I have always just trusted that my corals get what they need from regular water changes using a good, quality salt mix. Would you recommend that I use a trace element supplement? I've been doing this for a long time, and I am having success; should I mess with a good thing and introduce trace elements to potentially help promote better colors or better polyp extension? Is it really necessary? Pros and cons? I'm just wondering how everyone feels about this topic.
Supplementing trace elements
- Thread starter DrewCam
- Start date
reefsahoy
I can see thru you!
I started Red Sea trace colors and have seen huge improvement in colors. I started at 1/2 dose and now up to recommended amount. I'd do it again and I'll definitely continue using it. I was doing 10% water change every week and now I'm probably going to do it every other week.
plyle02
Active member
For this reason, I do like using a balling method, the science is figured out, and you simply dose equal parts of each mix. Dialing it it can be tricky, but the trace is delivered at the proper rate as to the consumption of main minerals. Otherwise you can use different trace from different companies. This really depends on coral size and quantity IMO, as for many, simply doing consistent water changes with a quality salt is sufficient. Anecdotally, is said that certain trace minerals if dosed correctly, help to enhance certain colors. Cheers 
If you are having success then do not change anything. Many-a-failure were later realized to have started with "I just invented a problem to solve."
I also just change water with good salt (IO) and my trace elements are always fine. I do supplement the big elements with CaRx, which also adds in some trace stuff.
If you are really curious if you are doing OK, send in a ICP test.
I also just change water with good salt (IO) and my trace elements are always fine. I do supplement the big elements with CaRx, which also adds in some trace stuff.
If you are really curious if you are doing OK, send in a ICP test.
For this reason, I do like using a balling method, the science is figured out, and you simply dose equal parts of each mix. Dialing it it can be tricky, but the trace is delivered at the proper rate as to the consumption of main minerals. Otherwise you can use different trace from different companies. This really depends on coral size and quantity IMO, as for many, simply doing consistent water changes with a quality salt is sufficient. Anecdotally, is said that certain trace minerals if dosed correctly, help to enhance certain colors. Cheers
I have been scratching my head about this lately as well. I agree with what you said.
The question that, i have right now is:
I am using ESV 2 part Bionic. They advertise their product as, already containing trace elements in proportions present in the sea salt. I was thinking of using fauna marine trace supplements along with it. Will I be doubling up on my trace elements by doing so. Is anyone using that combination.
There is a video on BRS, where they mix balling trace supplements with BRS 2 part and I know people who are using it with Randy's 2 part...... there it makes perfect sense as both brs and Randy's recipes are flat calcium and bicarb that is not fortified with any other trace elements.
Not sure about the usage with ESV Bionic 2 part!
What do you guys think?
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It depends what they are and how much you add. Not all elements get used in balance, even if you add them as such. Surplus of some is fine and yet others can be harmful.
The main ones that get used in balance are in hard coral formation. Melting dead hard corals mostly puts them back in balance, but you can get out of whack over time with a CaRx as well.
A HUGE safety net to dosing without testing is doing water changes to remove excess, but this is stopping now... but if you are going to change a lot of water, then you don't have to dose too much. Most of the no-water-change-but-dose-our-system methods are fairly new (less than a few years) and it will be many more for any long-term observations to be made.
Most of the no-water-change folks that I know don't dose anything but the Big-3 and do actually perform a single large water change once a year, or so, to reset.
The main ones that get used in balance are in hard coral formation. Melting dead hard corals mostly puts them back in balance, but you can get out of whack over time with a CaRx as well.
A HUGE safety net to dosing without testing is doing water changes to remove excess, but this is stopping now... but if you are going to change a lot of water, then you don't have to dose too much. Most of the no-water-change-but-dose-our-system methods are fairly new (less than a few years) and it will be many more for any long-term observations to be made.
Most of the no-water-change folks that I know don't dose anything but the Big-3 and do actually perform a single large water change once a year, or so, to reset.
reefmutt
Active member
I think you’ll find quite a divided community on this one.
There is no one here that can tell you one is better than the other.. it seems it works for some and not for others.
If you are having success, I wouldn’t start.. it’s a bit like climbing down the rabbit hole.. you try something and it changes this, so try something else and it changes that, so you try something else and then you begin to wonder if it’s helping or not and if adding something or removing something will help
Two reefers with absolutely stunning reef tanks who don’t dose anything are watchguy123 and Big E - off the top of my head..
If you are happy with your tank, don’t mess.. if you aren’t completely happy, try to approach additives with a scientific mind and only change one thing at a time.. take notes on changes and give each change at least 2 months to manifest Israel’s in your reef.
I think what gets many in trouble is that they try too many things and they don’t give the tank enough time to fully react to the changes. It can really take months to see the effects of adding/ changing something.
And I say this as a long time additive user. I’ve experimented a lot and I like my results but they aren’t better than many tanks that don’t dose anything..
I’m not even sure what I add is making a difference but I ain’t messing with my success..
There is no one here that can tell you one is better than the other.. it seems it works for some and not for others.
If you are having success, I wouldn’t start.. it’s a bit like climbing down the rabbit hole.. you try something and it changes this, so try something else and it changes that, so you try something else and then you begin to wonder if it’s helping or not and if adding something or removing something will help
Two reefers with absolutely stunning reef tanks who don’t dose anything are watchguy123 and Big E - off the top of my head..
If you are happy with your tank, don’t mess.. if you aren’t completely happy, try to approach additives with a scientific mind and only change one thing at a time.. take notes on changes and give each change at least 2 months to manifest Israel’s in your reef.
I think what gets many in trouble is that they try too many things and they don’t give the tank enough time to fully react to the changes. It can really take months to see the effects of adding/ changing something.
And I say this as a long time additive user. I’ve experimented a lot and I like my results but they aren’t better than many tanks that don’t dose anything..
I’m not even sure what I add is making a difference but I ain’t messing with my success..
plyle02
Active member
Yes, I see and this makes sense
I would suggest an ICP analysis with what you are currently doing. If you see for example, low concentrations on a specific trace element or heavy metal, you can address accordingly. I use AF Comp123 DIY formula. Personally, I prefer lower concentrations of the Comp Strong formulas added. I usually make my balling mix at 1/2 ratio on heavy metals, and 2/3 on the trace(4 separate bottles). Personally I do not want to force the issue, as I do not routinely send off my water samples for analysis. CheersI agree!
I think since the ICP analysis has become more readily available, the hobby has started moving in a new/different direction.
Now you see more and more hobbyist shying away from water changes and instead supplementing the essential ingredients of the sea water and at the same time have a barometer (icp testing) to see where one stands on the way.
Hobby grade test kits are useless.
I have to say, "œNo water change method "œ is still a slippery slope to climb, especially if you are new to the hobby or don't understand the concept fully.
So the two routes to success the way I look at it are:
1) Alkalinity/Calcium supplementations + aggressive/efficient filtration + Regular water changes
OR
2) Alkalinity/Calcium Supplementation + Aggressive/efficient Filtration + Regular Trace element supplementation + ICP testing
Take your pick!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
I think since the ICP analysis has become more readily available, the hobby has started moving in a new/different direction.
Now you see more and more hobbyist shying away from water changes and instead supplementing the essential ingredients of the sea water and at the same time have a barometer (icp testing) to see where one stands on the way.
Hobby grade test kits are useless.
I have to say, "œNo water change method "œ is still a slippery slope to climb, especially if you are new to the hobby or don't understand the concept fully.
So the two routes to success the way I look at it are:
1) Alkalinity/Calcium supplementations + aggressive/efficient filtration + Regular water changes
OR
2) Alkalinity/Calcium Supplementation + Aggressive/efficient Filtration + Regular Trace element supplementation + ICP testing
Take your pick!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
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