Trace elements debate

[reef guy 56]

This tread is for reefers who are opinionated and don’t really know what they are talking about. (on trace elements.). Not the reef chemistry guy.

 

[lapin]

I call it “bro science”

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

My opinions are here:

Randy's thoughts on trace elements

Randy's thoughts on trace elements in reef aquaria.

www.reef2reef.com

Randy's Elements to Dose

In a previous article I discussed my thoughts on trace elements https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/randys-thoughts-on-trace-elements.951/ This article expands on that discussion by providing specific guidance for all elements one might dose. First...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[reef guy 56]

My opinions are here:

Randy's thoughts on trace elements

Randy's thoughts on trace elements in reef aquaria.

www.reef2reef.com

Randy's Elements to Dose

In a previous article I discussed my thoughts on trace elements https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/randys-thoughts-on-trace-elements.951/ This article expands on that discussion by providing specific guidance for all elements one might dose. First...

www.reef2reef.com

I’m not making fun of you. I’m just ………well you’ll see what I’m doing. You know about that.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I’m not making fun of you. I’m just ……… you’ll see what I’m doing. You know about that.

I was not concerned about that.

 

[reef guy 56]

Oh

 

[Dburr1014]

This tread is for reefers who are opinionated and don’t really know what they are talking about. (on trace elements.). Not the reef chemistry guy.

So what do you mean?

I don't dose any Trace elements, I do a 1% water change a day. Figured that might keep some of my traces in the tank.

 

[reef guy 56]

So what do you mean?

I don't dose any Trace elements, I do a 1% water change a day. Figured that might keep some of my traces in the tank.

I have no idea.

 

[reef guy 56]

In my opinion trace don’t really matter as much people say.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

In my opinion trace don’t really matter to much.

Ok, on what do you base that hypothesis?

 

[Treefer32]

I love this post, I've read as much as I can on trace elements and respect what everyone is doing. I dose based on the fact I don't do water changes and My corals look "prettier" when I'm dosing something. I also have first hand experience with the fact that my algae turf scrubber actually bleaches (All algae on the canvas turns pure bleach white as snow). I asked around what would cause that. I thought I had introduced something toxic to hair algae. (If there is something that toxic to hair algae I want it bottled so I can sell it! )

I asked the maker of the algae scrubber and he said he's had a few people report that and it may be tied to a deficiency. I guess to eliminate hair algae, simply deprive one's tank of trace elements.

It's happened a couple times in the last 2 years where within 24 hours all algae on the screen just turns pure white and it doesn't grow. It scrapes off so easy that I'm pretty sure it's dead.

That said, since being religious about dosing trace elements, I haven't had that bleaching occur since. Plus, my coral colors all look amazing. I don't measure trace elements, but I give measured doses of them.

I think the argument at this point should be - is trace element dosing necessary for a healthy reef yes / no?

If it's healthy to do so, then we can argue the forms of trace elements until we're blue in the face. What I'm doing is working for me so far. I would love cheaper options, but, if it's not broken don't fix it.

 

[topjimmy]

Do they matter, probably. Can we reliably test for and dose to whatever level is considered correct, I doubt it.

 

[Pod_01]

In my opinion trace don’t really matter to much.

Sooo… Is there some reason or first hand experience for this opinion?
The statement needs some meat and potatoes…

For example I have done zero water changes, i don’t do any two part and I don’t feed the corals or fish and look all the corals are growing like weeds.
I like to see some pictures.

Otherwise it is silly statement, all living things require some trace elements…

 

[Lavey29]

Do they matter, probably. Can we reliably test for and dose to whatever level is considered correct, I doubt it.

Therein lies the dilemma. If you do weekly water changes then no dose required. If you don't do regular water changes then dosing is required but how much of each.

 

[reef guy 56]

I’m saying that a buzz word doesn’t make it the most important thing in the hobby I will say that trace is important but I think it’s made more important than it is.

 

[Pod_01]

I’m saying that a buzz word doesn’t make it the most important thing in the hobby I will say that trace is important but I think it’s made more important than it is.

Ok I get it now, in that case I agree.

The most important is Phosphate. Try to run your reef tank with zero phosphate and I bet it will not work.
Next Alk level, try it with zero or swing it up and down…
Next down balanced trace elements…

 

[Troylee]

Ok I get it now, in that case I agree.

The most important is Phosphate. Try to run your reef tank with zero phosphate and I bet it will not work.
Next Alk level, try it with zero or swing it up and down…
Next down balanced trace elements…

Stable alk is boring… I like to keep my acros guessing lol…

 

[areefer01]

In my opinion trace don’t really matter as much people say.

I’m saying that a buzz word doesn’t make it the most important thing in the hobby I will say that trace is important but I think it’s made more important than it is.

So which one is it? First you say in your opinion trace don't really matter then a few posts later you say they are important.

Do you currently keep a display? How long as it been running and how long have you been in the hobby.

 

[reef guy 56]

I think that trace elements are over hyped they are important but I think that they are not as important as people say.

 

[Pod_01]

Stable alk is boring… I like to keep my acros guessing lol…

That is not so bad…. mine is also not flat and I had 1dKh swings.

Brings up another question, how critical is the alk stability in our boxes?
Or what alk swings are detrimental?