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Reef Tank Trace Elements
Last updated on November 17th, 2023
Reef Tank Trace Elements
Trace Elements are the barely detectable elements that make up roughly 0.01% of the aquarium water. The trace elements that affect coral growth and health include Iodine, Iron, Molybdenum, Vanadium, Nickel, Copper, Cobalt, Zinc, Manganese, Selenium and a variety of others. These trace elements' concentration vary greatly from location to location and are found in such small concentrations, it's difficult to both measure and identify an ideal range. However, Trace Elements for Reef Tank coloration is an important topic for anyone keeping coral, especially SPS.
How to Measure Reef Tank Trace Elements
As mentioned before, it is quite difficult to measure reef tank trace elements due to the low concentration. The most available option for measuring reef tank trace elements is by using an ICP Test.
Recommended ICP Test Kits
Unfortunately, there is not much in terms of home test kits for trace elements. So to know how much to dose can be mildly difficult. Essentially, you will need to send in an ICP test, and then wait a while (2 - 4 weeks minimum) and send in another. As long as you keep track of how much of each reef tank trace element is added to your aquarium in that time, you can get a rough idea as to how much more or less you should add of each. If you run this test every 3 or 4 months, you will be able to keep up with the changes your tank undergoes as you add or remove coral, as well as while coral grow!
Which Reef Tank Trace Elements do I need to Add?
If only it were that easy... The only way to REALLY know what Reef Tank Trace Elements you need to add to your tank, is to run an ICP test an see which trace elements are depleted or declining. There are some trace element systems, such as the KZ Products Coral System. This will likely get you plenty close enough, especially if you are doing regular water changes. However if you want the best results, you will need to identify what your tank needs and edd these reef tank trace elements separately.
What do Reef Tank Trace Elements Do?
If you can be successful without adding any trace elements, what do these reef tank trace elements do anyway? In short, they help with coral coloration. The coral absorb these trace elements and it helps with their coloration. But interestingly enough, different trace elements affect different coral colors, skeletal calcification, and general health of the coral.
Now let's look at some of the individual reef tank trace elements. Much of the information below came from combining a few different sources to try and identify the benefits of each trace element. As a disclaimer, try to do more research if you can, and test all of the parameters you can before adding more. Many trace elements can be toxic in large doses, and most of the information below is a "best guess" at how it affects the coral as there is not a lot of information to back this up. Keep this in mind as you read.
Reef Tank Trace Elements - Potassium
Potassium plays a role in the transport of nutrients within corals' soft tissue. Additionally, potassium promotes the general health of SPS coral and promote a positive bacterial environment.
Potassium May assist with red/green/blue coloration
Reef Tank Trace Elements - Strontium
Strontium plays a role coral skeleton calcification, and general coral health. Strontium is one of the reef tank trace elements responsible for stronger coral skeleton structures as well as coraline algae formation.
Strontium May assist with red/pink/purple coloration
Reef Tank Trace Elements - Iron
Iron plays a role in the transport of oxygen in the fish's blood, as well as affects the reaction of light in coral and algae, and removing nitrogen from the water. When iron levels are elevated in combination with high nitrate and phosphates, it can lead to algae outbreaks. Iron both precipitates quickly, and may be removed by the protein skimmer. Which is another reason why you should consiter dosing it.
Iron May assist with green/yellow coloration
Reef Tank Trace Elements - Iodine
Iodine is a well known reef tank trace element. Iodine can be found in gorgonian corals and some stony corals, but its purpose has never been truly identified. Iodine has been mentioned as helping molting invertebrates, benefiting growth of corals, sponges, and macro algae, reduce the bacterial load that stress coral, and even act as an antiseptic to prevent coral bleaching. However, none of this seems to have much proof to back it up. Making Iodine the "multivitamin of reef tank trace elements".
Iodine May assist with pink coral coloration
Reef Tank Trace Elements - Chromium
Chromium plays a role coral skeleton calcification, and general coral health. Strontium is one of the reef tank trace elements responsible for stronger coral skeleton structures as well as coraline algae formation.
Reef Tank Trace Elements - Molybdenum
Molybdenum is said to help with plant growth as well as playing a role in converting nitrates to nitrogen gas. Molybdenum is also said to help the growth of zooxanthellae in coral.
Molybdenum *MAY* assist in general color vibrance. Not much is known about the effects of Molybdenum in the reef tank.
Reef Tank Trace Elements - Zinc
Zinc is known to play a role in the protein production and general growth rate of coral. Zinc is also one of the reef tank trace elements said to have an effect on general coral florecense.
Zinc May assist with green/yellow coloration
Reef Tank Trace Elements - Vanadium
Vanadium as a reef tank trace element is shown to be beneficial for the general growth of SPS and LPS corals as well as sponges and tunicates.
Vanadium May assist with green/yellow coloration
Reef Tank Trace Elements - Manganese
Manganese as a reef tank trace element can be associated with the general health of LPS coral as well as promote polyp extension.
Manganese May assist with green/yellow coloration
Reef Tank Trace Elements - Boron
Boron is one the reef tank trace elements that plays a role in pH stabilization, general SPS and LPS health, as well as coral coloration.
Boron May assist with red/pink/purple coloration
Reef Tank Trace Elements - Bromine
Bromine is one the reef tank trace elements that plays a role in general SPS and LPS health, as well as coral coloration.
Bromine May assist with red/pink/purple/blue/green coloration
Reef Tank Trace Elements - Sulphate
Sulphate is one the reef tank trace elements that plays a role in general SPS and LPS health, as well as coral coloration.
Reef Tank Trace Elements - Fluorine
Fluorine is one the reef tank trace elements that plays a role in general SPS and LPS health, as well as coral coloration.
Fluorine May assist with yellow/blue/green coloration
Reef Tank Trace Elements - Nickel
Nickel is one the reef tank trace elements that plays a role in general SPS and LPS health, as well as coral coloration.
Nickel May assist with yellow/green coloration
Reef Tank Trace Elements - Lithium
Lithium is one the reef tank trace elements used for general reef tank health.
Reef Tank Trace Elements - Cobalt
Cobalt is one the reef tank trace elements that plays a role in general SPS and LPS health, as well as coral coloration.
Cobalt May assist with yellow/green coloration
Reef Tank Trace Element Additives
There are a number of trace element supplements on the market, most of which are combined to supplement specific components and/or colors. If you're looking for some easy to follow methods to just add an appropriate mix of these reef tank trace elements, you may look into trying:
- KZ Products Coral System
- Red Sea Coral Colors ABCD Supplements
- Brightwell Aquatics Replenish Liquid Trace Elements
However, if you are looking to properly control trace elements, it's best to run a Triton ICP Test, and then correct the individual trace elements with Triton Individual Trace Elements.
Conclusion
Overall, reef tank trace elements are like the multivitamin of the aquarium world. Though it is difficult to prove the individual role of each one, they are all known to play a role of some sort in the overall health or the reef tank. As such, It's worth getting an ICP test and setting your reef tank up for better coloration and growth!
References
- Reef Builders - Using Trace Elements In Saltwater Aquariums
- Tidal Gardens - Reef Aquarium Trace Elements
- Triton Reagents
About the Author
John Krenzer
John is a Software Engineer with a passion for saltwater aquariums, as well as the founder and president of Reef Stable. He started in the aquarium hobby as a child with a 20 gallon freshwater aquarium. His interest in aquarium life grew and in 2008, John set up his first saltwater aquarium.
Today, John maintains an over 300 gallon reef tank system, consisting of a 120g reef and a 210g reef. These large tanks are contained within the same system, sharing a sump as a means to reduce total maintenance and increase total water volume.
John writes articles for the blog as a means to learn about more reef aquarium topics. These articles act as a reference for the readers as well as himself. John updates these articles frequently to provide additional information or make corrections as new information becomes available.
If you would like to request an article, tank tour article, or to collaborate, let me know via the Contact Me Page!
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