes honestly should be more than sufficient in maintaining levels unless you have lots of calciferous critters.

If you are coming across creatures that appear to have stunted growth and there is no other explanation than "it could be due to a lack of strontium" then you might consider dosing some. If this isn't the case though, I have never come across any compelling evidence to add strontium. In all likelihood, the strontium in your tank is being consumed not because it is a vital nutrient, but rather it is so similar to calcium chemically that it just gets sucked in in place of calcium.

The most likely places to find strontium are skeletal features, calcified shells, and calcified spicules(some soft corals, some sponges). Now strontium is larger than calcium, so it's incorporation into a skeletal semi-crystalline matrix would definitely change the dimensions... but again there isn't any evidence to suggest higher or lower levels are better or worse... more than likely you would just see subtle differences in density of some skeletal elements.

Edit...
I did find some studies where marine organisms were grown in a total lack of strontium... in a total absence these creatures had slightly distorted skeletal elements, but were perfectly healthy and able to live normal lives. This again is in the total absence of strontium, which is not the case in your tank.

From http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1183945&highlight=strontium

 

[glassbox-design]

i've tried it and havent seen any noticeable effect. the only thing i dose is kalk and potassium iodide which i find has a noticeable effect on colors, particularly my purple a.nana.

i remember a discussion in the chem forum with randy re: increased coraline algae growth from strontium could actually be from toxicity to the element and trying to expell it via growth...

not all salt is ready to use, most salts need additional cal, alk, or mag to get it to where it needs to be. imo you should get the leves where they need to be in the mixing tub, not after you add the fresh sw to the tank.

 

[Pufferpunk]

That's what I thought. How do I figure how much to add to the mixing tub?

 

[PSam]

I adjust salt mix for Mg + pH only. I use Jose's calculator for Mg adjustment on new saltwater. Then I can OD the water no problem, as no livestock. I don't do any adjustments on Ca / kh, RC is pretty good, and I have auto kalk topoff + 2 part dosing, so my levels don't vary too much in that dept.

 

[glassbox-design]

a good test kit and jdiecks calculator.

i really like seachem reefsalt because i usually dont have to adjust a thing...ocassionaly it needs a little help with alk and mag.

 

[jski711]

as much as i hate the brown residue from reef crystals my mag has been at 1300 forever, i never add it at all. also the calcium and alk seem to be very stable in every batch. just hate that brown film i get when i mix it.

 

[driftin]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10600881#post10600881 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Flint&Eric
i've tried it and havent seen any noticeable effect. the only thing i dose is kalk and potassium iodide which i find has a noticeable effect on colors, particularly my purple a.nana.

Do you test the iodide regularly, or just add set amount regularly? I have some Kent Marine solution but have never tried it.