Bloody hell where do I start...............
I have been arguing this over in my head for weeks (i will insert months in here as i have been literally trying for months to find solid research and information on this to support my theories/findings and finding it hard) trying to find a way to quantify and explain the benefits of trace element dosing, and when you should use them, and also, what elements influence what colours/processes.
First of all let me say one thing, although there have been studies showing some of the elements needed for certain colours, some of the trace elements included in some mixes dont have "solid" research supporting their use, so far as i can find anyway, at least at this point in this post. As im sure this will take me quite a few days (again ill insert months in here) to write, I'm assuming ill find more and more information, and by all means if people have any links they would like to share please feel free to post them, i would like to read further into the subject.
So first I'm going to start with when you should be dosing trace elements, and what level of dosing you should be doing depending on your requirements, tank type and time constraints and goals.
So firstly, WHEN:
Well, this is a little hard to quantify, but in general, you can dose some level of trace elements in nearly any tank, but the amount will differ. In a higher nutrient tank (nitrate over 4ppm and phosphate over 0.1ppm) an all round trace element supplement and maybe an amino acid supplement will do fine in most cases, just because the corals are not coloured up fantastically because of the level of Zooxanthelle in them from the higher nutrient levels, does not mean that they are not using these trace elements.
In some cases, in higher nutrient systems, whether the higher nutrient is on purpose, in order to increase coral growth, or not intentional, but is not a huge concern (say a tank with mushrooms, soft corals etc), water changes may, and I stress MAY, be enough to sustain them (trace element levels that is), if you feed a good varied diet of foods, to both your fish and corals and your water changes are large enough and frequent enough. But, without testing at least the main elements (iron, iodine, potassium) to ensure these are in check, along with your other elements, and your using a good quality salt mix, then there is really no way of knowing for certain if water changes are going to suffice to replace and maintain all elements in the aquarium remotely important for sustained growth and colour. And even then, trace elements generally cant be tested for, so a general trace element supplement may still be needed. And in most cases is beneficial.
In Low nutrient systems, it is definitely beneficial. In low nutrient systems, although you are still doing some level of water changes, the amount is usually, not always, but usually, a lot less. and so the amount of trace elements added at water change time is minimal.
These trace elements are in TRACE amounts, and therefore they are used up very quickly, being incorporated into tissue of corals and lifeforms like fish, phytoplankton etc, being passed onto fish and coral in turn. And therefore, as you can imagine, Trace elements would be used up quickly.
This, coupled with the fact that at low nutrient levels, the browning associated with corals, or at least fading of colour being held at high nutrient levels (because of the higher level of zooxanthelle due to increased photosynthesis) is not as apparent or intense.
Therefore, the natural pigment of coral is able to show through, and the colour pigments of the individual coral can be seen. This of course means that the chemicals and trace elements included in colouration pigments in coral tissue need to be present in order to intensify those pigments. If they are lacking, the colours can become dull, and washed out. If they are in proper levels, the colours will usually be more intense, if they are in excess, you can sometimes intensify the levels of pigmentation and colouration dramatically.
What if they are too much? well i have seen some not so great, and then catastrophic misuse of trace elements, right from receding tissue, to full blown polyp and zoox bailout. so you can use too much.
Trace elements are exactly that, they are in TRACE amounts. Yes they can be beneficial, and are great tools for manipulating health and colour, but just because it says add this much much of this on the bottle, doesn't mean you should.
when starting to add trace elements, read about it and research it. Most good manufacturers, even if it is a proprietary mix with no ingredients list, will still give you a good background on the supplement itself, Brightwell Aquatics Koral Color comes to mind here (and i know this stuff works), but this doesn't mean you should dumping in the recommended dose straight away. And don't you dare let me hear anyone yelling snake oil!!!!!!!!!!! at least not yet......
Even if it does recommend a starting dose, if it isn't say 1/4 of the end dose they recommend, then go with 1/5th to 1/4 of the dose and continue this for at least 3 weeks. And remember daily dosing will ALWAYS be better, for any element.
After this, and through monitoring your corals (obviously assuming that your nutrient levels are low and warrant specific trace element dosing then you can start to increase if you need to, to get better colouration. This doesn't necessarily mean your dose rate is going to reach the recommended level, you may find that for example, a dose rate of a little over half that of recommended, starts to darken up some of your corals, a good indication that you need to back off a bit.
Use your corals a guide, obviously, as biomass of corals and size of colonies increases, so will your demand for the trace element in question, its always going to change, so keep on top of it.
Then after you get to comfortable place with one trace element, maybe start on another.
Two things i will say about trace element dosing
1. PICK A BLOODY SYSTEM AND STICK TO IT!!!!!!!!!!!
I have seen many hip shooters (yes ive tried it also) try to mix different trace element programs trying to re-invent the wheel, there are reasons why companies formulate the trace elements they make they way they do, they are made to complement each other, you start mixing them, and you can get too much of one element and not enough of the other, sometimes with VERY bad results.
2. Don't expect to see overnight results, and don't expect to get results if you don't follow the manufacturers instructions.
3. (yes i only said there was two but I'm on a rant so stick with me) If you tank is not ready, and all elements of husbandry are not in line, do not expect to see results, or for this to be a magical supplement to solve your problems. Coloration through trace elements, will only be achieved at an enhanced rate, at low nutrient levels. At low nutrient levels you need to feed more in order to supply more nutrition to the coral as the amount of food they are getting from photosynthesis is limited. With increased feeding, you need a higher level of flow to carry food too, and waste away from the coral, without properly sized filtration to handle the increased food input, nutrient levels will go up. Its all about balance and perfecting every part of the system and environment. Its common sense, but lets face it, these issues are things that alot of people overlook, including me sometimes.
These are lifeforms in a glass box, without constant replenishment of elements from the ocean, without constant flow and the best lighting (the sun), its not as simple as throwing coral and fish in there and expecting to get the best out of them.
So, this will be the first post in a series of posts in regards to trace element dosing ill try cover one at a time, breaking it down and providing solid information, rather than pulling my hair out trying to do it all in one go.
I have to give credit to Chris for this, thanks mate, damn well would have killed me if i tried to do it all in one go i recon.
So, next post, will start with Iron as a trace element, what its used by, how its used, what colours it effects, etc etc.
So until next time, a parting piece of advice, DON'T drink skimmate, it doesn't taste at all good.
