Advanced Testing and Trace Elements by greg.chernoffStarting out in the aquarium hobby, most people simply buy test strips (which I do not recommend whatsoever) or “master” liquid test kits. While these liquid tritration tests are pretty accurate, it can be extremely difficult to decipher color charts and differentiate between ever so slightly differing shades of yellow, green, and red. This leads to frustration and inaccurate test results, and may end up effecting coral or invertebrate health should a particular element be off. As we get more involved with the hobby, and want to keep more difficult corals, it may be time to invest into more accurate, easy to understand test kits, and possibly start testing some trace elements. Colorimeters for Trace Elements These handheld testers are small pod-like devices that you insert a test vial into. Directions are very easy to follow, as they tell you how much tank water, reagents, etc. to use. Results are displayed on a digital screen, so no guess work is involved. If used correctly, these tests are extremely accurate and much easier to use than typical tritations. Hanna Instruments offers a wide range of these handheld devices, including basics such as calcium, alkalinity, and phosphate, along with trace element tests such as silica, iron, iodine, nickel, and bromine. Lab Testing If you don’t want to actually perform easily over a dozen tests yourself, your life just got easier. Some companies, such as ATI and Triton, have developed tests in their lab that you can send a sample to and receive your results in under a week. These tests are extremely in-depth, and include all important trace elements, and even heavy metal contaminant parameters. I highly recommend these tests every year or so, more often if you are experiencing problems such as coral bleaching or algae blooms that seem to have no real cause. It could reveal that an often overlooked element is off in your tank. If you are keeping corals such as Acropora, Montipora, or Chalices that often lose color in many tanks, these tests are a good idea as little-known traces such as iodine and potassium play a large role in coral color, growth, and overall health. [generalhelp] Probes Some tests are simply a device or probe that is dipped into the aquarium to receive a reading. Most commonly, this is a pH or temperature probe that immediately gives you a digital reading. Some companies like Ice Cap have also produced instant salinity readers that are even easier to use than refractometers as they are simply held in the water for a few seconds. Calcium, ORP, and alkalinity probes are also being made by companies such as Pinpoint and Seneye. These are usually the most expensive option, but are the most reliable way to always know your parameters and if anything needs to be corrected. If you are able to save up some money and want to be able to automate your tank for the most stable environment possible, I highly recommend these monitoring units. Important Trace Elements to Test for Here is a list of important parameters to test for if you are keeping more advanced corals, or just want better color and growth rates. Strontium- This is a major ingredient in aragonite. Aragonite is a mineral excreted by corals, worms, and bivalves. This fact, coupled with much faster growth rate in test aquariums dosed with strontium shows the importance of strontium in healthy coral and invert growth. Boron- Helps maintain pH and has been shown to increase growth of coralline algae and excretion of aragonite by corals and inverts. Also enhances red, yellow, and orange colors within corals. Advanced Testing and Trace Elements Potassium- Tests show that tanks with potassium dosing see enhanced growth rates and better blue and purple coloration in clams and corals (especially Montipora and Acropora). Iron- In tanks without iron, corals appear pale. Green, red, and most other colors are all intensely enhanced when iron dosing is used. It also helps oxygen transport in the respiratory system of fish. Iodine- Shown to help macro algae and sponge growth. It may also be an antiseptic for coral and help them fight off diseases like tissue necrosis. A Quick note about Calcium, Alkalinity, and Magnesium While beginner articles review the proper levels and some basic tests hobbyists use to measure these variables, it is important for us to understand how the three interact with each other. This further knowledge helps us understand why our parameters need to be kept constant and at the correct levels instead of simply doing it because we are told to. Firstly, understand that alkalinity is a measurement of the total amount of carbonate, bicarbonate, and a few other ions. Coral utilizes bicarbonate. Calcium and bicarbonate are used by corals to produce calcium carbonate. Naturally, calcium and carbonate combine into insoluble calcium carbonate as these to molecules are naturally attracted to one another, This causes it to precipitate out of the water. Calcium is naturally much more abundant than carbonate and bicarbonate (alkalinity), so it does not deplete as quickly. If you have excess of either alkalinity or calcium, more precipitation will occur, therefore reducing the level of it and the other element. If you have a shortage of one element, corals cannot use the other and will not be able to build skeleton. Now, remember how calcium and carbonate can precipitate out as insoluble calcium carbonate? Here is where magnesium comes into play. Just as calcium and carbonate are attracted to each other, they are also highly attracted to precipitated calcium carbonate. So, precipitation will naturally pull more and more calcium and alkalinity from the water and leave it unusable to corals. Magnesium actually binds to the surface of the calcium carbonate crystal. In doing so, the magnesium ion has made the calcium carbonate precipitation less attracted to calcium and carbonate, leaving them free in the water column as a coral food. This is why tanks with low magnesium levels often don’t have much coral growth and have so much white precipitation around pumps and heaters. These three elements must all be kept within healthy levels for coral to be able to use any of them. Final Words While everyone in the aquarium hobby has their favorite brand of test kit or probe, their function is universal. While the above tests are typically more accurate than tritration tests, they are not always required to have a healthy tank but rather aim to simplify testing for the user. Most people overlook testing altogether and in turn can run into major problems with their tank, especially reefs. Even if you have been in the hobby for decades and haven’t felt the need to test your parameters, it’s a good idea to do so to ensure you are providing the best environment as possible. If all of your basic tests come back with good results and you still aren’t seeing the growth or color of your corals that you want, it may be time to test for the above trace elements or others that I have left off of this list. Either way, performing regular water parameter testing is a good habit that I believe every single hobbyist could benefit from. [generalhelp]
mcc says May 28, 2019 at 9:12 pm This is a good article. I’ve been very sloppy on maintenance and have to force myself to do it regularly. After all, I’m responsible for providing and excellent environment for the critterrs in my tank. Reply
Erica N Montano says May 13, 2019 at 4:49 pm I’m new to the hobby so testing is really difficult!! Reply
conner stumpf says May 13, 2019 at 4:56 pm Great read on some of the elements. With our ability now to supplement pretty much anything, it’s good to refresh on what the purpose of each is Reply
Victoria Brewer says May 13, 2019 at 5:01 pm The 3 Major elements are so essential to reefing and are fairly easy to test for everyone should test for them Reply
silvercityreefer says May 14, 2019 at 7:21 am I find the titration test kits to be the fastest and easiest way to text my parameters. However, I do have a Hanna Checker for Calcium and it’s much nicer to have an accurate result every time. I plan on purchasing addition checkers for Alkalinity & Phosphate as it’s important that these test results are as accurate as possible. Reply
Rhonda Swetnam says May 14, 2019 at 10:33 am Another great article! Love this website! Thank you! Reply
JJ8033 says May 18, 2019 at 4:08 pm So many books and articles say that you don’t need to do this in a nano tank. It’s confusing to try to figure out. I keep considering testing with Triton Labs to at least get a baseline. Reply
David Oreol says May 20, 2019 at 3:59 pm Thanks again for the information. I guess my next purchase will be additional test kits. 🙂 Reply
Mike says May 20, 2019 at 5:13 pm The amount of knowledge is mind boggling! I’m fairly new to reefing, only a couple years under my belt. I have yet to get to the stage where Its necessary to do the over the top testing…but I look forward to the science of it all Reply
Diana Aliprandi says May 20, 2019 at 7:06 pm Are use Hannah and Red Sea test kits about 2 to 3 times per week to check my water. I do need to send my order out to be fully tested. Thanks for the article Reply
Carol Mauch says May 20, 2019 at 10:52 pm Appreciating the informative articles. I knew magnesium was important, but now I know why! Reply
Dwayne Newell says May 21, 2019 at 1:10 pm Macroalgae is the best in grade and free of and hitchhikers. Reply
Jose Ponciano says May 27, 2019 at 11:29 am Because of you guys I went out and got the Hanna calcium Ph and kh and o boy it’s been very helpful and easy. Reply
Jorge says May 29, 2019 at 9:44 pm I did not know what the deal about trace elements was, but this helps me understand a bit more. Reply
Alyssa says June 3, 2019 at 1:59 pm I have a master test kit, but I need to get some more advanced testing so I can keep things in check. Great info on how important it is Reply
Kenneth Showman says June 3, 2019 at 7:51 pm Hanna checkers are by far the easiest testing solution. Along with Hanna checkers I constantly monitor some of my parameters with my Apex probes. I am going to be switching to the Triton method to eliminate water changes, so just wanted to say thanks for all the helpful info. Wasn’t sure how I should set up the refugium or which type of macroalgae to use, but with all the knowledgable info you guys provide, I know I’ll make the right choices. Reply
ems . says June 10, 2019 at 11:56 pm great article and feed back. i love these blog topics, always very in depth and informative. Reply
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