Strontium/Molybdenum supplements

[ofalegend]

Hey everyone. I was just reading the specifications on the Kent Liquid Calcium bottle and noticed it said it was absolutely essential to use the Kent Strontium/Molybdenum as well. I was curious as to your opinions? I am currently using the probuffer dKH, the liquid calcium, and well as the essential elements. I can start adding teh strontium/molybdenum if I need to, that isn't a problem, but I'm beginning to become concerned about all these additives. Is it possible to use *too many* additives? I was considering the three I am currently using, and the coral-vite or coral-accell, and the strontium/molybdenum if I must. Thoughts?
~M

 

[jim672]

I don't understand the chemistry involved but I'll try to repeat what I've been told: in order to allow maximum usefulness of the liquid calcium , you need to add the Stron./moly. I think the situation is analogous to adding fertilizer to your lawn....if you add lime regularly, the fertilizer is much more effective.
Remember, when adding "all these supplements", you're simply trying to replicate the chemicals available to our animals in their nature environment.
Jim

 

[blondenaso1]

Strontium is invloved in calcification. It allows the corals to optimize calcium in the formation of CaCO3 in their skeleton. I always thought that magnesium was more important then strontium, but I have recently discovered it was the other way around. Trace elements are readily used up by all the organisms in your tank. I have not heard of people overdosing with Stront/Moly, but I am sure it is possible. As with any supplement you should keep eye on the levels. I am not sure if you are supplimenting with Iodine, but that is an important one for many corals and inverts. You CAN overdose on iodine, so make sure you don't add too much.

 

[susiepan]

I use all of the above mentioned, at different intervalls inbetween...I started out only using a 1/4....to 1/2 tsp...to see what my readings would be on my testing...and SLOWLY increased the amount I used in comparison to what is in my tank...
Kent are well made products, I dont think I've ever seen anyone here say different...
I have been using them an my tank, and they do wonders...each item is for different needs of the reef...the back of the bottles will tell you why you should add each...
Gl
~Susie

 

[kdlbem]

I use mostly Kent products(Probuffer DKH,Calcium,Strontium,Iodine, and phytoplex), and my tank is doing very well. Things are growing rapidly, fish are healthy, coralline algae has almost completely covered the back since December.
I have thought about switching to tablets or blocks to make it easier, but the tank looks better than most LFS's reef tanks, so if it aint broke, don't fix it
Oh yeah, I use them all at half dose except the calcium, it seems to take the full dose daily to keep the reading over 400ppm. I'm also going to order the full line of salifert test kits soon, so I'll know how well the others are doing too.
HTH,
B

 

[kris walker]

I used to simply drip kalk and add Kent's coral vite every week. No water changes. Ca levels were stable around 440-450 ppm, alk at 11 dKH. THen I bought a Strontium test kit. Found out that I had basically 0 Sr. The coral vite was not putting enough in the tank every week to keep it up with demand. So I started adding St supplments. I need to do a measurement though, so I'll get back when I find out the current level, but I expect it will be much higher than before.
kris

 

[psumba]

I am using Kent's Iodine, Liquid Ca, and Str. adds.
I actually overdosed the Ca and found out the hardway that my Alk level was too low. My pH crashed and made my coral VERY unhappy. I am hoping and praying he grows back.
Moral - I now use Super dKH by Kent.
How long till I can expect to see Coralline growing on the back of my tank? I think I have seen minor growth so far but its on rocks and nothing anyone can notice except me because I look at my tank for hours.

 

[shootonsite]

psumba,
If you have some coralline on a rock or wall, place a powerhead right behind it. This will help spread the spores throughout the tank. Keep your calcium at around 400ppm or more.