Trace Elements???

[Johnny Reef]

I am in the process of cycling my 55 gallon, which will eventually be a reef tank with soft corals and mushrooms. I know that it is important to supplement with calcium, strontium and iodine, but is there one mixture that covers all of these? Or do I have to buy a bottle for each element? Which brands do you use, and if you don't have a sump, how do you add it to the tank, directly?

Thanks in advance for any comments.

[Phill]

For soft coral and mushrooms all your need will be met by regulars water changes.

Trace elements can do more harm than good. Your salt mix (example InstantOcean) will contain all you need at the correct levels.

Have fun w/the cycle - Phill

[gregt]

I can't improve on Phill's post. I totally agree.

[Doug1]

With out a doubt, one of the traps we all fell into at one time or another is the trace elements game. If you do regular water changes with decent salt and use a good 2 part calcium suplement like B-ionic or Restore the trace element will take care of them selves. At the very least use a kalwasser drip and 10% weekly water change and its hard to go wrong

[slash7]

I agree wholeheartedly, take care of your calcium/alk, do regular water changes and keep your tank clean and conditions stable. You really don't need to worry about all those nice little chemicals everyone is trying to sell you.

[rookie888]

Thanks for the responses!!!