Wich trace element are really important and what they do?

Superlightman · May 29, 2023

Hello Randy,
some say they arr needed ,some not,from your experience,which trace element are really important ? With which you see some changes, and which should we dose? And from which one you not saw any improvement?
Maybe you can tell use from those who are useful, what they do?

Randy Holmes-Farley · May 29, 2023

There is no question that trace elements of many types are critical for all organisms we keep. Iron, manganese, vanadium, etc.

The only question is whether any of them need supplementing beyond foods and water changes, and if so, which ones.

That's a substantial point of debate, and may vary considerably tank to tank based on additions and consumption both being different.

Asking what they do is really a red herring. Their are lots of biochemical processes that require them which are of little or no intertest to most reefers. The wild dreams of supplement makes that this one boosts greens and this one boosts reds is nonsense, IMO.

Randy Holmes-Farley · May 29, 2023

I dosed iron and silicate. ICP suggested some others may have been useful to dose, but I never got around to extended tries with them (manganese, for example).

EricR · May 29, 2023

Just a thought since this is a huge topic:
Maybe get an ICP test done and focus on those that are out of recommended ranges.

Fauna Marin ICP puts results on a website where you can drill down into each to read about what each does (is used for) and symptoms/consequences that might be expected if out of range.
*I assume the same is true for many/most other ICP tests as well (but just guessing)

Superlightman · May 30, 2023

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
I dosed iron and silicate. ICP suggested some others may have been useful to dose, but I never got around to extended tries with them (manganese, for example).

Fir what you use silicate? Most people try more to get rid of it?
What about iodine?
There is a chart for the trace element in seawater?

Superlightman · May 30, 2023

EricR said:
Just a thought since this is a huge topic:
Maybe get an ICP test done and focus on those that are out of recommended ranges.

Fauna Marin ICP puts results on a website where you can drill down into each to read about what each does (is used for) and symptoms/consequences that might be expected if out of range.
*I assume the same is true for many/most other ICP tests as well (but just guessing)

Yes, but ad it is their business to sell bottles I not trust them

Randy Holmes-Farley · May 30, 2023

Superlightman said:
Fir what you use silicate? Most people try more to get rid of it?
What about iodine?
There is a chart for the trace element in seawater?

I was encouraging sponges and diatoms.

One can know the concentration in natural seawater, but that does not tell you what levels are needed nor what levels are optimal. Many trace elements also come in different chemical forms with different bioavailability. Icp does not help with that issue, and I put little faith in their recommended levels.