I have a 120G mixed reef. 2xRadeon Pro 4 lights. 40 gallon sump/refugium. Bubble-Magus skimmer rated to 220g. My sps coloration and polyp extension on some corals is not great. I feed reef snow, reef roids, and oyster feast a couple times per week. I dose 2 part B-Ionic daily. What else should I be adding? I've heard Iodine? Any other overal suggestions?
What trace elements should I add
- Thread starter GoPhish
- Start date
billdogg
Well-known member
I'm doing 10 gallons every 2 weeks. I know it's not enough. From my understanding I should be doing about 15 gallons per week. Is there any substitute for this? Or do I just need to bite the bullet
Bpb
New member
Water change percentages aren't an exact science and you tend to learn what your tank and corals need as you go. 10% weekly is a good starting point but some need more and some can get by with less.
If it's an individual element or compound it is Illadvised to dose randomly according to a bottle instructions (like, iodine, dose 2 drops daily for instance). Not all tanks will have the same iodine level or uptake so a flat rate can kill a tank or not be enough. You really should be testing anything you dose. That includes food and coral nutrition products like amino acids. While there's not an amino acid test kit out there (scientifically that doesn't even make sense), you can determine the value based on your residual dissolved nutrition content. If your tank is a nutrient bomb loaded with nitrogen and phosphorous, amino acids are likely just going to get skimmed off and/or pollute the tank. You won't see the color or growth benefits.
You should do an ICP test if your regular maintenance and feeding are stable and consistent yet you still have poor growth and colors. That will tell you if there's a specific trace deficiency or surplus that could be causing a problem.
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If it's an individual element or compound it is Illadvised to dose randomly according to a bottle instructions (like, iodine, dose 2 drops daily for instance). Not all tanks will have the same iodine level or uptake so a flat rate can kill a tank or not be enough. You really should be testing anything you dose. That includes food and coral nutrition products like amino acids. While there's not an amino acid test kit out there (scientifically that doesn't even make sense), you can determine the value based on your residual dissolved nutrition content. If your tank is a nutrient bomb loaded with nitrogen and phosphorous, amino acids are likely just going to get skimmed off and/or pollute the tank. You won't see the color or growth benefits.
You should do an ICP test if your regular maintenance and feeding are stable and consistent yet you still have poor growth and colors. That will tell you if there's a specific trace deficiency or surplus that could be causing a problem.
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You can buy it on amazon, tests 32 elements in your water. I recommend the Triton one. The results will tell you exactly what's going on in your water, and give you information on what to do if need be. I had one done recently, and couldn't be happier after dosing with the depleted elements. Tank is looking great again.
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RioReefr
New member
I don't really care what anyone says, but I am big believer in adding Vitamins/Amino Acids to the tank. I first started using Reef Plus, but then switched over to AquaVitro Fuel (also by SeaChem). I take a 1-mL syringe and squirt that amount into the tank daily.
Look up the BRS TV video by Randy that talks about adding amino acids.
I get great polyp extension and coloration on all my corals ever since doing this regimen. I don't know all the elements, but you can look it up.
I replace my carbon (albeit a very small amount) every week.
My return pump is 10x overall water volume. 2 horizontal facing 20x water-volume wave makers.
Clean water, good flow, good lighting and proper nourishment....I use the NLS Marine 1mm pellets, Coral Frenzy, grated frozen shrimp and the aforementioned "Fuel" (Aminos). In general, I like the SeaChem AquaVitro products.
Look up the BRS TV video by Randy that talks about adding amino acids.
I get great polyp extension and coloration on all my corals ever since doing this regimen. I don't know all the elements, but you can look it up.
I replace my carbon (albeit a very small amount) every week.
My return pump is 10x overall water volume. 2 horizontal facing 20x water-volume wave makers.
Clean water, good flow, good lighting and proper nourishment....I use the NLS Marine 1mm pellets, Coral Frenzy, grated frozen shrimp and the aforementioned "Fuel" (Aminos). In general, I like the SeaChem AquaVitro products.
mattgumaer
New member
I’m using Red Sea trace colors right now. It definitely seems to be helping. The dosing amount is based on your tank’s calcium consumption. Theoretically, if the trace elements are consumed at a consistent rate relative to calcium, this should work since you’re indirectly keeping track of their depletion by keeping track of calcium consumption.
Matt
Matt
earwicker7
New member
I thought so too, then I did a Triton test for the fun of it, and although my "main" parameters were spot on, there were trace elements which were very low. I added them in, and have noticed a marked improvement within a few weeks.... there are two frags in my tank which had absolutely refused to do anything other than stay ugly brown for over six months, and they are now finally coloring up.
I was doing 10% weekly.
