Strontium and Iodine

[camarojweed]

I have always believed in don't add what you don't test for, so with my SPS reef I have never added these two...I use a Ca reactor and Kalk reactor and dose Mg via a 2 part mix I make when it is needed...other than that I just skim heavily, use carbon and Phosban, and water changes every two weeks...

Am I missing something by not adding these two? Should I be adding "trace Elements"?

I have good growth and color...just don't have the pop I see in some of the other photos...wondering if this would help...

I would start with just getting the test kits first to see where my levels are but didn't want to shell out the cash if these are not that big of a deal...

Thanks

Jason

[ReefWreak]

If you're doing water changes every two weeks, as well as adding calcium and alk through CA reactor AND kalk reactor, then I HIGHLY doubt that you're low on either of them.

Even if you are low on them, I highly doubt that raising their levels will make a difference in your coral coloration. Some thing I would look into is those 14k Coralvue MH bulbs that your sig says you're using. I've never heard anything good about a 14k Coralvue. Switch to a 12k or 10k Reeflux, and you'll get some better colors I imagine, as well as increased growth rates. Of course everything will also shine blue...

[Amphiprion]

If you have good results with what you are doing, don't change anything. Beyond that, I haven't seen any data that concretely supports the need to add it. Just stick with the current regimen.

[acrodave]

other than calcium and buffer ..if you are useing a good salt and doing water changes. i would not worry about adding any thing .

[camarojweed]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13086119#post13086119 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ReefWreak
Something I would look into is those 14k Coralvue MH bulbs that your sig says you're using. I've never heard anything good about a 14k Coralvue. Switch to a 12k or 10k Reeflux, and you'll get some better colors I imagine, as well as increased growth rates. Of course everything will also shine blue...

First, thank you all for your input.

This is something I have struggled with this tank since I built it...I do not want to be part of the bulb of the month club, but at 50 bucks a pop (or more) i have not been willing to jump ship on the coralvue bulbs...

I had 2 175W 20K coralvues on my 55 gallon SPS tank w/440 watts of VHO (2 10k and 2 Super Actinics) and I loved the color...i have really been thinking about getting another icecap 660 ballast and getting 2 superactinic bulbs...

But if you think just a change of the 14Ks to 12K reeflux or 10K would do the trick i am all ears...

Just missing the blue I thought I would still have with the 14Ks...

Like i said coral growth is good, color is good, everything looks like it should, but I have been more happy looking at the tank under my moon lights that seeing it with the 14Ks...

Sorry this is now off topic, but it looks like i do not have a supplement issue...but please feel free to chime in...

[ReefWreak]

If you like the 14k blue tank look, then I would personally go with XM20ks or Radiums. If you want a bit brighter of a tank, while still having plenty of blue, I would highly suggest the Reeflux 12ks. They were too blue for me, but I'm a 10k guy personally. My corals are not liking 10k right now though and are lightening up to an unhealthy level, but I think it's because I've got good reflectors now.

Here is a FTS with a Reeflux 12k on the left and an XM 10k on the right. The Reeflux isn't fully burnt in at this point yet, however it gives you an idea of how blue a 12k can be.

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/EricDKlein/FTS/photo#5161743080413670066"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/EricDKlein/R6Ix-8njKrI/AAAAAAAAAUA/v8HS1bqYqvI/s800/DSC_0403.jpg" /></a>