Low iodine and molybdenum? How and what to do?

[IPT]

I'm having STN on most of my SPS while my coraline and a select few SPS pieces have taken off. Had and ICP test done and my nitrates are way high (which is odd because I have been feeding and doing regular water changes the same way for a year). I'm sure I can get the nitrates down with WC's and more meticulous husbandry.

However, why would the iodine and molybdenum be falling even when doing about 10% WC weekly? Iodine was 25 and it should be 64ug/l and Molybdneum 1.38 and should be close to12ug/l. Also zinc was not detectable and apparently should be close to 2ug/l.

What is the best way to get it up and do I have to go slow or can I just jump it up? Any DIY methods? I live in AK and it will take a while to get any product here unless Petco has something I can use I'm probably out of luck.

Oh, it's a 120 SPS dominant reef and I am using IO salt with RO/DI water (ICP test was undetectable for everything) doing about a 10% WC weekly. I try to stay consistent with my routines and feeding (dry food Seaweed extreme, Benepellets, and New Life Spectrum marine fish food 2x daily) and brine shrimp and Mysis 2x/wk each on separate days). Oddly when the tank was setup (2 years ago) using some new dry rock seeded with a bunch of 20 years live rock from my old tank I was having issues with undtectable N03 and P04. I even started dosing and decided to just start feeding more). I dose KALK to keep up with demands (fixed amount). My KALK ran dry once and my ALK plumeted before I saw it and my tank has been on a roller coaster ever since)

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I would not be convinced either is a problem or is causing stn. Water changes cannot maintain rapidly depleting ions, despite the seemingly popular belief they can. Foods may be a bigger source of many trace elements.

That said, what did the rest of the icp look like?

 

[IPT]

I would not be convinced either is a problem or is causing stn. Water changes cannot maintain rapidly depleting ions, despite the seemingly popular belief they can. Foods may be a bigger source of many trace elements.

That said, what did the rest of the icp look like?

The thing that was awful was the N03! It was way high. Po4 wasn't great either but no where near as bad as the N03. I have no idea why it would be getting so high. it has averaged between 5-12 for the last 6 months. Its very perplexing. All the other pollutants were not detectable.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

My suggestion is to try a trace element mix like Tropic Marin A and K and see if there’s any benefit. The most rapidly depleting ions are typically iron and manganese and you may also benefit from these.

 

[IPT]

All of my corals have turned around a ton. I started dosing the Tropic Marin product and had my nitrates down to 30 (is now down to 12). Within 3 days of dosing the TM stuff I saw Better polyp extension, tissue regeneration and to my surprise way better blue coloration. This was even noted in my clams!

Oddly, i saw some recommendations for Acropower. One of the most common comments was better blue coloration. Coincidence?

Does anyone know the difference between the Tropic Marin stuff and Acropower and is one recommended over another for any particular reason?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Glad things look good!

These products are entirely different, so yes, coincidence.

Tropic Marin A and K adds inorganic trace elements.

Acropower consists of organic amino acids.

 

[IPT]

Glad things look good!

These products are entirely different, so yes, coincidence.

Tropic Marin A and K adds inorganic trace elements.

Acropower consists of organic amino acids.

Thanks Randy!

Man, this place is so lucky to have you around. I am sure I can speak for many when I say "thanks for everything you do around here!".

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Thanks Randy!

Man, this place is so lucky to have you around. I am sure I can speak for many when I say "thanks for everything you do around here!".

Thanks very much!